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The marketing blitz for Activision Blizzard's Guitar Hero World Tour begins today with the first in a series of Brett Ratner directed spots. Ever wanted to see Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps, and Tony Hawk dance around in their underwear while playing Guitar Hero? Dreams can come true.
Activision Blizzard will be releasing a series of star-studded Ratner-directed World Tour commercials, featuring more athletes, actors, and supermodels. Thank God.
"Just wait until you see what we have up our sleeves," says Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kottick.
Guitar Hero World Tour is available at retail for all platforms this Sunday, October 26 (and no, we haven't received our review kit yet, so don't go holding your breath).
ACTIVISION PUBLISHING UNVEILS STAR-STUDDED TELEVISION ADS PROMOTING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GUITAR HERO® WORLD TOUR LAUNCH
Brett Ratner to Direct Series of Celebrities in “Risky Business”-Inspired Spots;
First Commercial Features Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, Tony Hawk and Michael Phelps
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Oct. 24, 2008 – Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero® is putting famous fans front and center in its television ads for the October 26 release of Guitar Hero® World Tour, the latest installment in the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007. Paying tribute to the famous lip- and guitar-syncing scene that appeared in the popular film “Risky Business,” each ad will highlight different celebrities jamming on instruments from Guitar Hero World Tour to the song “Old Time Rock and Roll,” performed by Bob Seger.
The first commercial, which debuts today, features Kobe Bryant rocking the mic, Alex Rodriguez and Michael Phelps dancing while ripping it up on the exhilarating new guitars, and Tony Hawk sliding in on a skateboard to play the drums. The new commercials are an extension of the “Risky Business”-inspired Guitar Hero ads starring American Idol season seven-winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuletta that aired during the American Idol season finale on May 21, 2008. Brett Ratner (Brett Ratner Brands), who directed the American Idol contestants in the earlier Guitar Hero spots, is back on board to inspire others to unleash their inner rock star. The commercials were produced by advertising agency DDB and H.S.I. Productions.
“With the first ‘Risky Business’ ads we wanted to excite fans by combining two pop culture sensations to create something even bigger,” said Brett Ratner. “Those commercials were such a hit with Guitar Hero fans we decided to give them the same iconic ‘living room rock star’ moment they love, but as experienced with the new full band version of the game and with an entirely new cast of characters.”
“Guitar Hero is loved by people of all ages and it has truly become a part of pop culture,” said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “To appeal to the multi-generational Guitar Hero fans out there we tapped a wide range of athletes, actors and even supermodels to unleash their inner rock stars and live out their rock and roll fantasies. This is only the first start-studded Guitar Hero World Tour commercial with many more to come. Just wait and see what we have up our sleeves”
Beginning October 26, a new generation of guitarists, drummers and fearless front men will come together to rock with Guitar Hero World Tour, which transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience. 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.
Additionally, Guitar Hero World Tour offers the most expansive set list and is sure to have something for everyone. Fans of all ages can strum, drum and sing their way through more than 85 master recordings including favorites by Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Van Halen, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Linkin Park, Michael Jackson and more.
Guitar Hero World Tour is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION3 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 http://worldtour.guitarhero.com/.
Contest:
12:46 PM on 10.24.2008
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First he destroys my beloved X-men ad now he's going after one of my favorite games?
Please somebody stop Rattner
Are any of the guys who commented so far sports fans? Cause if not, I can completely understand why you didn't get it. However, it's undeniable this will go a long way with the casual crowd.
Uh, awesome, way to go guys.
Oh and in that press release, "lip- and guitar-syncing scene in the film Risky Business..." Who says "guitar-syncing"?
Big sports fan, especially baseball, and still didn't get it. Kinda made me feel uneasy and weird. I'm glad they got a paycheck out of it though, more power to their agents for the score.
ROCK BAND.
The helmet didnt help
You don't use the internet much, do you?