Creators of Guitar Hero(TM) Franchise Partners with Major Record Labels and
Music Publishers for Unprecedented Access to Artist Catalogs and Original
Masters for New Game
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix, developer of the
blockbuster Guitar Hero(TM) franchise, MTV: Music Television, a division of
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and Electronic Arts
(Nasdaq: ERTS) today announced Rock Band, an all-new platform for music
fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. Rock Band will
allow gamers to perform music from the world's biggest rock artists with
their friends as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone
peripherals, in addition to offering deep online connectivity. Built on
unprecedented deals with the world's biggest record labels and music
publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock
and include many of the master recordings from the biggest songs and
artists of all time. Rock Band is slated for release on PLAYSTATION(R)3
computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment
system from Microsoft(R) in holiday 2007.
The leading music publishers - EMI Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell
Music - are allowing unrivaled access to their catalogs of incredible songs
for use in Rock Band. The record labels - EMI Music, Hollywood Records,
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group's Universal Music
Enterprises and Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment - have agreed to
supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game.
"Harmonix was founded to create new ways for everyone to experience the
pleasure and satisfaction that comes from playing music. Our work on Guitar
Hero was an instrumental step toward that goal," stated Alex Rigopulos, co-
founder and CEO of Harmonix. "But Rock Band is Harmonix's most ambitious
project to date, and it will take music gameplay to an entirely new level.
MTV has given us the freedom and the resources to really swing for the
fences and make the game we've always wanted to make."
"Our vision for Rock Band is to completely change the way people
interact with and enjoy the music they love," said Jeff Yapp, EVP, MTV
Program Enterprises. "By joining forces with EA and the music industry's
largest record labels and publishers, we are striving to create a
groundbreaking new platform that allows people to connect with their
favorite music and artists in ways they never have before."
"Rock Band is a revolutionary new way for gamers and music fans to
experience music," said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager
of EA Partners. "The team at EA Partners is thrilled to help MTV and
Harmonix launch this incredible game on the global stage and get it into
the hands of gamers worldwide."
As previously announced, Electronic Arts will serve as the exclusive
distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for
the game in US, Europe and Australia.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please
visit http://www.rockbandgame.com and http://www.harmonixmusic.com.
About MTV Networks:
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the
world's leading creators of programming and content across all media
platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the
following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2,
VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV,
CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL
SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these
networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its
audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than
200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless
and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements,
joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming
services can be seen worldwide.
About MTV Games:
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing
high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV
audience and complements the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc:
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established
in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented
videogames. The company pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US with
the introduction of Frequency in 2001 and Amplitude in 2003. Harmonix was
founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent
new ways for non- musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from
making music. Harmonix is best known as the creator of blockbuster titles
Guitar Hero(TM) and Guitar Hero II(TM), the Karaoke Revolution series of
singing games, and EyeToy: Antigrav. For more information please visit:
http://www.harmonixmusic.com
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California,
is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded
in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers, cellular
handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four
brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In
fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold
more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is
http://www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press
releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
Guitar Hero II (C) 2006 RedOctane, Inc. Guitar Hero is a trademark and
RedOctane is a registered trademark of RedOctane, Inc. All rights reserved.
Game code (C) 2007 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Developed by Harmonix Music
Systems.
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", and the "PS" Family logo are
registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. EyeToy is a
trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox
360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
MTV Contact:
Jeff Castaneda
MTV Communications
jeff.castaneda@mtvstaff.com
(212) 846-6774
EA Contact
Bryce Baer
Electronic Arts
bbaer@ea.com
(650) 867-5208
Harmonix Media Contact:
Tracie Snitker
Reverb Communications
Tracie@reverbinc.com
(209) 586-1495 x104
SOURCE MTV
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Related links:
http://www.mtv.com
http://info.ea.com http://www.harmonixmusic.com
CONTACT:
Jeff Castaneda of MTV Communications,
+1-212-846-6774, or jeff.castaneda@mtvstaff.com, or Bryce Baer of
Electronic Arts, +1-650-867-5208, or bbaer@ea.com , or Tracie
Snitker of Reverb Communications for Harmonix, +1-209-586-1495
ext. 104, or Tracie@reverbinc.com
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