Looks like Activision wasn't going to sit around and let Rock Band take in all the glory of selling a ton of music. Activision just sent over a Press Release announcing that the entire Guitar Hero franchise has made over one billion dollars in North America within 26 months. They also wanted to remind everyone that Guitar Hero III was one of the best selling titles of 2007. Further more, five million songs have been downloaded within ten weeks of the games release too.

Mighty impressive numbers for sure. So Dtoiders, which one do you prefer? Rock Band, or Guitar Hero? Hit the jump for the Press Release and to commence your flame wars. 

[Editor's note: This fire horns image will be pretty much used for all my rock music related posts. You know it's awesome.] 

Guitar Hero(R) Franchise Surpasses $1 Billion in North America in
Record 26 Months, According to the NPD Group

Calendar Year North American Retail Sales for Guitar Hero(R) III:
        Legends of Rock(TM) Set New Industry Record


SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan 21, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --  Activision,
Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) today announced that the Guitar Hero(R) franchise
has set an industry record, surpassing $1 billion in North American
retail sales in just 26 months, according to The NPD Group.
Additionally, Guitar Hero(R) III: Legends of Rock(TM) was the #1 title
in units and dollars for calendar year 2007, making it the #1
best-selling video game of all time in a single calendar year.
Since its initial release in fall 2005, the Guitar Hero franchise has
sold in excess of 14 million units in North America alone, according
to The NPD Group. In 10 weeks since the game's launch, consumers have
already downloaded more than five million songs.
"Guitar Hero is one of the biggest brands and one of the most powerful
distribution platforms in all of entertainment today," said Michael
Griffith, President  and Chief Executive Officer, Activision
Publishing, Inc.  "Guitar Hero's popularity with broad audiences is a
confirmation that video games have become a true mass medium."
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, Sweden, 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.