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, PS3, 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.

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 gnarliest rock songs ever recorded. Delivering more master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent music record labels and publishers to allow unrivaled access to their deep history of music catalogs, along with supplying artists' original recordings for even greater authenticity.

Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status.

The initial list of face-melting awesomeness includes:

• Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
• Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
• Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
• The Metal (by Tenacious D)
• My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
• Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
• Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
• School's Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
• Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)
• Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
• Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)
• Evenflow (von Pearl Jam)
• Lay Down (von Priestess)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, published by RedOctane and developed by Neversoft, is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available this Fall on the Xbox 360, Wii, and PS2 and PS3.