We're looking for new writers to join us!

Guitar Hero III gets a little anarchy

by: Chuck -
More On: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Activision announced today that the Sex Pistols have re-recorded their classic song "Anarchy in the UK" for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.  This is the second band that they've gotten to re-record one of their songs (In Living Colour is re-recording "Cult of Personality" for the game as well).  It's certainly a nice addition to the sound track and it's nice to see Guitar Hero III starting to differentiate itself from Rock Band.

 

THE SEX PISTOLS

RE-RECORD ‘ANARCHY IN THE U.K.

FOR GUITAR HERO™ III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

 

Famous for Kick Starting a Musical and Cultural Revolution, Original Members of

The Sex Pistols Enter the Studio for the First Time in 30 Years

 

SUNNYVALE, CA – September 25, 2007 – Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Sex Pistols, who famously turned down the award, recently returned to the studio to re-record “Anarchy in the U.K.,” which will be included in Guitar Hero™ III: Legends of Rock as a master track. Now, fans can perform their own live version of the punk anthem in the next installment of the #1 best-selling music and rhythm video game franchise.

 

The Sex Pistols were an obvious choice for Guitar Hero, having established themselves as the definitive punk band of the 1970s. Unable to locate the original multi-tracks for inclusion in the game, Activision invited the band back into the studio to re-record a couple of songs including “Anarchy in the U.K.” Original members John Lydon on vocals, guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook re-teamed with producer Chris Thomas, utilizing the original analog sound desk (circa 1969) that was built for George Martin at Air Studios, London, England in order to maintain the classic sound.

 

Thirty years ago this fall, the song was first included on The Sex Pistols’ only studio album, “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” which will be re-issued on vinyl on October 29, 2007, in its exact original format, including poster and Submission 7”.  The single ‘Anarchy In The UK’ will also be re-issued on vinyl on October 1, along with three other classic singles throughout October. Celebrating this milestone, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will be sponsoring the historic Sex Pistols show at The Brixton Academy in London taking place on November 8, 2007. 

 

John Lydon stated that “Re-recording them [the songs]--what a stress you put on us but we rose to the occasion I think…admirably!” Adding that, “a bit of anarchy in a video game is alright by me.”

 

“It was great for Guitar Hero to, in a way, get us back in the studio. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out but it actually turned out great and I think everyone held their own,” said Steve Jones.  “I like it [Guitar Hero] because my friends’ kids like it. And I like what kids like.”

 

Guitar Hero fans have been requesting more punk rock in the game since its first iteration,” said Tim Riley, Activision worldwide executive of music. “We are honored that The Sex Pistols went into the studio after 30 years, so that we could have a song from the most renowned punk band of all time in the game.”

 

“We are proud to have joined forces with such a legendary and influential band as The Sex Pistols for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock,” said Kai Huang, president and co-founder of RedOctane.  “We are very excited to partner with them on their 30th Anniversary and expose them to an entirely new generation of fans through the game.”  

 

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will include explosive new content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues.  Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. 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 game will feature a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by such legendary artists as Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello.  The sequel also will offer a vast array of downloadable content including songs from some of the most popular European bands.

 

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, published by RedOctane® and developed by Neversoft, is rated ‘T’ for Teen by the ESRB and will be available October 28, 2007.  For more information about the Guitar Hero franchise, please visit the dedicated community site: www.guitarhero.com

 

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 $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

 

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan 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 www.activision.com.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:  Information in this press release that involves Activision’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  In this release they are identified by references to dates after the date of this release and words such as “will,” “will be,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes”, “may”, “expects,” “intends,” and similar expressions.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, sales of Activision’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision’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 Activision’s products, adoption rate and availability 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, customers, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, limitations on our ability to issue stock and options and foreign exchange rate changes.  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, the further implementation, acceptance and effectiveness of the remedial measures recommended or adopted by the special sub-committee of independent directors established in July 2006 to review Activision’s historical stock option granting practices, the board and Activision; the outcome of the SEC’s formal investigation and the derivative litigation filed in July 2006 against certain current and former directors and officers of Activision relating to Activision’s stock option granting practices, the possibility that additional claims and proceedings will be commenced, including additional stockholder litigation, employee litigation, and additional action by the SEC and/or other regulatory agencies, other litigation (unrelated to stock option granting practices),.  , and the risks identified in Activision’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and recent reports on Form 8-K.  The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision as of the date of this release, and Activision assumes no obligations to update any such forward-looking statement.  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 our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.