Activision Unveils Exclusive Guitar Hero(R): Warriors of Rock Partnership with Rock Legends Rush

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rush, one of the most influential rock bands in history, have joined together with Activision Publishing, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero®: Warriors of Rock to bring their seven-part suite from their classic 2112 album to the game's all-new, story-based Quest Mode this September.  For the first time ever, Guitar Hero® fans will embark on an epic voyage playing as eight Guitar Hero characters that transform into rock warriors who must join together to use their unique, game-changing powers to help the Demi-God of Rock take down "The Beast" to save rock.

"The music, the story and the journey of 2112 lends itself perfectly to the quest in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock," said Geddy Lee of Rush.  "In our story, the caves of 2112 are where our hero finds the lost guitar and this rediscovery of music is much like the Guitar Hero warriors' journey to find the Demi-God of Rock's Legendary guitar, which has been trapped in a cavern."  

"I love the idea of Guitar Hero; they have combined two great things – music and fun," said Alex Lifeson of Rush.  "I think it's a great way to introduce people of all ages to music of various styles by all kinds of different bands, while providing a launching pad for kids who want to get into playing music."

Within the narrative-driven journey, Rush and Guitar Hero fans alike will experience 2112 in a totally new and authentic way while traversing the exclusive three-part 2112 Rush-inspired venue and playing their way through the 20 minute, seven-part suite.  Additionally, each song transition will feature band members narrating liner notes from the 2112 album.  Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock will include:

• "2112 Pt. 1 – Overture"
• "2112 Pt. 2 – The Temples Of Syrinx"
• "2112 Pt. 3 – Discovery"
• "2112 Pt. 4 – Presentation"
• "2112 Pt. 5 – Oracle: The Dream"
• "2112 Pt. 6 – Soliloquy"
• "2112 Pt. 7 – Grand Finale"

"Our collaborations with legendary artists and bands, like Rush, are key to creating an original rock experience and have helped drive Guitar Hero's success," said David Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Guitar Hero.  "The journey that Rush's 2112 seven-part suite takes fans on fits flawlessly within the story Neversoft has expertly created for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and perfectly adds to the authenticity of the game."

In Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, join with friends on an epic rock journey to save rock n' roll.  Featuring the most music ever in a Guitar Hero game with an impressive 90+ track set list and a host of all-new gameplay features, living room legends and their friends can strum, drum and wail in the most immersive music videogame experience to date.  Delivering the quintessential rock music collection that focuses on guitar shredding hits from bands such as Black Sabbath, Slipknot and Megadeth and larger-than-life band anthems from Queen, Muse and KISS, players can unleash more rewards and unlockable content than ever before in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock's Quest Mode, the franchise's first ever story-based mode, and Quickplay+, which invites challenge-starved fanatics to test their rock skills.  Running on the powerful Guitar Hero engine that has been expanded and refined and with encores from the critically-acclaimed and fan favorite gameplay features that made Guitar Hero one of the most popular franchises of all-time – such as Party Play, Competitive modes and any combination of up to four instruments – the game offers a complete interactive and connected experience bringing friends and foes to the stage in the ultimate rock music experience.

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and by Vicarious Visions for the Wii™ system from Nintendo.  The game is rated "T" (Teen – Lyrics, Mild Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes) by the ESRB.  For more information about Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, please visit GuitarHero.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

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SOURCE Activision Publishing, Inc.