Featuring the best variety and biggest rock stars of today combined with classic rock anthems, Guitar Hero 5 is the latest installment of the world's most popular music game. For the first time ever, players can customize the make-up of their band by rocking with any combination of instruments in-game: whether it be two guitars and two drums, or three guitars and a microphone, any combination is possible, allowing players to experience music their own way. Brand new, innovative, easy-to-use gameplay modes like Party Play and RockFest put fun, competition and control at center stage as fans tailor the Guitar Hero experience to match their personal style and interests. For extended hours of entertainment, downloadable content from Guitar Hero World Tour will be compatible with the game and will automatically be updated to include all of the upgrades and enhancements of Guitar Hero 5.

Among the first-time-ever features of Guitar Hero 5 are: Party Play, where players can jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly; RockFest, a comprehensive competitive experience available featuring five new head-to-head modes playable online or in your living room; and the ability to play the entire set-list from the first time the game is turned on.

Guitar Hero 5 refines the player experience, enhances the art style and redesigns core features such as GHMusic Studio, making it the most accessible, fun-to-play and authentic experience for seasoned music gamers as well as first-time players. New innovations such as Band Moments, where bands are rewarded for hitting special note streams together and song challenges where gamers are tasked to play through a song a specific way, add a new competitive layer of excitement and accomplishment to the music rhythm genre.

The Italian event took place in the FNAC store in Verona and saw fans from around the country come together to help smash the record over the 24 hour period.

Italy saw off competition from the rest of Europe with simultaneous attempts taking place, from Paris to Stockholm, all vying for the title of Guitar Hero 5 ’Jump In Jump Out’ champion, creating a wave of Guitar Hero fever across the continent. Consumers of all ages jammed out on Guitar Hero 5’s new and unique Party Play Mode, which allows players to jump in or drop out, or switch difficulty level at any time without interrupting the session.

“This new record is an awesome accomplishment and will be a tough one to surpass” commented Gaz Deaves, Video Games Records Manager at Guinness World Records “The sheer scale of participation in the jam session is a true testament to the popularity and accessibility of Guitar Hero.”

“I’m thrilled to see this many fans come together en masse to rock out to Guitar Hero 5.” said Michael Sportouch, Senior Director Guitar Hero Europe. “Achieving this new world record is the perfect celebration for the release of the new installment of Guitar Hero, which promises consumers the ultimate interactive gaming experience.”