The release date of Guitar Hero World Tour, October 26th, is fast approaching. Just as with Guitar Hero III, Activision is doing a Sunday launch — but unlike that game, GH WT will have a strong lineup of downloadable content from the outset, and Activision announced the songs today. That has been one of the most important advantages that the Rock Band games have had over the Guitar Hero series — regular, high-quality DLC — so this is a good start for World Tour.
First up is a three-pack of R.E.M. songs, all off of Accelerate, their most recent album: “Horse to Water,” “Man-Sized Wreath,” and “Supernatural Superserious.” Those tracks will be sold exclusively on Xbox Live for two weeks starting October 30th (presumably, they’ll show up on the PlayStation Store afterwards). A Classic Rock Track Pack — featuring Boston’s “Rock & Roll Band,” Foreigner’s “Hot Blooded,” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” — will be available at launch (although I certainly wouldn’t classify the last song as “classic rock”).
In addition — and I know that Dtoider PetiePal will be ecstatic to hear this — “No Rain” by Blind Melon will also be available “during the launch week.” (And in case you hadn’t figured it out, the header image features the five albums that these songs are taken from, clockwise from top left.) Finally, the game’s Guitar Duels, which are original compositions from Zakk Wylde and Ted Nugent, will be downloadable for free at launch, so you can play them outside of your encounters with them during the GH WT career mode.
Not only are these songs great additions to the game, but I’m elated to report that Activision has finally wised up: all of the aforementioned tracks will be available for individual purchase. In other words, users will no longer be forced to buy packs with songs they don’t care about, just to get the songs they do want. No pricing was mentioned in the press release, but it’s probably safe to assume that the same $6.25 per three-song pack will apply.
R.E.M., BLIND MELON, METALLICA, AND CLASSIC ROCK ANTHEMS HEADLINE LAUNCH WEEK LINEUP FOR GUITAR HERO® WORLD TOUR
SANTA MONICA, CA – October 9, 2008 – With music ranging from one of the first and most influential alternative rock bands, R.E.M., to the timeless GRAMMY® award-winning rock anthem “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced a rich and diverse lineup of launch week downloadable content for the highly-anticipated Guitar Hero® World Tour. Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for two weeks starting October 30, the R.E.M. Track Pack features three songs, which can also be downloaded as singles, from the band’s newest album, Accelerate, “Horse to Water,” “Man-Sized Wreath” and “Supernatural Superserious.”
Available at the launch of Guitar Hero World Tour is the Classic Rock Track Pack that offers fans three rocking party anthems “Rock and Roll Band” by Boston, “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner and “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, also available for download individually.
Created specifically for Guitar Hero World Tour, the Guitar Duels, original compositions by Ted Nugent and Zakk Wylde, will be available for free at launch to download and play outside of the Career.
The 1990’s era-defining “No Rain” by alternative rock group Blind Melon will be available as downloadable content during the launch week of Guitar Hero World Tour. The breakthrough single off the band’s quadruple platinum, self-titled album reached No. 1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock and U.S. Modern Rock charts and firmly planted the group in 1990s pop culture.
Fans who have been shredding to Metallica’s critically acclaimed Death Magnetic on Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock since its day-and-date release with the album need not purchase the album again as it is forward compatible and will integrate seamlessly with Guitar Hero World Tour. The Death Magnetic downloadable album, compatible with both Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Guitar Hero World Tour, will continue to be available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and in the PLAYSTATION®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment.
The R.E.M Track Pack, Classic Rock Track Pack and “No Rain” single will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and in the PLAYSTATION®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment.
When the house lights go down on October 26, a new generation of guitarists, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with Guitar Hero World Tour. The latest installment in the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless controllers with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online for the first time ever. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators will also be able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.
Guitar Hero World Tour is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The Wii™ version is being developed by Vicarious Visions. The PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system version is being developed by Budcat. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information on Guitar Hero World Tour, please visit worldtour.guitarhero.com.
