Activision @ E3 2010: Top artists in upcoming games

From/De: Activision

Activision Announces Roster of Award-Winning Musical Talent

Upcoming Titles to Feature Award Winners Usher, Eminem, Soundgarden, Pharrell Williams, Jane’s Addiction and Internationally Renowned DJ’s and Artists David Guetta, Deadmau5 and Z-Trip

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 14, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ — Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that its highly anticipated games Call of Duty(R): Black Ops(TM), DJ Hero(R) 2, Guitar Hero(R): Warriors of Rock and True Crime(R): Hong Kong will feature music from some of the most popular and successful recording artists including Grammy(R) Award winners Usher, Eminem, Soundgarden, Pharrell Williams, David Guetta and other world-renowned musical talents.

“Activision’s fall titles are set to give gamers an unparalleled musical experience,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “We have assembled an exceptionally talented roster of artists, many of whom have created exclusive or originally recorded tracks for our games. We are sure our titles will offer a variety of tracks that will appeal to our wide consumer base and delight the most passionate music and gaming fans.”

Players will party together this fall, firing up two turntables and a microphone in DJ Hero 2, the follow-up to the #1 new videogame IP of 2009. Picking up where the award-winning DJ Hero(R) soundtrack left off, DJ Hero 2 spins together the hottest tracks blazing up the charts and legendary club anthems from the biggest artists in pop, dance and hip hop including R&B superstar Usher’s chart-topping hit “OMG,” with a current audience reach of over 160 million, which will be involved in an upcoming DJ Hero 2 project. The game will feature a host of new world-class DJ’s, including an in-game appearance and hit music from Grammy Award winning artist and multi-platform producer David Guetta. He joins progressive house producer Deadmau5 who delivered some of his hot new tracks and will also be an in-game playable character. Z-Trip spins his encore as part of the DJ Hero crew, having consulted on the game’s development and is delivering two exclusive new mixes.

Recently reunited rock heavyweights Soundgarden will debut an unreleased song, “Black Rain,” exclusively on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, which allows gamers to embark on an epic rock journey to save rock n’ roll. With a set list of shred-worthy hits including Jane’s Addiction’s “Been Caught Stealing,” A Perfect Circle’s “The Outsider,” Black Sabbath’s “Children Of The Grave,” and Megadeth’s “Sudden Death,” Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock offers a complete interactive and connected experience bringing friends and foes to the stage in the ultimate rock music experience.

Grammy Award winning recording artist, producer and musician Pharrell Williams brings his unique blend of pop, hip hop and soul to headline the soundtrack for True Crime: Hong Kong the company’s forthcoming open-world/action game. Also on the soundtrack is up and coming R&B, pop and jazz singer Rhea who frequently collaborates with Williams and has performed with N.E.R.D. With orders to “do whatever it takes to become one of them,” players assume the role of undercover detective Wei Shen as he engages in visceral, fast paced martial arts combat, explosive gunfights, high-octane action driving and acrobatic free-running chase sequences in order to infiltrate and bring down one of Hong Kong’s most notorious Triad organizations. In order to survive, Wei must think like them, fight like them, and even kill like them.

On November 9, 2010, the newest installment in the biggest action series of all-time and the year’s most anticipated title, Call of Duty: Black Ops, will insert players behind enemy lines during the most dangerous time period mankind has ever known. An epic single player campaign filled with heart-racing action, Call of Duty: Black Ops puts players in the boots of elite special forces units engaged in covert warfare, deniable operations, and explosive conflicts around the globe. The title features an edgy new track from Eminem’s upcoming album “Recovery” scheduled for release June 21st.

About Activision Broadcast Media Center

Members of the media can visit Activision’s Broadcast Media Center to download broadcast quality video, web-ready video and high-resolution images. Members of the media using Pathfire can take advantage of a Pathfire enabled video download. Highlights from Activision’s E3 event will be available for download on June 15. Broadcast Media Center: http://www.activisionvideo.com/.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.