Is Activision really getting sued again? No Doubt!

TMZ reports that the band No Doubt is suing Activision for "the unauthorized use of the No Doubt's name and likeness," in Band Hero, released on November 2. The band is suing for an injunction prohibiting the use of the band members' likenesses in songs other than the three No Doubt tracks included in the game, and seeks an undisclosed amount of damages.

The lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, claims that the game "transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act," a statement indicative of being able to play any of the game's more than 60 tracks using No Doubt avatars... Read more

A wealth of rhythm game news emerged out of Activision today, as the publisher detailed the first downloadable track packs coming to the just-released DJ Hero along with a rundown of the various tunes hitting Guitar Hero 5 across the next month.

Guitar Hero 5 Downloadable Content
November 5 - Band Hero Song Imports ($5 / 400 MS Points)
• 61 of 65 Tracks, Requires Band Hero
November 12 - Lenny Kravitz Track Pack... Read more

Following in the footsteps of many a great infomercial, this Band Hero DS trailer takes to the streets for real-life testimonials, impressions and thoughts from a chosen few.

Coming from Guitar Hero DS developer Vicarious Visions and packing support for guitar and drum peripherals--neither of which are compatible with the Nintendo DSi, with the latter only made for Nintendo DS Lite use--Band Hero hits Nintendo DS on November 3. PlayStation 3, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii versions arrive the same day.

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"She will be loved," a virtual rendition of "front man from Grammy Award winning band Maroon 5" Adam Levine assures us in this family-friendly clip from Band Hero.

Packing 65 on-disc tunes, Band Hero hits PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii on November 3. A separate Nintendo DS Lite version with 30 songs hits the same day.

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With just over two weeks to go until Band Hero hits North American store shelves, publisher Activision has listed all of the songs in the family-friendly rhythm game.

The company also touched on downloadable content support, writing that "fans can play almost all of their previously purchased Guitar Hero downloadable content," as well as detailed the cost of bringing Band Hero songs into Guitar Hero 5 and vice versa.

PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii Tracks

1. 3 Doors Down - "When I'm Gone"
2. The Airborne Toxic Event - "Gasoline"
3. The All American Rejects - "Dirty Little Secret"... Read more

If playing through a Taylor Swift single sounds exciting, you'll be thrilled to know that a Band Hero demo is now available on Xbox 360.

The 534MB download packs three tunes ("Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven, "Picture to Burn" by Taylor Swift, "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves) and lets players act as singer, guitarist, bassist or drummer, depending on their stock of plastic instruments.

It joins the recent Guitar Hero 5 demo that also features three tunes: "A-Punk" by Vampire Weekend, "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down, and "The Rock Show" by Blink-182. Both demos are currently limited to Gold members--Guitar Hero 5's should be available to everyone else tomorrow (Oct. 16), with Band Hero's following in a week (Oct. 22).

Band Hero hits PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS on November 3. Guitar Hero 5 hit all of those platforms, except Nintendo DS, in September.

Publisher Acitivision has revealed how Band Hero will be able to provide Nintendo DS Lite owners with a portable multi-instrument music game: through multiple accessories.

Developed by Vicarious Visions, the same studio that handled the three Guitar Hero: On Tour entries for Nintendo DS, Band Hero DS will support the "Guitar Grip" plug-in for guitar and bass play, with a new specialized "Drum Grip" placing drum pads on the DS Lite. Players will also be able to sing along thanks to the DS Lite's built-in microphone.

Today's announcement indicated that the DS Lite will be the only version of the portable hardware to support the "full band experience," as the "Drum Grip... Read more

Activision Publishing has announced its fall lineup will include new titles DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero, and confirmed the oft-rumoured Guitar Hero Van Halen.

When wielding DJ Hero's special turntable controller, players are transformed into world-class DJs spinning hip-hop, R&B, electronica, Motown and dance music.

Guitar Hero 5 brings drop-in drop-out play to the franchise, as well as the ability to change instruments and difficulty on the fly. The E10+-rated Band Hero intends to deliver Hero fun for the whole family with Top-40 hits and presumably no cussin' or sexy talk.

Guitar Hero Van Halen was confirmed in a separate mailing for release "the second half of this year", bringing a bevvy of Van Halen hits and music from a number of guest acts including Queen, Weezer, blink-182, The Offspring and Queens of the Stone Age.

No platforms were announced for any of the games, but history and rumours suggest the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2 and Wii are likely to be bopping hard this fall.

The full scoop from Activision's pillowy musical lips follows below... Read more

Guitar Hero publisher Activision has three more unannounced music games planned for 2009, a "source close to the publisher" has allegedly informed Eurogamer.

Hard Rock Van Halen and Band Hero are apparently slated to hit PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii in August and November, respectively. No further details on the games themselves were provided, such as how Band Hero differs from Guitar Hero.

Earlier this year, Activision promised a "major re-stage" of the Guitar Hero franchise with "all new differentiated Guitar Hero products" in the second half of 2009.

The third unannounced game appears to be another Guitar Hero title for the Nintendo DS, which will follow the June-due Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits.

The site further specified that already known efforts Guitar Hero 5 and DJ Hero will arrive in PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii form in October and September, respectively.

Activision has vowed to triple the amount of Guitar Hero releases by 2010. Guitar Hero Metallica arrives on PS3 and Xbox 360 in March, with Wii and PS2 vesions coming later, and Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits will hit the same platforms come June.