Activision partners with the USO, brings games to troops

11:23 AM on 11.07.2008   |   Dale North

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Activision is using both Call of Duty: World at War and Guitar Hero: World Tour to bring entertainment to America's troops this holiday season. They're working with the United Service Organizations (USO) to bring a taste of home to service people around the world. 

For the Veterans Day launch of World at War, Activision will hold launch events at GameStop locations in San Francisco and Washington D.C. where fans can play a real-time game against active servicemen and women. My guess is that they'll have a leg up on the non-military people. At the D.C. location, Activision will give $10 of every copy purchased to the USO, up to $20,000.

As for Guitar Hero: World Tour, Activision has partnered with 98.7 FM KYSR in Los Angeles to support the release of their 2008 Live CD project.  Portions of the sales of this disc will go to support troops around the world. There will be a launch party at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park on November 21, and anyone with a military ID will be admitted for free. Activision has also donated over $100,000 worth of Guitar Hero III to the USO, where they will be installed in USO gaming lounges and military bases around the world. 

ACTIVISION PUBLISHING PARTNERS WITH USO TO BRING ENTERTAINMENT TO TROOPS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Promotion Kicks Off With Pre-Release Events at Select GameStop Locations to Support Veteran’s Day Launch of Call of Duty®: World at War

Santa Monica, CA - Nov. 6, 2008 – Showing their appreciation and support to those serving in the military, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is partnering with the United Service Organizations (USO) to bring entertainment to the troops this holiday season.   The company is using its chart-busting video game franchises Call of Duty® and Guitar Hero® to make a difference in the lives of service members around the world, offering them a taste of home and giving them a break from their day to day duties.

“Through this partnership we are able to bring joy to troops that are serving across the globe this holiday season,” said Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing.  “The USO is an extraordinary organization and we are committed to working together to develop opportunities that show our support for the troops and celebrate their continued service to our country.”

Veterans Day will mark the official start of the holiday promotion when Activision releases the highly-anticipated Call of Duty®: World at War.  For the launch, Activision and GameStop, the world’s largest videogame and entertainment software retailer, will host pre-release events at GameStop locations in San Francisco (151 Powell St.) and Washington, D.C. (Pentagon City Mall, 1100 S. Hayes St. Arlington, VA). Fans of the game can play in real-time, tournament-style competitions against active servicemen and women stationed at Fort Drum, NY, and 29 Palms, CA.

An $10 donation will be made by Activision to the USO for every copy of the game that is purchased, up to $20,000 total, at the Washington, D.C., GameStop store during the pre-release event.  For more information, visit www.gamestop.com/codworldatwar.

Additionally, Activision is partnering with 98.7 Fm (KYSR in Los Angeles) on a Guitar Hero® World Tour promotion to support the release of the 2008 98.7 FM Live CD Project.  Portions of the CD sales will be donated to the USO to provide assistance and services for troops around the world. The CD is a studio-series compilation of live recordings by popular Los Angeles radio station 98.7 FM of artists that have performed at the exclusive 98.7 Lounge, including: Seether, Finger Eleven, Gavin Rossdale, OneRepublic, Three Doors Down, Ludo and many more.  The CD launch party will be held on November 21 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, where military personnel who show their military id will be able to enter the park for free.  The CD will be available for purchase at 987fm.com beginning November, 24th. 

Further showing its support, Activision has donated more than $100,000 worth of the top-selling video game Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock for use in USO gaming lounges and mobile USO fleets both on U.S. military bases and across the globe