Nirvana, Love weigh in on Cobain in Guitar Hero 5

Two of Nirvana’s three surviving band members are not very happy with the way Activision’s Guitar Hero 5 portrays Kurt Cobain. How displeased? Well, apparently enough to issue a joint statement sharing their disapproval.

Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, former bassist and drummer for Nirvana, respectively, have issued a statement about how the game portrays Cobain in a way that they feel is inappropriate. While both have no legal say in the matter, they said that they were dismayed and disappointed with Kurt’s avatar being used related to non-Nirvana songs and doing things uncharacteristic of his persona.

The duo have asked Activision to lock the avatar so that it can be used for only Nirvana songs. Of course, that probably won’t happen unless fans complain about it enough, because the idea of an unlockable character is that you use him or her any way you see fit. Instead, perhaps Activision should alter the animation so that it doesn’t allow him to do anything unbecoming of a grunge icon.

Meanwhile, Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, is using twitter to lambaste Activision, promising a lawsuit over the way her husband is being portrayed in the game. Obviously she didn’t show due dilligence in protecting that image when she or entities that represented her signed licensing agreements for the game.

“For the record this Guitar Hero shit is breach of contract on a Bullys part and there will be a proper addressing of this and retraction,” Love tweeted. “WE are going to sue the shit out of Activision we being the Trust the Estate the LLC the various LLCs Cobain Enterprises.”

For its part Activision has only said the following: “Guitar Hero secured the necessary licensing rights from the Cobain estate in a written agreement signed by Courtney Love to use Kurt Cobain’s likeness as a fully playable character in Guitar Hero 5.”

While Activision probably hasn’t done anything that could harm them in a court of law, it could have done a better job of respecting Cobain’s image and legacy. Having Kurt Cobain act in that manner would be like putting Jim Morrison in Guitar Hero 5 and having him moonwalk.

Source: MTV Multiplayer, Joystiq

This week at retail: Sept. 1 - 5, 2009

This week at retail we’ll see a parade of tiny ninjas, hunters, super heroes, cruise ship personnel and rock gods. Highlights include Champions Online, Gears of War GotY Edition, Guitar Hero 5 for various platforms, and Section 8:

Week of September 1, 2009:

- Battlefield 1943 - PC (EA)

- Cabela’s Outdoor Adventure - Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 (Activision)

- Champions Online - PC (Atari)

- Champions Online Official Strategy Guide - for PC game (Brady Games)

- Cruise Ship Vacation Games - Wii (Activision)

- Gears of War 2 Game Of The Year Edition - Xbox 360 (Microsoft)

- Guitar Hero 5 Guitar Kit - Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 (Activision)

- Guitar Hero 5 Standalone - Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 (Activision)

- IL 2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey - Xbox 360, PS3 (505 Games)

- Mini Ninjas - Wii, DS, Xbox 360, PS3, PC (Eidos)

- Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Wii (Ignition)

- Section 8 - Xbox 360, PS3, PC (SouthPeak)

- Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny - PSP (Namco Bandai Games)

Kurt Cobain, Matt Bellamy playable in Guitar Hero 5

Fight! MTV Games has The Beatles, but Guitar Hero 5 will have the popular Nirvana frontman as a playable character. Activision announced that Kurt Cobain will be a playable character in the game and that two songs will be included: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and a live version of “Lithium” that was never released. Cobain joins plenty of other playable characters including one of my favorites - Johnny Cash - who comes with his classic hit “Ring of Fire.” Oh, and don’t forget guitar legend Carlos Santana..

And in other Guitar Hero 5 news, Matt Bellamy will take the virtual stage as an in-game playable character as well. In addition to his likeness, the frontman of UK alternative band Muse is bringing one of the band’s most popular singles, “Plug in Baby,” to the game’s 85 song on-disc set list.

Scheduled to hit store shelves on September 1, Guitar Hero 5 will be released for the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2.

Activision reveals new details on various ‘Hero’ games

Activision announced today that five live downloadable tracks from the 1969 concert by The Rolling Stones will be digitally released for Guitar Hero 5, to coincide with ABKCO ’s 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set release of GET YER YA-YA’S OUT.

In Europe, from launch day through January 6, 2010, “Satisfaction (Live),” “Under My Thumb (Live)” and “I’m Free (Live)” will be released as singles exclusively via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360. Two additional live tracks, “Prodigal Son (Live)” and “You Gotta Move (Live)” will also be available at launch as downloads on Xbox LIVE, the PlayStation Store and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for Wii.

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The complete Guitar Hero 5 track list

Activision has revealed the final 15 tracks to be showcased in the 85 song set list in Guitar Hero 5. Among the collection of current hits and classic artists are Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” TV On The Radio’s “Wolf Like Me,” Muse’s “Plug In Baby,” Stevie Wonder’s classic “Superstition” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Also joining the set list in Guitar Hero 5 and making their music video game debut are Arctic Monkeys and Dire Straits.

Guitar Hero 5 ships on September 1. The new tracks, along with previously revealed tracks, can be found after the jump:

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Glue Mobile secures top Activision titles

Glu Mobile announced plans to release a Modern Warfare 2 mobile game, published as part of the company’s expanded partnership with Activision Publishing, . The mobile title will be available in Q4 2009 and will be published worldwide for carriers and application stores that support Android, Blackberry, BREW, J2ME and Windows Mobile.

Glu did not disclose much about the game, save that they love Infinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2 and will build upon what it delivers later this year.

The company also announced plans to release some other high profile Activision-related mobile games later this year. Games in the works for various mobile platforms include Crash Mutant Island (Q3 2009) Blur, Guitar Hero 5 and Tony Hawk: RIDE - available in Q4 2009. The titles will be published worldwide for carriers and application stores that support Android, Blackberry, BREW, J2ME and Windows Mobile.

Guitar Hero 5 complete set list

In addition to showing off Guitar Hero 5 at E3 this week in Los Angeles, Activision has revealed the complete list of songs that players can shred to when the game ships on September 1. Guitar Hero 5 features the a diversified set list made up of songs from some of the hottest bands of today to all-time favorite classic anthems, spanning multiple genres including hard rock, classic rock, indie rock, metal and more.

The complete list of artists and bands to be featured in Guitar Hero 5 can be found after the break. Get ready to scroll.

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