Guitar Hero

August 8, 2008 – After performing in countless sold-out arenas and amphitheatres throughout the world, rock’s defining frontman Ozzy Osbourne – who has sold over 100 million records worldwide in his four decade career – will be playing to a new audience this fall as he makes his videogame debut in Activision Publishing, Inc.’s Guitar Hero World Tour.

Budding rockstars around the world will have the opportunity to live out their ultimate fantasy on the virtual OZZFest stage, playing as Ozzy, or alongside him, as he wails to iconic rock track “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” both from his quintuple platinum debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz. OZZFest, now it its 13th year, has also been created digitally as an in-game venue exclusively for Guitar Hero World Tour to host the heavy metal rock legend. Read more

July 22, 2008 – World renowned for their amazing shredding abilities, three legendary guitar artists make their virtual debut in Activision Publishing, Inc.’s Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock. The Guitar Virtuoso Track Pack continues the ultimate rock experience with three fresh master tracks set to storm living rooms across the globe on July 24.

Experience influential guitarist Joe Satriani’s soulful hit, “Surfing with the Alien,” get blown away with guitar slinger Steve Vai’s reflective, “For the Love of God,” and feel the avant-garde compositions of underground rock’s eccentric guitarist, Buckethead, as he shreds “Soothsayer,” at hyper-speed. Read more

July 21, 2008 -- The iconic legacy of late singer/guitarist Jimi Hendrix continues in the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour video game from Activision Publishing, Inc. One of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, Hendrix will be featured in the game as a playable character, along with two of his most recognizable master tracks, Purple Haze (Live) recorded in 1969 at the San Diego Sports Arena and The Wind Cries Mary. Additional exclusive songs from the legendary artist will follow as downloadable content.

”Guitar Hero games have become the virtual rock stage for the industry’s most beloved artists and Guitar Hero World Tour continues that tradition by honoring the great Jimi Hendrix and celebrating some of his greatest work”, said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Activision Blizzard. “His presence in the game will serve to satisfy multiple generations of his fans and Guitar Hero devotees, as well as create new fans by reintroducing his genre-defining guitar style through the unique Guitar Hero experience.” Read more

July 18, 2008 -- Hands-On Mobile, Inc., in partnership with Activision Publishing, Inc., today announced the availability of Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass for mobile phones. The game is available today on select carriers nationwide.

Backstage Pass adds a whole new dimension to the Guitar Hero universe and offers more than 25 hours of gameplay. Players assume the identities of Axel Steel or Judy Nails and promote their band and music on TV and radio, build buzz and street cred, create demo tapes, sign record contracts, handle press interviews, rehearse songs and play shows. By achieving certain career goals, players can unlock several guitars to strengthen their performance. Players can also earn in-game money, which can be used to buy new guitars to play at a variety of venues in an effort to gain the attention of record labels and soar to the top of the charts. Read more

June 23, 2008 – After playing to sold-out crowds in living rooms around the world, the blockbuster video game Guitar Hero is hitting the road with Guitar Hero: On Tour for Nintendo DS, Activision, Inc. today announced. Available now at retail outlets nationwide, Guitar Hero: On Tour brings a new dimension to handheld gaming and gives fans the ability to shred along to their favorite tunes with complete portability.

Packaged with the revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral that fits snugly into Nintendo DS, and a unique Guitar Hero pick-stylus, Guitar Hero: On Tour delivers a unique experience by challenging handheld gamers to rock out and prove their shredding skills on one of the most diverse set lists ever offered in a Guitar Hero game, including master track hits from Nirvana, OK Go, No Doubt, blink-182 and Bloc Party. Read more

June 12, 2008-- Most musicians dream of one day reaching platinum success. A new Nintendo DS bundle lets aspiring axe shredders claim that coveted status right from day one. The new Silver/Black Nintendo DS branded with the Guitar Hero logo will be available exclusively as part of a limited-time bundle with Guitar Hero: On Tour. For the first time, this smash-hit franchise is playable on a portable video game system using the revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral and fully tapping into the distinctive abilities of the Nintendo DS hardware.

Available on June 22, 2008, at North American retailers nationwide, the bundle provides a cool combo package for grads about to head off to college as well as summertime, road-tripping rockers of all ages. Read more

June 5, 2008 – Coming to a console near you, living room rock stars will soon be able to shred to an assortment of new master tracks on Activision, Inc.’s Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with five new song packs releasing throughout the month of June. Two of the five packs will let gamers rock out with three headline acts from the Isle of Wight festival and tunes from the timeless rock icon, Motörhead.

Reliving one of the most memorable performances of the 2007 Isle of Wight festival, Kasabian’s master recording of “Shoot the Runner” joins 2008 headliners The Sex Pistols and Kaiser Chiefs in the Isle of Wight pack. Available on June 12th, the track pack also features Kaiser Chief’s “I Predict a Riot” which climbed all the way to #9 on the UK Singles Chart. The Sex Pistols, who went into the studio for the first time in 30 years to re-record “Anarchy in the U.K.” specifically for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, round out the track pack with a live rendition of “Problems,” recorded during their 30th anniversary tour stop at Brixton Academy in London. Read more

May 22, 2008 – When the house lights go down this fall, a new generation of axe shredders, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with Activision, Inc.’s Guitar Hero World Tour. The latest installment from the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, Guitar Hero World Tour will transform music gaming by marrying Guitar Hero’s exhilarating guitar gameplay, with a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes. The game will feature a slick newly redesigned guitar, a genuine electronic drum kit and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock and roll anthems, along with online Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands.”

Delivering the largest on-disc set list in a music-rhythm game to-date, Guitar Hero World Tour is comprised entirely of master recordings from some of the greatest classic and modern rock bands of all-time including Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles, Sublime and many more. Additionally, the game will offer significantly more localized downloadable music than ever before on all of the next-generation consoles. Budding rock stars will also be given creative license to fully customize everything from their characters’ appearance and instruments to their band’s logo and album covers. Read more

April 30, 2008 – Rock out for a good cause! Activision, Inc. has partnered with the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation to host a Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock charity challenge benefiting seriously ill children and their families.

Now open for registration at www.GuitarHero.com, fans will compete to get the highest score possible playing Monster’s “Matchbook Romance” during the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock challenge. Activision will donate up to $55,000 to the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation by donating up to $1 for each participant who registers to play in the event, and $100 for every 1,000 points scored by the challenge’s highest individual score. The funds will go directly to Starlight’s programs, helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Read more

April 17, 2008 – Rock heavyweights Def Leppard have partnered with Activision Inc.’s  Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on an epic three-song track pack that will give fans an exclusive opportunity to sample the band’s #1 new radio single, “Nine Lives,” five days before their upcoming studio album Songs from the Sparkle Lounge releases on April, 29, 2008. The single is the result of Def Leppard’s groundbreaking collaboration with country music legend Tim McGraw, and will be featured on their highly anticipated upcoming record Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, the band’s first new studio release since 2006’s YEAH , which begins yet another remarkable new chapter in the band’s 30-year recording career.

The track pack also features live versions of “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages,” two of Def Leppard’s most beloved chart-toppers from their multi-platinum Pyromania album. Read more