Annie Leung American gamer, Guitar Hero record holder Country: USA

1. The Guitar Hero Phenomenon
2. Record-Breaking Women in Gaming
3. Annie Le: Gaming Pioneer
4. Danny Johnson: Chasing Perfection
5. Guinness World Record and Beyond

The Guitar Hero Phenomenon

The year 2005 witnessed the birth of the ground-breaking video game phenomenon, 'Guitar Hero,' a simulation that allowed players to experience the thrill of playing the electric guitar with varying difficulty levels. By June 2009, 'Guitar Hero' had sold over 32 million copies worldwide, solidifying its status as the best-selling rhythm video game franchise. Its success was accompanied by numerous accolades, including the prestigious BAFTA award for 'Best Soundtrack.'

Record-Breaking Women in Gaming

The release of 'Guitar Hero' ignited a competitive spirit among gamers eager to establish new records and push their gaming prowess to unprecedented levels. In September 2010, 25-year-old Annie "Extasy" Le made history by setting a new world record for the highest score in 'Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock' among female players. She achieved an astounding 789349 points while conquering the notoriously challenging song 'Through the Fire and Flames' on the expert difficulty level. Her record remained unchallenged for five years.

Annie Le: Gaming Pioneer

A California native, Annie Le has been an avid gamer since childhood. However, her status as a formidable 'gamer girl' solidified in 2004 when she became immersed in the first-person shooter game 'Unreal Tournament.' Her passion for music eventually led her to the 'Guitar Hero' series. Le became determined to encourage more women to participate in competitive gaming. She stated, "I have had to work hard to prove that I am just as good as other gamers, male or female. Ultimately, I want to be known as a great gamer, not just a great female gamer."

Danny Johnson: Chasing Perfection

Hot on Le's heels was Danny Johnson from the United States, who claimed the world record for the highest score in 'Guitar Hero III' on a single track. He achieved an incredible 985206 points at the 'Book Expo' held in New York on May 30, 2009. Notably, Johnson also chose the formidable 'Through the Fire and Flames' song. Johnson, along with Scott Johnson, extended their record-breaking streak in 'Guitar Hero 5' in 2010. They scored a combined 4442161 points while playing 'Do You Feel Like We Do?' on the drums and guitar, with an accuracy of 99% (best streak: 2696).

Guinness World Record and Beyond

Annie Le's Guinness World Record recognition in 2011 was a pivotal moment for her. Today, she continues to strive for excellence in gaming. While the popularity of the 'Guitar Hero' series declined in 2009 due to a lack of updates, the franchise regained momentum in 2015 with the release of 'Guitar Hero Live,' offering an array of new tracks and challenges to aspiring guitar heroes.