Archive for August, 2009

Grunge rock pioneer and icon Kurt Cobain to make his video game debut this September in Guitar Hero 5

In-Game Model of Former Lead Singer and Guitarist of Nirvana to Perform Two Hit Singles from the Ten-Times Platinum Album Nevermind in Guitar Hero 5

Remembered as one of the most iconic artists in the history of alternative rock, Kurt Cobain’s enduring legacy continues with his video game debut as one of five exclusive in-game artists in Guitar Hero® 5. The former lead singer and guitarist of Nirvana will be featured as a playable character, performing two of the band’s hit singles from their 1991 genre-defining album Nevermind: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and a special, previously unreleased live recording of “Lithium.” The band’s breakthrough hit and one of the greatest rock songs of all time, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” helped define the 1990s and will speak to a whole new generation in Guitar Hero 5.

“Kurt Cobain is one of the most recognizable frontmen in rock ‘n’ roll history and it’s an honor to have two of Nirvana’s masterpieces included in Guitar Hero 5,” said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Activision. “This is the first time the original recording of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ has ever been licensed in an entertainment property and we’re thrilled to offer Guitar Hero® fans exclusive access to the unreleased live version of ‘Lithium.’”

Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to date comprised of master tracks from more than 80 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts; including Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut. Among the first-time-ever features of Guitar Hero 5 are: Party Play, where players can jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly; RockFest, a comprehensive competitive experience available featuring five new head-to-head modes playable online or in your living room; and the ability to play the entire set-list from the first time the game is turned on.

Guitar Hero 5 refines the player experience, enhances the art style and redesigns core features such as GHTMMusic Studio, making it the most accessible, fun-to-play and authentic experience for seasoned music gamers as well as first-time players. New innovations such as Band Moments, where bands are rewarded for hitting special note streams together and song challenges where gamers are tasked to play through a song a specific way, add a new competitive layer of excitement and accomplishment to the music rhythm genre.

Published by Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), Guitar Hero 5 is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and by Vicarious Visions for the WiiTM system from Nintendo. Budcat is developing Guitar Hero 5 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The game is rated “T” for “Teen” by the ESRB. For more information about Guitar Hero 5, please visit GH5.GuitarHero.com.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Character and Map Pack Plus available for download

Megan Fox to Challenge Fans Online Using the New Content on Xbox LIVE

New Characters, Maps and More Have Arrived for Fans of the Original TRANSFORMERS Animated Television Series and Recent Blockbuster Films

The battle for earth rages on as Activision Publishing, Inc announced today that the Transformers™: Revenge of the Fallen Character and Map Pack Plus is available now for download on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The massive content pack will include eleven playable characters, three all-new maps for online multiplayer game modes, and a brand new “Expert” difficulty setting for the single player campaigns.

Megan Fox, one of Hollywood’s most sought after young actresses and star of both the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie and video game, will be on Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network on Saturday, 29th August at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to challenge fans in multiplayer matches using the new content.

Fans of the original TRANSFORMERS television series can take a trip down memory lane, as new characters include “Generation One” versions of OPTIMUS PRIME, MEGATRON, STARSCREAM and SUNSTORM, while fans of the blockbuster movies will be excited by the additions of SOUNDWAVE, SIDESWIPE, JAZZ and JETFIRE. In addition, new skins are available for fan-favourite characters including Stealth Colours BUMBLEBEE, “Generation One” Colours RATCHET and “Generation One” Colours SIDESWIPE. All characters can be used in both the single player campaign and multiplayer modes, with the exception of JETFIRE, who is only available in multiplayer.

Additionally, three new multiplayer maps extend the diverse set of battlefields on which players can battle with or against their friends. Courtyard is set on the U.S. east coast, where players battle in a metropolitan setting surrounded by open skies and tall skyscrapers. Hillside takes players to the urban backdrop of Cairo, where players will fight in the war-torn streets and alleyways of a ruined cityscape. Sandstorm transports players to yet another section of Cairo, populated with low buildings and wide-open regions perfect for instantaneous, frenetic action.

For players who have mastered the single-player campaigns, the new “Expert” difficulty mode tests players’ skills with more difficult enemies and a whole new set of time challenges, along with corresponding leaderboards. This exciting downloadable content pack also features new Xbox 360 Achievements and PLAYSTATION 3 Trophies.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Character and Map Pack Plus is currently available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 800 Microsoft Points and in the PlayStation®Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system for £7.99.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is rated PG by the BBFC; the Windows PC version was developed by Beenox Studios and is also rated PG; the distinct Wii and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system versions were developed by Krome Studios and are rated PG; two unique AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON-specific Nintendo DS versions were developed by Vicarious Visions and are rated PEGI 7+; the PSP system version was developed by Savage Entertainment and is rated PG by the BBFC.

For more information on the game, visit www.TransformersGame.com.