Christmas Lights Hero Puts Your Decorations to Shame

Email this| Posted Dec 14th 2009 7:00PM by Josh Loposer

Filed under: Music + Entertainment, Weird

Sick of those geeky Christmas lights displays choreographed to Manheim Steamroller? Wanna see what happens when you combine twinkle lights, Guitar Hero, and a ridiculous amount of time and effort?

According to Cnet, former Disney special effects guru Ric Turner has taken front yard Christmas light extravaganzas to a mesmerizing new level. Using a Nintendo Wii and few high tech lighting controllers from Light-O-rama, Ric has rigged up his very own neighbor-terrorizing, virtual guitar challenge: Christmas Light Hero.

Set to the tune of Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover," this LED sorcerer has transfixed over a hundred thousand viewers on YouTube (which aside from visiting this guy's house, is the best way to appreciate Christmas Light Hero) in only a few days.

Reportedly, Turner found a way to plug his trusty Nintendo Wii into the inputs of these magical lighting controllers, which in turn allowed him to convert his 21,268 lights into a playable (albeit highly challenging) version of the insanely popular video game. No kidding.

Challengers can step up to the guitar and attempt to shred while looking at nothing but the lights on Turner's garage door. The game is apparently set to "easy," but of course the Christmas light graphics are a bit more difficult to interpret.

An optional TV screen is available for those who need it. However, if you use the screen you're disqualified from the list of high scores and will never be remembered in the Christmas Light Hero hall of fame. Thus far, no one has made it through the entire Eric Johnson wail-a-thon error free.

Could you put your neighbors' uninspired Christmas decorations to shame with a similar interactive lighting display? Obviously it takes some expertise ... and a lot of guess work. According to Turner's interview with Make Online, "If the game and the lighting sequences start together, they will stay in very good sync through the length of the song ... I have some ideas to automate the initial show/game sync, but for now you have to push doorbell buttons at the right moments."

For those of you out there wondering if this was some kind of viral marketing campaign, this guy doesn't appear to have any relation to Activision (the game company that created Guitar Hero). Will he be forced to develop a relationship with Activision's copyright attorneys? Let's hope not.

As long as he's not charging admission, I bet he's OK. In fact, he probably should get paid for the free advertising.

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Incredible Christmas Lights

You think your holiday display is the best in the neighborhood? Chances are it can't hold a candle to these Christmas lights!

Ann Donnells

December 2009 Magazine Covers

Wrapped in a Bottega Veneta bikini and cardigan, 22-year-old Blake Lively heats up the cover of Marie Claire's 15th Anniversary Issue. The Gossip Girl bombshell and star of the upcoming flick, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, talks about her southern roots, going to 13 different schools and staying at Disneyland past midnight as a kid. Don't miss the mag's nine best diet strategies from around the world.

Marie Claire

Down-to-earth Carrie Underwood shines on the cover of this month's Lucky in a Rebecca Taylor jacket. The country singer reveals the secret behind her comfortable style through the piece that keeps her warm in Nashville, the bag she always relies on and the lip gloss that goes with everything. Plus: The perfect heels for under $50, gifts for under $10 and how to dress like a French pop star.

Lucky

Dakota Fanning poses on the cover of this month's Teen Vogue. The ex-child star talks about her role as a vampire in New Moon, her close friendship with co-star Kristen Stewart, and how she enjoys a normal life. Plus: A look at the mean girl epidemic, gorgeous holiday looks and 54 gifts for the holidays.

Teen Vogue

Fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker graces the December cover of Elle. The star of the upcoming Sex and the City 2 talks about her relationship, her perfume and her decision to use a surrogate to carry her twins. Also inside: Elle's book recommendations, chic and inexpensive gifts and 16 ways to wear a scarf.

Elle

Demi Moore sparkles on the December issue of W. Starring in two upcoming indie films, Happy Tears and The Joneses, the age-defying actress talks about Twitter, her hubby Ashton Kutcher, and her "cougar" title. Plus: The best new spas from Utah to Thailand, the invasion of hip DJs in New York and a look at Giorgio Armani's range.

W Magazine

Dressed in a Black Halo mini, Fergie glows on the cover of this month's Cosmopolitan. The singer talks about her image, gaining weight for her role in Nine and her honeymoon with hubby Josh Duhamel. Also inside: Why love is harder in the winter, how to get rid of that muffin top and 10 new rules for success.

Cosmopolitan

O, the Oprah Magazine celebrates the holidays with Ellen on four festive covers this month. Ellen talks about joining American Idol and her life with wife Portia DeRossi. Plus: 10 steps to stress-free holiday shopping, steals under $25, and Oprah's favorite gifts.

O, The Oprah Magazine

Add some sparkle to your holiday this year with Martha Stewart Living. With three covers devoted to decorating, recipe and gift ideas, you'll enjoy a festive holiday. Don't miss Martha's all-time favorite cookies.

Martha Stewart Living

Get into the Christmas Spirit with Woman's Day's Giant Issue full of 23 stocking stuffers and cheap decorating ideas. Don't miss the mag's Winter Health Guide.

Woman's Day

Get 198 ideas for the holidays in this month's Country Living. From festive decorations to frugal party tips, the mag reveals the secrets to a dazzling holiday. Plus: 75 gifts under $25.

Country Living

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ccrider 12-16-2009 @ 7:14AM

Ok....that kid would get to that maybe once a day..otherwise he would be wearing that guitar where the sun don't shine...

jst4gp 12-16-2009 @ 7:24AM

Hey AOL..... how about doing something with the dumb azz spammers on all of the stories! Thank you!

Laura DeMambro 12-16-2009 @ 5:01PM

That is way cool. I would love to do something like that! I would encourage my boys to play it all the time. To bad it wasn't Christmas music. This video really made me smile.

Barter4Bargains 12-16-2009 @ 7:48AM

WOW! Talk about Rocking Around The Christmas Tree!

angeltakio 12-16-2009 @ 8:26AM

Beautiful pun there.

Man, that was epic on a level I didn't even know existed!

catelynnw3 12-16-2009 @ 7:54AM

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!

Gordon 12-16-2009 @ 2:12PM

Good, yes; incredible, no. Incredible was "The Wizards Of Winter". This is good, but not that good. "The Wizards" were so incredible, the local authorities had to order him to shut it down. It was causing a monster traffic jam.

Lillie Wright 12-16-2009 @ 7:52AM

I LOVED IT!!!YOU GO BOY!!!! I HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS AGAIN!!

sonya 12-16-2009 @ 2:25PM

This is truly amazing! He looks young but he's very talented. I wouldn't even begin to guess how to set up something like that.
Keep it up! I loved it veyr much and I will be showing it to all my friend's!

Nadine 12-16-2009 @ 3:28PM

Sonya,

I don't believe he is playing the guitar. I think it is connected to the Wii machine and is guided by that. All he does is tap the guitar. It could probably be done without his input at all.