Rock Band to Exclusively Feature Guitar Peripheral Modeled After Iconic
Fender(R) Stratocaster(R) and In-Game Fender Branded Guitars, Basses and
Amps
Roland and BOSS Will Be Featured in Rock Band Through In-Game Branding and
Co-Marketing
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 8 /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 that Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
(FMIC) will have their instruments exclusively featured in the upcoming
videogame Rock Band(TM), an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to
experience and connect with music. In addition, Roland Corporation and BOSS
have agreed to have their brands featured within Rock Band.
To deliver the ultimate interactive music experience in Rock Band,
Harmonix and MTV have secured an agreement with Fender Musical Instruments
Corporation, the world's most respected manufacturer of electric guitars
and amplifiers, that will allow the Rock Band game controller peripheral to
be modeled after the legendary Fender Stratocaster, one of the most
enduring and iconic models of electric guitar in the world. In addition,
Fender guitars, basses and amps will be exclusively featured in the game.
"Fender is pleased to be part of Rock Band and the exciting opportunity
it offers passionate music fans and gamers," said Bill Mendello, CEO of
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. "Our friends at Harmonix have done
an amazing job of capturing the power and style of legendary Fender
products within the virtual gaming experience and delivering it all in the
spirit of rock 'n' roll."
To further raise the level of Rock Band's authenticity, Roland
Corporation, the world's leading innovator in electronic instruments, and
BOSS, recognized for its line of guitar effects pedals, have agreed to have
their brands featured in Rock Band in-game and via co-marketing.
"Part of Roland's mission is to bring people closer to the music they
love. Rock Band certainly fulfills that goal by bringing a deeply
interactive music experience to the world, and having Roland featured in
the game is a great honor," stated Dennis Houlihan, President and CEO of
Roland Corporation U.S.
"Like the Fender Stratocaster, BOSS effects pedals have a long
distinguished history," states BOSS U.S. President Paul Youngblood. "We've
worked with Fender on many projects in the past and we're honored to be
sharing this experience with them. Having the Strat(R) in Rock Band is
going to take the virtual world by storm and when it does, we'll be proud
to have the BOSS name and pedals right there with it."
"The Stratocaster has been the weapon of choice for many of the world's
legendary guitarists. Giving players the opportunity to rock out using a
guitar peripheral modeled after the Strat really adds to the authenticity
of the experience," said Alex Rigopulos, president and co-founder of
Harmonix. "Many of the staff here at Harmonix play Fender and Roland
instruments and use BOSS effects pedals in their own bands, so we are
thrilled to be able to work with these companies."
Rock Band will allow players to play solo or recruit bandmates and jam
side-by-side or virtually online, playing music from the greatest rock
artists of all time. 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 master recordings.
The title 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. For more information on Rock Band and
Harmonix Music Systems please visit http://www.rockbandgame.com and
http://www.harmonixmusic.com.
Electronic Arts will serve as the exclusive distribution and marketing
partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game in US, Europe and
Australia.
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 more than 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 complement 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 Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world's foremost
manufacturer of guitars, amplifiers and related equipment. Since 1946, its
name has become synonymous with all things rock 'n' roll. Iconic Fender
instruments such as the Telecaster(R), Stratocaster(R), Precision Bass(R)
and Jazz Bass(R) guitars are known worldwide as the instruments that
started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized by
today's guitarists and collectors. FMIC markets using the brand names
Fender(R), Squier(R), Guild(R), Gretsch(R), Jackson(R), Charvel(R), SWR(R),
Tacoma(R), Olympia(R) and Brand X(R). For more information, please visit
http://www.fender.com.
About Roland
Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution
of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia
products, and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland
Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA
90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 - for media use only).
http://www.RolandUS.com
About BOSS
Known around the world as the company that put the "stomp" in
"stompbox," BOSS is the division of Roland Corporation most easily
recognized for its legendary line of colorful guitar and bass effects
pedals. But beyond these killer pedals, BOSS has pushed the envelope for
over 30 years with innovative multi-effects, rhythm machines, personal
digital studios and other easy-to-use instruments for musicians of all
types. For more information about BOSS products and news visit
http://www.BOSSUS.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.
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.
Guitar Hero II (C) 2006 RedOctane, Inc. Guitar Hero is a trademark and
RedOctane is a registered trademark of RedOctane, Inc. All rights reserved.
Engine code (C) 2006 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Developed by Harmonix
Music Systems.
"PlaySTATION is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment
Inc.. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of
companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
"Rock Band Copyright (C) 2007 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights
Reserved."
SOURCE MTV
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Related links:
http://www.mtv.com
http://www.rockbandgame.com http://www.fender.com
http://www.RolandUS.com http://www.BOSSUS.com
CONTACT:
Harmonix, Tracie Snitker of Reverb
Communications, +1-209-586-1495 x104, Tracie@reverbinc.com for
Harmonix; MTV, Jeff Castaneda of MTV Communications,
+1-212-846-6774, jeff.castaneda@mtvstaff.com; EA, Bryce Baer of
EA PR, +1-650-628-5102, bbaer@ea.com
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