Icon vs. Icon

This year’s Madden NFL 11 soundtrack features 23 tracks that recreate the ultimate live gameday experience via a collection of crowd favorites, stadium classics, and official NFL team fight songs.

After 10+ years of being a foremost showcase for introducing new artists – including Franz Ferdinand, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, Yellowcard, Wolfmother, Jet, The Bravery, B.o.B., Good Charlotte, OK GO, Fallout Boy and 30 Seconds To Mars – the Madden NFL 11 soundtrack focuses on stadium authenticity with classic fan-favorites by AC/DC, Queen, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne (including his new hit “Let Me Hear You Scream”), Guns N’ Roses, The Hives, Gary Glitter, Blur, Ying Yang Twins and Todd Rundgren.  Adding to the unprecedented authenticity are official team fight songs of the Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and more.

“The term ‘Madden Music’ has come to mean music that matches the intensity of the video game,” says said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing for EA. “This year, we wanted the music to not only define the game, but also the stadium experience. These are the classics that consistently bring NFL crowds to their feet. It’s an exciting new audio direction for Madden NFL, one that we know all fans will respond to. There is nothing like the experience of live football in a packed stadium, and the Madden NFL 11 soundtrack absolutely brings that excitement home.”

The complete in-game soundtrack for Madden NFL 11 includes:

Original Recordings:

• AC/DC – Thunderstruck
• Archie Eversole – We Ready
• Blur – Song 2
• Bush – Machinehead
• Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
• Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil’ Wayne – Let It Rock
• Kiss – Rock and Roll All Nite
• Ozzy Osbourne – Let Me Hear You Scream
• Ozzy Osbourne – Crazy Train
• The Hives – Tick Tick Boom
• Todd Rundgren – Bang the Drum
• Ying Yang Twins featuring Homebwoi – Halftime

Cover Versions:

• Rock N Roll Part 2 - as made famous by Gary Glitter
• We Will Rock You - as made famous by Queen
• Crowd Chant - as made famous by Joe Satriani
• Kernkraft 400 - as made famous by Zombie Nation

Team Fight Songs:

• Chicago Bears – Bear Down Chicago Bears
• Detroit Lions – Gridiron Heroes
• Green Bay Packers – Go Packers Go!
• Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins #1
• Minnesota Vikings – Skol Vikings
• Philadelphia Eagles – Fly Eagles Fly
• Washington Redskins – Hail to the Redskins

Madden NFL 11 will be available on August 10^th, 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 and PlayStation computer entertainment systems, Wii^TM, and PSP®  (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system.  Madden NFL 11 will also be available for download globally on mobile platforms including iPod® touch and feature phones.

May rolls in and with it comes a new collection of shredable track pack additions for Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero® 5 and Band Hero™. From “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” to the hottest new  alternative rock acts to hit the airwaves, fans can look forward to further expanding their Guitar Hero® music libraries and shredding this month with tracks by Foreigner, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Miller Band, Alpha Rev, Capra, Snow Patrol and Aerosmith.

Foreigner, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steve Miller Band will have Guitar Hero players rocking in the beginning of May with the Classic Rock 3 Track Pack. “Juke Box Hero,” the third single off Foreigner’s 1981 album, 4, will join Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second hit single, “Sweet Home Alabama,” and “Take the Money and Run” by Steve Miller Band.  The Classic Rock 3 Track Pack will be available on the PlayStation®Store for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system starting May 11.  It will also be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and on Wii™ on May 6.

Gamers looking to add some alternative-pop to their Guitar Hero library are in for a treat on May 11 with a three-song Alternative Pop Track Pack featuring Alpha Rev, Capra and Snow Patrol.  The track pack will contain “Face Down,” off Alpha Rev’s just released new album New Morning, Capra’s debut single, “Low Day” and “You’re All I Have,” the first single from Snow Patrol’s fourth album, Eyes Open.

Get ready to rock this way with legendary American rock n’ roll band, Aerosmith, as they return to the Guitar Hero stage with a three-song track pack featuring “Livin’ On The Edge,” “Love In An Elevator” and “Rag Doll.”  Fans will be able to experience these classic tracks, playable as a full band for the first time, from the GRAMMY® award winning band on May 18.

The Classic Rock 3, Alternative Pop and Aerosmith track packs will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points, on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system for $5.49 and for Wii for 550 Wii Points™.  In addition, all songs in each track pack will be released as downloadable singles for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 160 Microsoft Points, PlayStation 3 system for $1.99 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each.  In addition to the in-game music store and the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 owners can expand their Guitar Heromusic library using the Guitar Hero VIP Pass Music Store, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE online entertainment network.

For more information about Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero and their entire line-up of downloadable songs and disc imports, please visitwww.guitarhero.com.

Electronic Arts, Inc. announced today that former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will be featured on the cover of EA SPORTS™ NCAA® Football 11, available in stores July 13th. Tebow is celebrated as one of the greatest college football players in history and is revered as an ambassador of college football.

Tebow was the first sophomore in history to win the coveted Heisman Trophy following his 2007 season as the Florida Gators’ starting quarterback. In that season, Tebow became the first player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a single season. Tebow is one of the most decorated college quarterbacks in history, winning the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s best quarterback in 2007 and becoming only the second player in NCAA history to earn the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s top football player, on two occasions.

NCAA Football provides the ultimate experience for the true football fan, delivering the excitement and pageantry that can only be found in college football. NCAA Football 11 will give players 120 ways to win with real college offenses that, for the first time ever, reflect the authentic style of every NCAA FBS school. NCAA Football 11 recreates the intensity of college football Saturdays, achieving all-new levels of quality in core gameplay for the award-winning franchise.

With the major game features scheduled to be announced between now and launch, football fans are encouraged to visit www.ncaafootball11.com regularly for the most up-to-date information, including insider blogs written by the NCAA Football 11 development team.

Developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon, and licensed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, NCAA Football 11 will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®2 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems.

Electronic Arts Inc., announced today the launch of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® Online, providing on-the-go golf enthusiasts with the most accessible, authentic and feature-rich golf video game experience available through a web browser. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online, developed by EA Tiburon, has stunning high resolution 3D graphics and requires no game installation*, no disc, and no additional peripherals.

In addition to a free-to-play** experience that allows unlimited access to featured courses, players will be able to choose from a monthly or yearly membership, offered at $9.99 and $59.99 respectively (pricing for North America). Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online will also utilize a points-based transaction system allowing players to purchase packages of points at $9.99, $19.99 and $39.99 that can be used on in-game transactions, such as rounds of golf and Pro Shop items. Consumers who purchase the annual membership receive unlimited rounds on all available courses, and will be provided with a package of points that can be spent on Pro Shop items.

“Consumers have an increasing appetite for authentic gaming experiences online and EA SPORTS is driving innovation and growth in the online gaming category, from consoles to mobile devices and the web,” said EA SPORTS President Peter Moore. “The launch of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online signals a shift in the traditional distribution model and will change the way that people will be able to access and enjoy their favorite video games for years to come.”

Since Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online first debuted in May 2009, EA SPORTS has invited players to participate in a series of closed and open beta sessions and consumers have showed overwhelming interest and support for the offering. During open beta, players from nearly 200 countries have played more than two million rounds of golf.

The community will continue to play an integral role in driving the game’s evolution by influencing new course releases, tournament enhancements and key game features. The server architecture allows for easy feature additions driven by player feedback, creating a continuously fresh and challenging experience for on-the-go golf enthusiasts.

Beginning today, new players will also be able to enjoy the following highlighted features:

• Pro Shop – Players have access to a robust Pro Shop allowing them to customize their golfer’s apparel, gear and clubs. Items in the Pro Shop will positively affect the players’ in-game experience, allowing them to earn more in-game currency and experience with certain items and improve their performance with better clubs. Pro Shop items can be purchased with in-game currency earned through regular on course play. Additional Pro Shop items can be attained with points purchased using real-world money.
• Group Tournaments – Group tournaments will help players connect with golf buddies across the globe, as players will be able to challenge their friends in customized, private Group Tournaments. These tournaments are customizable allowing group leaders to set personalized criteria for their tournaments such as selecting the course and playing conditions.
• Friend to Friend Messaging – Leveraging the growing social aspect of golf, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online allows players to connect with and message friends in the world’s fastest-growing online golf community.
• World Championship Courses – At launch, two new courses will be released for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online – Harbour Town Golf Links and Oakmont CC®. Upon launch, the game will feature an initial roster of ten world-class golf courses including Torrey Pines GC, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, TPC Sawgrass, Sheshan Golf & CC, St Andrews (Old Course), Wolf Creek GC, Wentworth (West Course), Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Oakmont CC® and Harbour Town Golf Links. New courses will continue to be released in the future.

Since 1986, EA has produced immersive golf experiences that give casual and hardcore gamers the ability to hit the links via an authentic gameplay experience. Since the launch of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 99 the franchise has sold more than 25 million units worldwide***. The critically acclaimed Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 on the Wii™ was a finalist for IGN.com’s 2009 Sports Game of the Year. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 will launch in North America on June 8 on the Wii, Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and iPhone® platforms.

For more information about Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online, go to http://tigerwoodsonline.ea.com and for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online assets, go to www.info.ea.com.

Green Day

Multi-platinum selling and Grammy® Award winning group Green Day, along with Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and Warner Bros./Reprise Records today announced at the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards that they are collaborating on the standalone title Green Day: Rock Band(TM).

“We’ve worked with the Rock Band team in the past year to enable our fans to play tracks from 21st Century Breakdown, and we’re excited to now be working on a game, spanning our entire career,” said Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. “We want people to fire this up, choose their favorite Green Day tracks, and play along with us as Rock Band avatars so they can feel what it’s like to perform on stage as Green Day.”

The game is an extension and expression of Green Day’s most-defining albums and key moments throughout their career to date. It will feature likenesses of Green Day members Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool, as well as select venues and art specific to the band’s history. The title will be available globally in 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Wii(TM) system from Nintendo. In addition, the track list will be fully exportable, giving players the opportunity to play the songs in Rock Band(TM) and Rock Band 2(TM) on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3.

“Green Day’s music and explosive live performances transcend age barriers,” says Tom Whalley, Chairman/CEO, Warner Bros. Records. “By partnering with the band and Harmonix, Warner Bros./Reprise is thrilled to help create a Rock Band experience devoted exclusively to their impressive catalog. This game will appeal to fans of all ages, including those who love their recent best-selling albums and those who’ve loved Green Day throughout their long, incredible career.”

“It’s very exciting to work closely with Green Day to create an experience that captures the incomparable sound, look and feel of the band,” said Paul DeGooyer, SVP of Electronic Games and Music for MTV Networks Music Group. “‘Green Day: Rock Band’ is yet another example of how music fans can connect with some of the greatest music ever recorded via the Rock Band platform.”

“This game will feel like a natural extension of Green Day and their music that will deepen the fans’ connection to the band and their history,” said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and co-founder of Harmonix Music Systems. “Fans will be able to enjoy some of the greatest songs from the Green Day catalogue in this standalone game or via Rock Band due to full export capability. We are thrilled to work with Green Day to revisit key moments from their career, including their likenesses, content and imagery, through our innovative form of musical interaction.”

This latest Rock Band title aims to encapsulate the spirit and energy of a band that has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and been hailed as one of the best live acts touring today. Green Day has won critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Album for Dookie, Best Rock Album for American Idiot and Record of the Year for their smash hit “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” Earlier this year, Green Day released their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, on Warner Music Group’s Reprise Records. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, as well as on the Rock, Active Rock and Alternative charts, fueled by the alternative radio No. 1 single “Know Your Enemy.”

In addition to the game announcement, Green Day will bring three more tracks from 21st Century Breakdown to the Rock Band Music Store as downloadable content on Tuesday, December 15th. The three pack of songs will include, “Christian’s Inferno,” “Last of the American Girls,” and “Viva La Gloria!,” all from 21st Century Breakdown. These songs, as well as Green Day tracks previously released on the Rock Band platform, will be supported in Green Day: Rock Band .

The Rock Band platform stands next to none with more than 1,000 songs available from more than 390 artists. With more choices for fans than any other music-based videogame, Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists. Rock Band offers content in a unique way, through on-disc gameplay, game export, downloadable content, and soon with the Rock Band Network, which allows bands and labels to author their songs into downloadable playable Rock Band tracks. The Rock Band platform allows fans to interact with their favorite music in a unique and hands-on way, as well as giving artists the ability to reach fans through a whole new channel.

To see the world premiere package that aired during the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, please visit www.spike.com/event/vga2009.

Dead Space Extraction is a prequel to 2008′s critically acclaimed third-person action horror game for Next-Gen and PC platforms, Dead Space. A Wii exclusive,Extraction ups the action through an exciting mix of intuitive controls, co-op gameplay, puzzle-solving and branching pathways. Together with the addition of new enemies, characters, weapons and environments, Dead Space Extraction sets a new standard for action horror on the Wii that is sure to please both those new to the Dead Space game universe, and those anxious for more.

The Story: Dead Space Extraction tells the untold story of the Aegis VII Colony through a handful of survivors battling to reach the orbiting USG Ishimura amidst a horrific infection and the initial invasion by a violent alien race known as Necromorphs. As these survivors’ allies mysteriously fall victim to dementia, it becomes clear that protecting a young girl granting them a bizarre immunity may be their only hope for survival in a struggle that could have implications for all of humanity.

Gameplay: Although designed to preserve the feel of the action of the original game, gameplay in Extraction is also quite unique. First, the player perspective has been changed from third, to first-person, placing all the action right in front of you. Also, Extraction is a ‘rail shooter,’ meaning a shooter game where most of the action engaged in and paths followed are programmed into the mission play, instead of the freeform wandering ability built into the considerably larger Next-Gen and PC Dead Space release. The combination of these two changes funnels the players focus onto the combat options available in the game. In dealing with the danger of the alien Necromorphs swarming the game space, Dead Space Extraction utilizes the precision of the Wii Remote in variety of ways. Weapons like the Plasma Cutter can dispatch these enemies from a distance by taking advantage of the remote’s pointing targeting ability, while a quick wave can activate weapons like the Ripper, a guidable spinning saw blade. The Wii Remote is also handy for picking up items and hurling them at enemies using the power of Kinesis.

Other gameplay changes include new play modes. The most notable of these is the inclusion of a two player co-op play option. This allows an additional player to drop in or out of the action as he/she chooses. The game rebalances the opposition in these cases to make sure that the gameplay doesn’t become too easy. In addition, Extraction also features a Challenge mode in which after certain sections of the game are cleared, areas within those sections are unlocked for bonus arcade style action where players build up points linked to how many Necromorphs are destroyed. Taken together all these changes add up to more action, more fun and more Dead Space for players on the Wii.

Key Features:

• An action-packed cinematic horror experience currently unmatched by any game designed for Wii.
• An all-new prequel chapter in the ‘Dead Space’ universe exclusive to the Wii.
• A deep and thrilling all-new story, new characters, new weapons, new enemies, and new puzzles.
• Co-operative multiplayer gameplay that allows you to team up to fight off the invasion, combine efforts on engineering puzzles, and more.
• Intuitive controls scheme that allow you to strategically use the Wii Remote to dismember and freeze enemies, manipulate gravity with telekinesis, solve puzzles, and fight off attacks.

One of this year’s most anticipated games, Tony Hawk: RIDE, is set to skate into stores on November 17th! Check out the Trailer for the Wii version of the game below, which showcases how gamers will be able to skate as their Mii characters, as pro skaters or as pro skaters’ Mii characters. This will surely shape up to be on of the biggest hits of the holiday season.

Here is what it is all about:

Experience the true thrill of skateboarding as never before through the revolutionary new skateboardcontroller in Tony Hawk: Ride. Bundled with the Ride game, the unique motion-sensitive board controller redefines the action-sports genre by translating your body motions into the game. No buttons, no thumbs, no analog sticks—just you on the board. For the first time in video game history, anyone can jump on a skateboard and feel the freedom, creativity, and accomplishment of skateboarding.

Fans of board sports will love the authentic experience of the board controller, while the intuitive nature of the board and multiple difficulty settings make it a fun and exciting experience for people of all ages and skill levels. The ease with which anyone can pick up and play this game and each player’s unique playing style make this a fun social game for friends and family to play together. So, are you ready to Ride?

Features

• Four different modes built into the game include: Challenge, Speed, Trick, and Free Skate ¿ in epic locations across the globe.
• Includes the Innovative ‘Ride’ board controller featuring motion sensing technology, smart sensors, a contoured base and a gritty surface to ensure a good grip.
• With no complicated control schemes to master, the game is designed to allow players to get on the board and start mastering the 100+ built in moves from the beginning.
• Eight player multiplayer and online play support lets you and your friends feel the thrill of skateboarding together.
• Multiple difficulty levels make the game a fun and challenging experience for people of all skill levels.

Tony Hawk: RIDE hits stores on November 17 for $120. Check out the official site for the game at www.theride.com!

‘The Beatles: Rock Band’ has revealed 15 new songs bringing the announced track list to 25 for the game, which is set to launch on September 9, 2009.

The game will allow users to play as all four Beatles and will include 45 songs from across the band’s career. As an extra, players can download the entirety of the Abbey Road album after launching the game. Also, for the first time in a “Rock Band” game, you’ll be able to plug in three mics at once and sing three-part harmony.

Twist And Shout / Cavern Club
Do You Want To Know A Secret / Cavern Club
Can’t Buy Me Love / Ed Sullivan Theater
I Wanna Be Your Man / Ed Sullivan Theater
Eight Days A Week / Shea Stadium
Paperback Writer / Budokan
And Your Bird Can Sing / Budokan
Yellow Submarine / Abbey Road Dreamscape
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* / Abbey Road Dreamscape
With a Little Help from My Friends* / Abbey Road Dreamscape
Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows / Abbey Road Dreamscape
Revolution / Abbey Road Dreamscape
Birthday / Abbey Road Dreamscape
Dig A Pony / Rooftop Concert
I’ve Got A Feeling / Rooftop Concert

For more info visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com.