Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts contest announced

Rare contest to reward top Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts creations with in-game immortality

Twycross, Outskirts of Nowhere – Attention builders, racers, pilots and boat captains! One month after its worldwide release, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” has flown, driven and sailed off store shelves and the response from the fan community has been overwhelming. Every day, the “Banjo-Kazooie” Showroom is flooded with new screenshots and blueprints of fan’s custom creations, so today Rare announced a contest to recognize the top seven user generated contraptions created in “Banjo- Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.”

Key members of the “Banjo” development team will be poring over the in-game photos uploaded to the web in a quest to track down the seven very best player-built contraptions. The reward? In-game immortality. The seven winners will experience bragging rights galore when their designs are integrated into the game for other “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” players to experience.

Additional details around the contest can be found on the official Web site at http://www.rare.co.uk/company/news_bkcomp.html

Once the team has made its selections, the contraptions’ creators will be contacted via their Gamertags and asked to send Rare their blueprints.
Contest Details:

· To upload a screenshot of your creation to the official contest Web site:
Press Start to access the Pause menu, select Photos and Replays, and then select Take Photo. Use the left and right sticks to position the camera, and then press A to take the picture. (Photo mode is available during single-player games or while watching replays.)

Select Photos and Replays from the main menu in “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts”

Select Open Photo Album, then My Photos
Highlight a photo you wish to upload and press the Y button to upload it to banjo-kazooie.com
The deadline for entries is Jan. 4, 2009, 12 midnight PST. This gives players the whole holiday to be creative
Anyone with a copy of “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” and an Xbox LIVE account can enter.

Participants can enter as many contraptions and submit as many photos as they’d like; just remember that the cream always rises to the top.

Be creative! The Rare Judges are hard to impress and the creations that have already been posted to the web are outstanding, so competition is sure to be fierce Be careful! Contraptions that infringe on copyrighted material cannot be considered in this contest The exact specifics of the reward will be shared in due time, so contestants should get busy, get creative, and get building!

For additional information on “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/splash/b/bknutsandbolts/ or http://www.rareware.com/home.html.

Viva Pinata holiday content

Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise – Tips for making your garden a winter wonderland

Just in time for the winter holiday season, Rare Ltd. has developed new ways for any level gardener to cultivate snowy landscapes in “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.” Regardless of what climate players live in, their piñata gardens can be transformed into a winter white spectacle!

Beginning gardeners and expert green thumbs alike will appreciate the numerous tips and tricks below that the “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” developers have provided to nurture wintery gardens and create welcoming environments for the frosty candy-filled creatures from the Piñarctic.

1. I’m dreaming… cover the garden with snow. When it rains you’ll get snow instead and you can enjoy a white Christmas
2. When Santa got stuck… Build a Robean house. It’s a festive fireplace complete with baubles and a stocking ready for a holiday visit
3. The gift of giving… Get yourself a warm glow by sending a friend a crate with a nice surprise over LIVE. Remember it’s better to give than to receive
4. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas… Plant a holly bush. Use red fertilizer to get the maximum amount of berries
5. Twinkle, twinkle, little star… Holiday decorations aren’t complete without a star or two. Use Hollywood paving to add a constellation to your seasonal garden
6. Oh Christmas tree… Plant a fir tree. If you want something really impressive try using brown fertilizer to make it as big as it can be
7. Dance of the sugarplum… A Galagoogoo dressed in Kameo wings and with ballet shoes will give you a living fairy to put on top of your tree
8. Then one foggy Christmas eve… Dress a Doenut with a red nose and with a little re-naming Rudolf can be prancing around your Yuletide paradise
9. Polar Express… Build a track and set a little train rattling around. If you put the Chew Chew train down, it will run over sour candy and turn it into lovely candy
10. Father Christmas… Feed a Jeli some medicine – tinkered honey. Now give him a Santa hat and a pair of Breegull Waders (colored black) and you can have a version of everyone’s’ favorite chunky old man in your garden.
For the less ambitious, new Piñata Vision cards will help the jolly transformation along. Additionally, Rare has supplied screenshots to help spark inspiration among new and experienced piñata gardeners.
Screenshots and Piñata Vision cards are available at http://edelmanadmin.psni.com/public/Viva%20Pinata:%20Trouble%20in%20Paradise/. Feel free to download these images and post as you see fit to share with your readers. Happy holiday gardening!

Lips gets DLC from The Fray, Tina Turner, Jamarquai and more

Lips and Xbox360 continue to roll out the hits for crooners around the globe

Great mix of recent and past hits will keep the party going long past the holiday season

“Lips,” the new hit singing party game exclusively for Xbox 360 from iNiS Corp., today announced the next month of weekly releases beginning Friday, December 19 through January 9, 2009. In total, 14 new downloadable songs will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the “Lips” in-game “Get Music” store.

Hit songs by a variety of popular artists including The Fray, Jamiroquai, Tina Turner, KT Tunstall and many more will be available starting at 160 Microsoft points each. Additional new songs will be added regularly so stay tuned for future announcements.

Available December 19:
Over My Head (Cable Car) – The Fray
Every Little Step – Bobby Brown
Prisoner of Society – The Living End
Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

Available December 26:
New Shoes – Paolo Nutini
What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner
What Is Love? – Haddaway

Available January 2:
Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes
Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind and Fire
Be Good Johnny – Men At Work
Somethin’ Stupid – Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman

Available January 9:
Superstar – Jamelia
People are People – Depeche Mode
Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall

“Lips,” the new singing party game from Xbox 360 and iNiS, includes 40 songs on-disc and two wireless, motion-sensitive microphones. “Lips” is currently available at retailers for $69.99.

More information on “Lips” is available at www.xbox.com/lips.

New Guitar Hero World Tour DLC coming in January

Travis Barker, Rascal Flatts and Oasis Songs Among New Downloadable Guitar Hero(R) World Tour Tracks in January

Travis Barker Encore Performance Showcases Diverse Music Genres

Country Superstars Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and Brooks & Dunn Make Guitar Hero(R) Debuts

British Multi-Platinum Selling Rockers Oasis Bring Full 2008 Album ‘Dig Out Your Soul’

Building upon the extensive variety of chart-topping hits that span multiple genres of music available to Guitar Hero fans, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) will release over 20 party-rocking anthems as downloadable content for Guitar Hero(R) World Tour throughout January 2009.

Before fans ring in the New Year, additional downloadable content for Guitar Hero World Tour from hard rock bands Hinder, Nickelback and Rev Theory, will be available on December 23rd. Hinder’s first single “Use Me,” from their recently released album Take It to the Limit, is joined by Nickelback’s “Because of You” and Rev Theory’s “Light it Up.”

Further diversifying the catalogue of songs available for download for Guitar Hero World Tour is the debut of the Country Rock Track Pack featuring Rascal Flatts “Me and My Gang,” plus GRAMMY(R) Award winning artists Brad Paisley’s “Ticks” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Hillbilly Deluxe.” Country music fans can rock out starting on January 8th.
World-renowned drummer Travis Barker, whose likeness appears in Guitar Hero World Tour, is returning to the Guitar Hero stage on January 15th for an encore with a three-song Track Pack illustrating his talents across various styles of music. Two of the tracks, “What’s My Age Again” and “Lycanthrope,” are from his work as part of blink-182 and +44 respectively. Completing the Track Pack is his solo-project remixing Flo Rida’s smash-hit “Low.”

Following multiple stops around the world and further expanding the Guitar Hero global music library, Guitar Hero World Tour makes a trip down under on January 22nd with three of the biggest Australian bands of all-time. Silverchair makes their debut appearance in the Guitar Hero franchise with their 1995 hit “Tomorrow.” Rounding out the Track Pack is the GRAMMY Award winning Wolfmother with “Dimension” and The Vines with their hit “Outtathaway!”

After making a successful splash into Guitar Hero World Tour downloadable content with three singles off their critically acclaimed Dig Out Your Soul album, gamers will have the opportunity to shred, drum and wail away to the full album from beloved, multi-platinum UK rock band, Oasis, in its entirety on January 29th. Joining “Bag it Up,” “Waiting for the Rapture” and “The Shock of the Lightning” are “The Turning,” “I’m Outta Time,” “(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady,” “Falling Down,” “To Be Where There’s Life,” “Ain’t Got Nothin,” “The Nature of Reality” and “Soldier On.”

The Oasis Album will be available on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 1520 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation(R)Store for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system for $18.99. The Track Packs will be released for Xbox 360 for 440 Microsoft Points and PLAYSTATION 3 system for $5.49. The songs on the Oasis Album and in each Track Pack will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for $1.99 and Wii(TM) for 200 Wii Points.

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless controllers with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a wired microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators are also able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunes(SM) where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

Guitar Hero World Tour is now available for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information on Guitar Hero World Tour, please visit worldtour.guitarhero.com/.

Atari reveals another track for the upcoming RacePro

The Laguna Seca race track!

 

And since I missed it the first time around, here’s the Road America track, revealed a few weeks ago….

Guitar Hero: Metallica confirmed

Wow. Like we didn’t know this already… Rolling Stone has confirmed that Metallica has confirmed that the game is coming “some time in the first half of 2009″

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/15/guitar-hero-metallica-confirmed-by-band-details-emerge/

Game With Fame presents…Play Call of Duty: World at War with Fall Out Boy

On the heels of releasing their fifth studio album, Folie à Deux, multi-platinum selling artists Fall Out Boy will be on Xbox LIVE® December 19 to play members in Call of Duty®: World at War. If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold member, and you want a chance to play with Fall Out Boy, send a friend request to the following Gamertag and be online half an hour before (1:30 P.M.) the Game with Fame session starts on Friday, December 19, 2:00 P.M. ET. Three-time winners at the MTV Video Music Awards, Chicago-based Fall Out Boy has gathered a tremendous following from their tour schedule and recordings. Their latest album, Folie à Deux, releases December 16, and features the hit single “I Don’t Care,” currently playing everywhere you hear music. The band consists of Patrick Stump (vocals/guitar), Pete Wentz (bass), Joe Trohman (guitar), and Andy Hurley (drums). If you get a chance to play with Fall Out Boy, we want to hear about it! Send us an e-mail at xlmail@microsoft.com with the subject: “GWF – Fall Out Boy.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

Be sure to check out their Rock Artist of the Month page: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/artist/rock/falloutboy.htm

Game with Fame with Fall Out Boy
WHEN: December 19th
TIME: 11AM – 1PM (PST) in Los Angeles
GAME: Call Of Duty: World At War
GAMERTAG: GWF FallOutBoy (**please note space between GWF and FallOutBoy)
URL: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2008/1219-falloutboy

Gears of War 2 conbustible map launches day

Players will be able to enjoy the all new exhilarating action in the first “Gears of War 2″ downloadable content mere hours following its exclusive premiere during the SPIKE TV Video Game Awards

More than 1.5 million people were drawn to “Gears of War 2″ on Xbox LIVE during its first weekend, logging over 15 million gameplay hours and driving a new record for concurrent users. Now, the online experience has become even more explosive with the release of the Combustible Map Pack, a collection of three new maps for Gears of War 2 available now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 MS Points.

Debuted during the SPIKE TV Video Game Awards on Dec. 14, where Gears of War 2 took home the Best Shooter and Best Xbox 360 Game awards, Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games unveiled exclusive footage from the Combustible Map Pack with Marisa Miller (Sports Illustrated’s 2008 Swimsuit Issue cover model) and “Gears of War 2’s” Augustus “Cole Train” Cole (played by Lester Speight) presenting the first look at the new maps.

The Combustible Map Pack unleashes three new multiplayer maps: Flood, Gold Rush and Fuel Station.

Flood is a very tight map that’s made extra snug when the environmental hazard of Imulsion begins creeping up around the edges. As the playing field closes in, the firefight will intensify as combat is forced to the center of the map. Teams skilled at flanking their opponents will have a powerful edge.
Gold Rush takes place in an old Imulsion refinery that now serves as a hotly contested battleground. Players must survive heavy crossfire as they infiltrate the factory and navigate multiple tiers. Breakable glass allows for a clean shot at those who make a dash for the Longshot rifle while bolder players make their run for the heavy weapon. In the right hands, the Mortar can be devastating on this map, so keep those smoke grenades armed as the concussive effect comes in very handy.
Fuel Station is situated in a desolate area marked by an abandoned fossil fuel station. The team that secures and controls the station is likely to be the side that wins the match. An especially strategic location on this map is the rooftop, as there are only two points of entry – the main elevator and a staircase on the back side of the building. Heavy weaponry is situated right in front, which presents a high risk to reward ratio in this level. Lugging the Mulcher around, deploying it and revving it up can keep an entire team at bay, and unleashing hell from the rooftops is always an excellent tactic.
All of the multiplayer maps in the Combustible Map Pack are playable in the highly popular, five player co-op Horde mode.

“Gears of War 2″ is the best-selling console game in the US (November NPD data) and has been named the ‘best Xbox 360 game ever’ by GamePro magazine. “Gears of War 2″ is available exclusively on Xbox 360 and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.

The “Gears of War 2″ Combustible Map Pack trailer will be available for download on Microsoft’s press site at Microsoft Prosource beginning Dec. 15 at 12:01 a.m. PST. For more information about the Combustible Map Pack and for the latest updates on “Gears of War 2″ visit www.GearsOfWar.com.

Pearl Jam signs with MTV Games and Harmoix to bring their debut album, Ten, to Rock Band on the date of it’s re-issue

Full Album to be Released as Rock Band DLC Day and Date with the Re-issue of “Ten”: Four Special Edition Packages in Stores on March 24, 2009

NEW YORK, NY – December 15, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today confirmed that Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam (http://www.pearljam.com) in 1991, will be offered for download in the Rock Band Music Store day-and-date with the re-issue of the album in stores on March 24, 2009.

Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games and Music for MTV Networks Music / Logo Group, added, “Just hearing the first few notes of Jeremy or Alive brings back all the raw emotion of this incredible, hugely important album. We are honored to be working with Pearl Jam to deliver Ten as it is re-issued.”

In addition to the track “Alive” that is already available on the Rock Band 2 game disc, the Pearl Jam Ten download pack will include the additional 10 songs from the album:

1. Once
2. Even Flow
3. Why Go Black
4. Jeremy
5. Oceans
6. Porch
7. Garden
8. Deep
9. Release

Pearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as “Alive,” “Black,” “Even Flow” and Jeremy became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band’s ever-changing concert setlists. The album was produced by Rick Parasher. Pearl Jam’s 1991 lineup was Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (guitar), Dave Krusen (drums), Mike McCready (guitar) and Eddie Vedder (vocals).

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs[1] on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motorhead and more! The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 30 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 500 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band’s ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, Rock Band continues to deliver the largest library of music ever for a video game.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

MTV Games is the publisher of Rock Band and is developed by Harmonix, EA is the exclusive distribution partner for Rock Band. About MTV Games MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central DLC screens

New screenshots from the DLC for Midnight Club: Los Angeles, out early 2009.  This new downloadable area is called “South Central”.

New Fallout 3 DLC screenshots

I’m sorry I missed out on getting these juicy screens to you for the weekend!!

X-Blades: new info and screens

New info about X-Blades. Two new spells, and 2 new elemental enemies. All with pretty pictures.

Fireball:
I always loved fire, even as a little girl. Then people noticed that I was able to command fire in some mysterious way. That’s why I have a special affinity for these skills – and I like learning them. A Fireball can be hurled against all kinds of enemies, even airborne opponents. On impact, it explodes and throws the opponent to the ground. This spell is really effective against Ice Elementals.

Fire Blades:
The power of Fire amazes me, because it truly is a skill that has aided me in many battles. I’ve learned to harness the power of fire and imbue it into my very own gunblades. This is quite a skill to master because the last thing an adventurer wants to do is melt her own weapons accidentally. This spell also allows me to shoot blazing projectiles at my enemies as well. Fire is a beautiful thing. (Requirement: Fireball)

Dark Elementals:
A particle of the Dark which has a slight awareness of its own existence. Little more than a parasitic vampire, Dark Elementali suck away their victim’s energy after melting it down with dark magic. Since they consume a lot of energy and spawn quickly, they’re often hungry and extremely aggressive.

Ice Elemantali:
Ice Elementali are the embodiment of Cold magic. The result of dangerous experiments conducted by ancient magicians, these creatures can stop the use of magic by binding their victim’s body with ice, thereby slowing them down. As are all Elemantalis, they’re vulnerable to magic opposed to their own.

Dark Elementali

Dark Elementali

Fireball

Fireball

Fireblades

Fireblades

Ice Elementali

Ice Elementali

Game With Fame presents…Play Madden NFL ‘09 with Darius Rucker

Some fans may initially think of Darius Rucker as the front man for the phenomenally popular group Hootie & the Blowfish, but you’re going to have to start thinking of him as a bona fide country music star. Rucker’s first country album, Learn to Live on Capitol Records Nashville, is pure country all the way, and the hit single “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” rocketed to the top of the country charts earlier this year.

“This CD is a journey,” Rucker says. “I realized I’m 42. I’m not going to write many songs about drinking, chasing girls or booty calls. I was going to write songs about having kids and stuff, songs about life. So many people in pop try to write all these psychedelic crazy lyrics, and I’m sure I’ve been part of that, but that’s something you don’t find in country music. The thing I like most about country songs is that they keep it simple. I love that, and I love the melodies.”

Rucker worked with some of the best songwriters in the business for this album, including Rivers Rutherford, Frank Rogers, and Clay Mills, who co-wrote Rucker’s huge hit “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” And country stars Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, and Alison Krauss all make appearances on the release. Country music has rolled out the welcome mat for Rucker. “The reception has been unbelievable,” he says. “People listen to country music because they know it’s where you can find songs.” Darius Rucker is committed to making great country music. And that’s exactly what you’ll find on Darius Rucker’s Learn to Live, great, meaningful songs. Be sure to look out for Darius Rucker videos on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace!

Xbox Live Game With Fame with Darius Rucker
Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Time: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. ET/11 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. PT
Game: Madden NFL 09
Gamertags: Darius GWF

Link: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2008/1216-dariusrucker.htm

Check out Darius’ Artist Of The Month page:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/artist/country/dariusrucker.htm

Two Southpeak updates

Things on Wheels (XBLA):

Things on Wheels is all about what you choose to remotely drive. Vintage cars have exceptional handling, making them the easiest cars to learn to drive. However, their low speeds and power make it near impossible to catch up to other racers if they are driving faster cars. Envy is slow but its power and moderately high handling can give it the upper hand when driven by a skilled racer. Its ability to turn sharply will give Envy an edge over most other fast cars as they tend to make wider turns. Glammy’s moderately low speed is only made worse by its very low power. However, this vintage has high handling which can help it close large distance gaps between competitors during turns.

 

Big Bang Mini (DS):
Luxor

A pixilated version of pyramids and palm trees creates the theme for the Luxor World. Draw a horizontal line on the touch screen to create the world’s new ability, the Mirror Shield. Along with the Homing Missiles, this temporary upgrade will not only protect you, but send the enemies’ fire right back at them. When you reach the Egyptian Pharaoh boss level, complete him and make him vulnerable by bumping his separate pieces with your ship. Sometimes enemy fire will be so intense you must use your shield to survive, and in turn, defeat the enemy quickly with their own fire. Remember that your shield does not last forever so keep an eye on it. When it starts blinking, be prepared to get your ship to somewhere safe. When fighting the boss, bump your ship upwards into his headpieces as they come onto the screen. Fire rapidly before he moves off screen or you’ll have to repeat the process.

World Upgrade: Mirror Shield: The Mirror Shield will deflect and reflect enemy fire. Activate it by swiftly drawing a straight line horizontally across the screen. Remember, like the Vortex, the Mirror Shield needs time to recharge

Guitar Hero(R) World Tour Expands Global Music Library With Downloadable Songs From Europe’s Hottest Bands

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ –
Increasing its library of local music from around the world this month, Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero(R) World Tour – which features on-disc songs from top global acts such as Tokio Hotel, Hushpuppies and Radio Futura – is offering new three-song Track Packs of downloadable content from popular European bands including Germany’s Sportfreunde Stiller, France’s BB Brunes and Spain’s Fito Y Fitipaldis.

Following their home country’s disappointing 2006 World Cup elimination, German rock band Sportfreunde Stiller re-wrote their chart-topping hit “‘54, ‘74, ‘90, 2006″ in anticipation of a 2010 championship, re-titled it “‘54, ‘74, ‘90, 2010″ and are bringing it to Guitar Hero World Tour as part of a three-song Track Pack available today.

Also included in the pack and further expanding the global audience are Italian rock band Negrita with “Mama Mae” and French rock sensation BB Brunes with “Dis Moi.”

Swedish rock icons the Backyard Babies, whose Guitar Hero(R) III: Legends of Rock on-disc track “Minus Celsius” saw an increase in digital audio downloads after appearing in the game, are building on the success for an encore with “Degenerated” off their 2008 self-titled album.

Joining the Backyard Babies in the second three-song Track Pack to be released later this month are Spanish rockers Fito Y Fitipaldis with “Por La Boca Vive El Pez” and Netherlands’ beloved Di-Rect with “Johnny.”

The two Track Packs will be available on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation(R)Store for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system for $5.49. The songs in each Track Pack will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for $1.99 and Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection for Wii(TM) for 200 Wii Points.

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless controllers with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a wired microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators are also able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

Guitar Hero World Tour is now available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information on Guitar Hero World Tour, please visit worldtour.guitarhero.com.