I’m ready to unleash my inner rockstar again later this year!  Activision announced an 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.

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™.  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.”

Screenshots: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Controllers 

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 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.