RedOctane announced today the launch of the highly anticipated rock ‘n roll guitar video game, Guitar Hero™ in retail stores across America. Appearing exclusively on the PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system, Guitar Hero combines addictive game play with some of the greatest rock songs of all-time. 

Guitar Hero lets gamers experience the thrill and excitement of being a rock star without leaving home!  By pressing down on the fret buttons of a specially designed guitar controller, gamers play notes and chords by strumming in time on a “strum bar” representing the strings of an electric guitar.

Players can choose from eight different rock characters ranging from metal heads to classic rockers and play at a variety of concert venues that grow in size as your rock career progresses. In career mode, gamers can earn money to purchase unlockable characters, songs, guitar skins and behind the scenes videos.

Guitar Hero features hits spanning all the facets of rock music, from classic rock to metal including tracks made famous by such legendary artists as Boston, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, Sum 41, Ozzy Osbourne, Audioslave, White Zombie, Franz Ferdinand and The Ramones. The game also includes Graveyard BBQ, the winner of the first ever ‘Be A Guitar Hero’ song competition and their original song “Cheat on the Church”.

GUITAR HERO SG CONTROLLER
Well-known as a leading creator of video game peripherals, RedOctane designed the first US Guitar Controller for the PlayStation®2. The officially licensed Guitar Hero SG Controller is a sleek, guitar-shaped controller held just like a real guitar that features five responsive fret buttons, a durable strum bar, an internal tilt sensor, a fully functional whammy bar, and stylized START and SELECT buttons that resemble a guitar’s actual volume knobs.

MARKETING PROGRAMS
Marketing efforts for Guitar Hero include an exclusive deal with Gibson Guitar where a selection of famous Gibson electric guitar models will be featured in the game play. Gibson Guitar will feature Guitar Hero throughout all promotional stops on the TKO College Tour and provide contesting. Additionally, print ad campaigns, on-air radio promotions and online advertising will support Guitar Hero.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
The game has met rave reviews in the gaming community, winning “Best of Show 2005” at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3), it was unveiled at the annual “G-Phoria®” 2005 – G4 videogame TV’s ‘The Mother of All Videogame Award Shows’ and most recently was nominated for Best Soundtrack by the Spike TV “Video Game Awards 2005”.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates Guitar Hero “T” for Teen and the game bundle will retail for $69.99.  The bundle includes the Guitar Hero game, the Guitar Hero SG Controller, adjustable guitar strap and sticker sheet. 

Gamers nationwide can buy Guitar Hero at Best Buy, GameStop, and Electronics Boutique (EB),

For more on Guitar Hero, please visit the official game site www.guitarherogame.com.

About RedOctane
Based in Sunnyvale, California, RedOctane® is an innovative new video game publisher, specializing in music and rhythm games. RedOctane is also the leading provider of unique, high-quality video game peripherals and accessories. For more information on RedOctane please visit www.RedOctane.com.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Veteran music video game creator Harmonix® is developing Guitar Hero. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harmonix® previously developed Frequency, Amplitude, Karaoke Revolution and EyeToy: AntiGrav. http://www.harmonixmusic.com

Karaoke Revolution™ is a registered trademark KONAMI CORPORATION. ©2004 KONAMI. Developed by Harmonix Music System. Harmonix is a registered trademark of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Frequency and Amplitude are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 

RedOctane® is a registered trademark of RedOctane, Inc. “Guitar Hero” is trademark of RedOctane, Inc. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems. © 2005 RedOctane, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.