The release date ofGuitar Hero World Tour, October 26th, is fast approaching. Just as withGuitar Hero III, Activision is doing a Sunday launch — but unlike that game,GH WTwill have a strong lineup of downloadable content from the outset, and Activision announced the songs today. That has been one of the most important advantages that theRock Bandgames have had over theGuitar Heroseries — regular, high-quality DLC — so this is a good start forWorld Tour.
First up is a three-pack of R.E.M. songs, all off ofAccelerate, their most recent album: “Horse to Water,” “Man-Sized Wreath,” and “Supernatural Superserious.” Those tracks will be sold exclusively on Xbox Live for two weeks starting October 30th (presumably, they’ll show up on the PlayStation Store afterwards). A Classic Rock Track Pack — featuring Boston’s “Rock & Roll Band,” Foreigner’s “Hot Blooded,” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” — will be available at launch (although I certainly wouldn’t classify the last song as “classic rock”).
In addition — and I know that DtoiderPetiePalwill be ecstatic to hear this — “No Rain” by Blind Melon will also be available “during the launch week.” (And in case you hadn’t figured it out, the header image features the five albums that these songs are taken from, clockwise from top left.) Finally, the game’s Guitar Duels, which are original compositions fromZakk Wyldeand Ted Nugent, will be downloadable for free at launch, so you can play them outside of your encounters with them during theGH WTcareer mode.
Not only are these songs great additions to the game, but I’m elated to report that Activision has finally wised up: all of the aforementioned tracks will be available for individual purchase. In other words, users will no longer be forced to buy packs with songs they don’t care about, just to get the songs they do want. No pricing was mentioned in the press release, but it’s probably safe to assume that the same $6.25 per three-song pack will apply.
R.E.M., BLIND MELON, METALLICA, AND CLASSIC ROCK ANTHEMS HEADLINE LAUNCH WEEK LINEUP FORGUITAR HERO® WORLD TOUR
SANTA MONICA, CA – July 25, 2025 –With music ranging from one of the first and most influential alternative rock bands, R.E.M., to the timeless GRAMMY® award-winning rock anthem “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced a rich and diverse lineup of launch week downloadable content for the highly-anticipatedGuitar Hero® World Tour.Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for two weeks starting October 30, the R.E.M. Track Pack features three songs, which can also be downloaded as singles, from the band’s newest album,Accelerate, “Horse to Water,” “Man-Sized Wreath” and “Supernatural Superserious.”
Available at the launch ofGuitar Hero World Touris the Classic Rock Track Pack that offers fans three rocking party anthems “Rock and Roll Band” by Boston, “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner and “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, also available for download individually.
Created specifically forGuitar Hero World Tour, the Guitar Duels, original compositions by Ted Nugent and Zakk Wylde, will be available for free at launch to download and play outside of the Career.
The 1990’s era-defining “No Rain” by alternative rock group Blind Melon will be available as downloadable content during the launch week ofGuitar Hero World Tour. The breakthrough single off the band’s quadruple platinum, self-titled album reached No. 1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock and U.S. Modern Rock charts and firmly planted the group in 1990s pop culture.
Fans who have been shredding to Metallica’s critically acclaimedDeath MagneticonGuitar Hero® III: Legends of Rocksince its day-and-date release with the album need not purchase the album again as it is forward compatible and will integrate seamlessly withGuitar Hero World Tour. TheDeath Magneticdownloadable album, compatible with bothGuitar Hero III: Legends of RockandGuitar Hero World Tour, will continue to be available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and in the PLAYSTATION®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment.
The R.E.M Track Pack, Classic Rock Track Pack and “No Rain” single will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and in the PLAYSTATION®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment.
When the house lights go down on October 26, a new generation of guitarists, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock withGuitar Hero World Tour. The latest installment in the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007,Guitar Hero World Tourtransforms music gaming by expandingGuitar 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 for the first time ever. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a 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 will also be able to share their recordings with their friends online throughGHTunesSMwhere other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.
Guitar Hero World Touris being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The Wii™ version is being developed by Vicarious Visions. The PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system version is being developed by Budcat. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information onGuitar Hero World Tour, please visitworldtour.guitarhero.com.
