A bundle of three tracks from British rock group Muse will be downloadable content for Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, publisher Activision announced today.

Slated to hit the Xbox 360's online Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation 3's online PlayStation Store on May 8, the pack contains the following songs:

• "Exo-Politics"
• "Supermassive Black Hole"
• "Stockholm Syndrome"

No price point was listed, though past Guitar Hero III track packs have sold for 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25).

Harmonix's competing music title Rock Band will be receiving a sole Muse track of its own, "Hysteria," as downloadable content at some point, likely later this month.

Music label Mercury Records has revealed that the Def Leppard single "Nine Lives" will debut as a downloadable track for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Two older Def Leppard tracks--"Rock of Ages" and "Photograph"--round out the three-song bundle, which will be available for download beginning April 24. Guitarist Phil Collen had previously indicated that a slightly different trio of tracks would instead appear in Guitar Hero IV.

Though the content will be available for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 users in North America April 24, European PlayStation 3 owners will have to wait until May 8 to obtain the track pack. According to Mercury, the April 24 release will give players the chance to experience the new track a week before its retail availability.

No pricing information was provided. Past Guitar Hero 3 track packs have sold for 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25).

A free downloadable Dropkick Murphys song pack is now available for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, bringing celtic punk rock to owners of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions.

Announced by publisher Activision earlier this month and intended to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the pack contains master recordings of "Famous for Nothing," "(F)lannigan's Ball" and "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya."

Publisher Activision today announced the release of a downloadable Modern Metal Track Pack for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Priced at 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25) and featuring master recordings of Deftones' "Hole in the Earth," Avenged Sevefold's "Almost Easy" and Thrice's "The Arsonist," the Modern Metal Pack is now available for purchase from the Xbox Live Marketplace. It should arrive in the online PlayStation Store later this afternoon.

The company also revealed its plans for a free trio of Dropkick Murphys tracks, slated for release in mid-March. Containing master recordings of "Famous for Nothing," "(F)lannigan's Ball" and "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya," the pack is intended to help celebrate of St. Patrick's Day.

New to the PlayStation Store this week is downloadable content for Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Harmonix's Rock Band, and Idol Minds' Pain.

Rock Band aficionados can now download three new Nine Inch Nails master recordings, including "The Perfect Drug", "The Collector", and "March of the Pigs". All three tracks are priced separately for $1.99 a piece, or as a bundle pack for $5.49. The tracks were made available on the Xbox Live Marketplace earlier this week.

PS3 owners who get their kicks with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock now have access to three No Doubt songs, which include "Don't Speak", "Excuse Me Mr", and "Sunday Morning" as performed by the band. The tracks, which are not sold individually, can be purchased in a bundle for $6.25.

Finally, a new playable character for Idol Minds' Pain, Scurv Dogg, is now available to download for a price of $0.99.

Activision has released a new track pack for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock devoted entirely to the ska-rock band No Doubt.

The No Doubt Track Pack includes the songs "Don't Speak", "Excuse Me Mr", and "Sunday Morning", all master recordings by the Anaheim band.

Selling for 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25), the package is available now on Xbox Live, and should make an appearance on the PlayStation Store today.

Update: Activision had contacted Shacknews, clarifying that the below details, as reported by Primotech, are not accurate.

"The information they put out is not correct," explained the rep. "Normally if something leaks and the information is accurate, that's one thing, but in this case it's not."

Specific corrections and proper details were not available as of this writing.

Original Story: RedOctane and Activision have revealed shots and details of the standalone wireless Les Paul guitars for Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS2, PS3, X360, Wii), Primotech is reporting.

Gamers looking to add a second rocker to their lonely solo projects can... Read more

A bundle of three new tracks for Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock are now available to Xbox 360 owners through the console's online marketplace.

Listed as a "Classic Rock Pack" and priced at 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25), the bundle contains Boston's "Peace of Mind," Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero," and Journey's "Any Way You Want It." All three tracks are performed by the original artists.

Hints that the songs were on the way first appeared on the official ... Read more

Activision announced today that the Guitar Hero franchise has raked in more than $1 billion in retail revenue in the 26 months since its original release in 2005, setting a new industry record.

The sales were spread across the entire franchise, which includes Harmonix's Guitar Hero (PS2), Guitar Hero II (PS2, X360), Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80's (PS2) and Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, X360). Additionally, Guitar Hero III was the #1 selling game in 2007, which itself was a record year for the gaming industry.

Activision also noted that over 5 million songs have been downloaded for Guitar Hero III since downloadable content for the game launched last November, including both song purchases and free downloads. Harmonix's Rock Band (PS3, X360), meanwhile, has registered over 2.5 million song downloads since its launch two months ago.

Replacement discs for the Wii version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock should begin shipping in Feburary.

"The game has been approved by Nintendo and is currently in manufacturing," publisher Activision wrote in an e-mail to those who had registered for a replacement disc. "We expect to have the replacement discs available in February."

After the game released in late October, it came to light that the Vicarious Visions-developed Wii edition of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III outputted songs in mono, though all other versions of the game were unaffected. Activision later acknowledged the issue and announced that it would provide replacement discs.

To register for a new disc, consumers are urged to visit ActivisionGameExchange or call (866) 780-8286 between 8:00am-8:00pm EST, Monday-Friday.

The next three downloadable tracks for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock may be songs from Foreigner, Journey and Boston.

Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero," Journey's "Any Way You Want It" and Boston's "Peace of Mind" are all listed on the game's online leaderboards, though the tracks have not yet been announced.

A cover of "Juke Box Hero" was among the first pieces of downloadable content released by Guitar Hero creator Harmonix for its competing title... Read more

Publisher Activision has opened pre-registration for the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Wii disc replacement program, which will provide owners of the Wii edition with a remastered disc that correctly outputs stereo and Dolby Pro Logic II sound.

"Customers based in North America wanting to pre-register for a free replacement disc can call (866) 780-8286 from 8:00am-8:00pm EST, Monday-Friday, and we will notify you once the replacement discs are available," reads Activision's support page on the matter.

Shortly after the game's late October launch, it came to light that the Vicarious Visions-developed Wii edition of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III only outputted songs in mono, though all other versions of the game were unaffected. Almost a month later, Activision acknowledged the issue and announced that it would provide replacement discs, which are slated to ship in early 2008.

As announced last week, the latest batch of downloadable content for Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS3, PS2, X360, Wii) has arrived on the Xbox Live Marketplace, granting the gaming populace with six new premium tracks and a free holiday tune.

Steve Ouimette's cover of "We Three Kings" represents the seasonally-themed giveaway, while the 500 Microsoft Point ($6.25) Warner/Reprise Track Pack contains Linkin Park's "No More Sorrow," Mastodon's "Sleeping Giant," and The Used's "Pretty Handsome Awkward."

The other three tracks--Extremoduro's "So Payaso," Trust's "Antisocial" and Die Fantastischen Vier's "Ernten Was Wir Säen"--sell individually for 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50).

Though not yet available to PlayStation 3 owners, the tracks are expected to be part of today's PlayStation Store update.

Activision has detailed an upcoming song pack and single songs arriving as downloadable content on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, X360). Billed as coming "in time for the holidays," it's likely the songs will hit Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network sometime next week.

The Warner/Reprise Track Pack will include master track versions of mainstream rap-rock group Linkin Park's "No More Sorrow," heavy metal band Mastodon's "Sleeping Giant," and screamo goth poseurs The Used's "Pretty Handsome Awkward."

For single track downloads, three European bands have offered up tracks: "So Payaso," from Spanish rockers Extremoduro, "Antisocial" from French rock outfit Trust, and "Ernten Was Wir Säen" from the obviously German hip hop group Die Fantastischen Vier.

Both the track pack and single track downloads will sell for an unspecified amount, likely to be in line with previous pricing schemes. But in the spirit of Christmas, a cover of "We Three Kings" by Guitar Hero cover artist Steve Ouimette will be available for download free of charge.

Activision has sharply responded to statements made earlier this week by MTV Games-owned Harmonix that the Guitar Hero III publisher blocked the release of a patch intended to allow compatibility between Harmonix's Rock Band and PlayStation 3 versions of Activision's Guitar Hero III guitar controller.

According to Activision, Harmonix and MTV were the companies blocking progress--not Activision, its subsidiary publisher Red Octane, and Guitar Hero III developer Neversoft.

"The recent announcement by MTV Games/Viacom's Harmonix division that Activision is blocking Sony from releasing a patch and their plea to enable Rock Band software to work with Guitar Hero hardware paints a very misleading picture," reads the statement, released to the press tonight.

"In fact, Harmonix and its parent company MTV Games/Viacom recently declined Activision's offer to reach an agreement that would allow the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers with Rock Band, the statement continues. "We have been and remain open to discussions with Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom about the use of our technology in Rock Band. Unfortunately for Rock Band users, in this case Harmonix and MTV Games/Viacom are unwilling to discuss an agreement with Activision."

The nature of Activision's proposed agreement was not stated. "Activision's top priority is to provide consumers with a seamless marriage of best-in-class hardware and software. We are focusing our efforts on innovating hardware and software that are designed to work together, work flawlessly and provide an enjoyable gaming experience," concludes the statement.

Meanwhile, platform holder Sony Computer Entertainment has declined to comment in any significant way on the matter. "At SCEA, we of course want this resolved and to ensure the best possible gaming experience," the company said in a statement. "We encourage MTV, Harmonix and Activision to discuss this among themselves so there can be an amicable resolution in the best interest of the consumer."

Following complaints that the Wii version of Neversoft and Vicarious Visions' Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock outputs only mono sound, publisher Activision has announced that free remastered game discs will be offered to owners by early 2008.

"We recently became aware that some consumers have not been able to enjoy the full audio output in the Nintendo Wii version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock," said Activision's Rhy-Ming Poon to IGN.

"We are currently working with Nintendo and are planning to issue an improved audio experience in future versions of the game," continued Poon. "We expect to have re-mastered discs available by early 2008 and we will be offering consumers replacement discs at no cost once they become available. We thank all of our customers for their support and patience."

Activision subsidiary RedOctane hopes to provide Wii owners with downloadable content for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock in 2008.

"There is no definite timetable in place but we are hoping it will be soon," the company told Nintencast. "Downloadable content for the Wii is something we are working very hard on getting in place for the new year."

Before the game released, RedOctane was unsure if downloadable content would be available for Wii owners, with developer Vicarious Visions said to be working with Nintendo in its attempts to find a solution.

Thus far, downloadable content for the Neversoft-developed PS3 and Xbox 360 versions has delivered new songs--some free, some not--to wanna-be rockers.

Contrary to retailer listings for standalone Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) wireless guitars, the game's plastic axes won't be available for purchase until next year. Activision made the announcement today, giving a vague "early 2008" window for the peripherals.

The wireless guitars are the newest models from RedOctane that came bundled with Guitar Hero III at its October release, with the PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 guitars modeled after a Gibson Les Paul. The wireless PS2 guitar features the stylings of a Gibson Kramer.

Though the PC version of the game comes bundled with a wired guitar shaped like a Gibson X-Plorer, Shacknews has confirmed that the game can be controlled with the wireless Xbox 360 guitar when used in conjunction with the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows.

For Rock Band (PS2, PS3, X360) players, the Xbox 360 Guitar Hero III wireless guitar works with the 360 version of Harmonix's title as well, making it an option for an extra guitar in the ensemble rhythm game. Unfortunately, all the wireless guitars have been known to operate with less-than-perfect functionality.

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Microsoft and Activision will be providing Xbox 360 owners with a free downloadable Guitar Hero III song pack featuring the MJOLNIR remix of the Halo theme.

Slated to arrive on Xbox Live Marketplace on Thursday, November 22, the song was written, composed, and performed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, and has Steve Vai on the guitars.

"It's a real pleasure to hear one of the best loved and most iconic themes from Bungie's Halo Universe in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock," noted O'Donnell.

Joining the newly available Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver song packs for Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, PS2, PS3, X360), the Boss Battle Track Pack is now available as a free download on Xbox Live.

The 72MB download contains the three boss battle songs from the career mode and allows gamers to play them as quickplay tracks or in multiplayer matches. The pack includes Steve Ouimette's cover of the Charlie Daniels Band's "Devil Went Down to Georgia", and the two original compositions by Tom Morello and Slash.

The three-song pack is not yet available for download on the PlayStation Network, though Activision said it should arrive this month as well.