Activision Shreds New Details on Next Guitar Hero(TM) Game |
Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Come Out, the Third Installment of
Guitar Hero Rocks to a Whole New Level
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- After warming their
amps in the basement garage to rocking sold out shows at Stonehenge, fans
of Activision, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) wildly popular Guitar Hero(TM)
franchise will now be able to shred like never before with the next
iteration of the game that will be available this fall. The new game will
be released on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and
PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360(TM) video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft, and Wii(TM) video game system from
Nintendo.
Turning it up to 11, Guitar Hero fans will channel their inner rock god
using Gibson Guitar's Les Paul and Kramer models as the industry standard.
In addition, players will experience an incredible number of newly added
features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired
battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content
and authentic rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also
allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary
rock status.
While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior
legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on
multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from
many of the gnarliest rock songs ever recorded. Delivering more master
tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all
the major and independent music record labels and publishers to allow
unrivaled access to their deep history of music catalogs, along with
supplying artists' original recordings for even greater authenticity.
The initial list of face-melting awesomeness includes:
* Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
* Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
* Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
* The Metal (by Tenacious D)
* My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
* Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
* Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
* School's Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
* Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)
* Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
* Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)
For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash
and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform.
The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as
removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their
guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be
integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience. Gibson
Guitar's Les Paul model will be the battle axe of choice, and an industry
standard for all rock gods on the Xbox 360(TM), PLAYSTATION(R)3 system, and
Wii(TM). After much anticipation, PlayStation(R)2 system fans will also be
receiving a new exclusive shape as well, the classic Kramer guitar, also a
Gibson brand, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design,
pickups, electronics, and construction for furious finger fretting.
"The development team at Neversoft has been exceptional, and we've been
able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player game play
modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that
our fans have been asking for. Also, many of the top bands and songs we've
tried to get in the past are now on board, and we've definitely got some
giant aces in the hole to say the least," said Dusty Welch, head of
publishing at RedOctane. "In addition, offering a new line of Gibson
wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic
rock star experience like no other."
The next iteration of Guitar Hero, published by RedOctane(R) and
developed by Neversoft, is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information
about Guitar Hero, please visit the dedicated community site
http://www.guitarherogame.com.
About Gibson Guitar:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major
style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars,
mandolins, and banjos. Gibson's HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar represents the
biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894
in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson
Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro,
Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin
Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine
Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering,
Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson's website at http://www.gibson.com or
http://www.gibson.com/press
About Activision, Inc.:
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a
leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive
entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net
revenues of $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United
Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Spain, the
Netherlands and South Korea. More information about Activision and its
products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is
located at http://www.activision.com.
Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: The statements
made in this press release that are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. The company cautions readers of this press release that a
number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results
to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the findings of the
special sub-committee, the effect of the special sub-committee's review and
conclusions on, and other developments in, the informal inquiry opened by
the SEC in July 2006 and the derivative litigation filed in July 2006
against certain current and former directors and officers of the company,
the possibility that additional claims and proceedings will be commenced,
including additional stockholder litigation, employee litigation, and
additional actions by the SEC and/or other regulatory agencies, and direct
and indirect expenses and diversion of management time resulting from or
relating to the special sub-committee review and related regulatory
proceedings and litigation, the company's ability to timely file required
reports with the SEC, and the possibility that the company will be subject
to delisting from The Nasdaq Stock Market due to its inability to timely
file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or failure
to satisfy other requirements for continued listing. Other factors that
could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from
those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release
include, without limitation, other litigation (unrelated to stock option
granting practices), sales of the company's titles, shifts consumer
spending trends, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game
market, the company's ability to predict consumer preferences among
competing hardware platforms (including next-generation hardware), declines
in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays,
retail acceptance of the company's products, adoption rate of new hardware
and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and
industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of
relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers,
international economic and political conditions, natural disasters,
integration of recently acquired subsidiaries, and identification of
suitable future acquisition opportunities. These important factors and
other factors that potentially could cause actual future results to differ
materially from current expectations are described in our filings with the
SEC, including the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K,
quarterly report on Form 10- Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Readers of
this press release are referred to such filings. The forward-looking
statements in this press release are based upon information available to
the company as of the date of the release, and the company assumes no
obligations to update any such forward-looking statement. The company may
change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without
notice, based upon any changes in the enumerated factors or in the
company's assumptions, or otherwise, and forward-looking statements
believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to
risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the
company's control and may cause our actual results to differ materially
from our current expectations.
(C) 2006-2007 Activision Publishing, Inc. Guitar Hero is a trademark
and Activision and RedOctane are registered trademarks of Activision
Publishing, Inc. All Gibson marks, logos, trade dress, guitar models and
related rights provided pursuant to license from Gibson Guitar Corp.
"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered
trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Used with Permission. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the
Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. (c) 2006 Nintendo.
All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their
respective owners. All rights reserved.
SOURCE Activision, Inc.
back to topRelated links:
CONTACT:
Gaming Media, Bryan Lam, Senior PR Specialist
of RedOctane, Inc., +1-408-481-9121, ext. 143,
blam@redoctane.com; or Consumer Media, Lilit Baron,
+1-310-694-3102, Lilit_Baron@bhimpact.com, or Angie Newman,
+1-310-694-3116, Angie_Newman@bhimpact.com, both of Bender Helper
Impact, for Activision, Inc.
