First of all, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is the full, silly title for the third installment of the popular franchise. We won't be mad if you just refer to the game as Guitar Hero III and forget the Legends of Rock bit, because we already have.
Activision have also announced their exclusive partnership with Gibson Guitar Corp. today, and have revealed images of their new, wireless axe controller designs for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii. The new PS2 controller will feature a black finish and is modeled after the popular Kramer guitar. The PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii will all be getting the slick white Les Paul. All of the guitars will feature removable faceplates, a feature that's not nearly as cool as say, a full drum kit, but it'll do. Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes a listing of in-game guitars, and for you Wii fans ... check out the guitar! It uses the Wii remote! Isn't that fancy?
New Images of Gibson Les Paul and Kramer Shapes Unveiled
SUNNYVALE, CA - July 9, 2007 - Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced its exclusive partnership with Gibson Guitar Corp., the world's leading musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology. As part of the agreement, Activision will feature Gibson's premium brands and shapes in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Offering fans of the wildly popular Guitar Hero™ franchise the deepest and most authentic axe-shredding experience ever, the strategic partnership will provide over 20 classic and modern Gibson guitars, and more than 80 finishes to select from and play in-game. Also, for the first time ever, fans will have the unprecedented opportunity to thrash and burn with new wireless Gibson guitar controllers available for each platform.
Activision's partnering with Gibson Guitar furthers the companies strategic vision in leading the industry in new and innovative game opportunities for every demographic. Gibson has long been the leader in guitar manufacturing and recently has partnered with global companies to expand its brand presence across various lifestyles. Several brands in the Gibson family are offered in the new Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock game including Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer.
In-game battle axe options to unlock include the following:
Gibson: · ES-335 · Explorer · Firebird · SG · Les Paul · V-Factor · Super CES400 · Marauder · Corvus Epiphone: · Casino · Coronet · Sheraton Kramer: · 650 · Vanguard
Bass Guitars · Marauder · Corvus · Les Paul · LP Double Cutaway · EDS 1275 · ES335 · Firebird · Flying V · Moderne · SG · X-Plorer
Guitar Hero fans will be able to rock out with new wireless guitar controllers for each platform. Gibson Guitar's Les Paul model will be the battle axe of choice on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Wii™. After much anticipation, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system fans will also be receiving a new exclusive shape as well, the classic Kramer guitar, also a Gibson brand, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics, and construction for furious finger fretting. The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to personalize their guitars, and a new button color design will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience.
"Our relationship with Activision began with the launch of Guitar Hero over two years ago. Since then the game has had phenomenal success and many other makers have tried to compete with its popularity," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "We have combined the power of Gibson with the power of Activision to produce one of the greatest games ever for consumers. We are sure game enthusiasts around the world will quickly make Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock a huge success."
"We're thrilled at our exclusive partnership with Gibson, and their presence as one of the most iconic and influential companies in the music industry wholly adds to the Guitar Hero rock star experience," said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. "Also, being able to offer official Gibson shaped wireless guitar controllers for the first time on each platform, and to unlock a variety of the different models to play in-game, will provide our fans the incredible opportunity to truly shred like rock gods."
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will include an incredible number of new features and explosive content 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. While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the most popular rock songs ever recorded. Delivering an unprecedented number of master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent record labels and music publishers to allow unrivaled access to their deep history of music catalogs, along with supplying artists' original recordings for even greater authenticity.
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I already have two GH2 guitars for my 360, and I'll get another (wireless) when I pick up Rock Band, so I doubt these will ever grace the Champagne Room (as I affectionately call my crib). They are teh sexy, tho.
Oooo, Wii remote integration... Was gonna pass and just get Rock Band, unfortunatly I don't have a 360 or ps3 yet. Maybe Harmonix will sneak in a Wii version of rock band later. i hope.
My thoughts? Meh. Ill get the Wii version if it has wifi to play with my bud, but Im all about Rock Band at this point.
I'll end up getting the wireless 360 version. God...I'm going to have to sell a kidney to pay for all the fall games coming out.
just had to say this guitar looks like crap compared to rockbands =/
ill be buying this game minus guitar.
And why does this Wii version need the WiiMote again?
That Les Paul is HOT.
DrTou, I'm guessing their will be motion controls for the Wii version. It may also be cheaper to integrate the WiiMote, as it will not need it's own wireless connection.
I'm going with this over Rock Band so far. Something abotu Rock band just turns me off. That may change though.
I figured that they would've put the Wiimote into the fretboard, but that works, too :)
Actually, the guitar needs the remote to interface to the Wii in the first place. Have you all forgotten that all of the Wii accessories connect to the remote for interfacing?
And I'll be damned if I was gonna settle for a wired controller.
@Tron Knotts:
I totally agree with. Theres just something about rock band thats *almost* unappealing. Im not totally excited about it. The drums do look cool though
I dig the idea of removable face plates for the guitars, but hope they're priced reasonably.
The Wiitar setup might be a good idea from the control-options point of view, but i can just see hitting the thing accidentally with the palm could become a problem.
The title does seem a bit wordy, but it gives a clue as to the angle they're taking with the game.
I'm too cheap for Rock Band, so I can't wait for GH3.
damn, this and rock band.... how am I gonna afford all this shit?