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MTV Games, Harmonix and Electronic Arts Ship Rock Band Unplugged(TM) For PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) System to Stores in North America and Europe

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 May 2009, 13:02 CDT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS), announced that Rock Band Unplugged(TM) for the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system ships to stores in North America and Europe today!

Developed by Harmonix in partnership with Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment studio, Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of players' hands by combining traditional beatmatch gameplay with key elements from both Rock Band(TM) and Rock Band(TM)2. The hands are the "peripherals" in Rock Band Unplugged allowing players to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals. In addition, players can capture a deep and interactive Rock Band experience by taking their band on the road in World Tour mode, practicing their chops in the Band Warmup Mode, or by taking on the most extreme musical challenge imaginable in Band Survival mode.

Rock Band Unplugged features 41 master recordings including nine songs new to the Rock Band music catalog that are exclusive to the PSP system for a limited time! Plus, Rock Band Unplugged features the first in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system leveraging the PSP system's wireless capabilities and powered by PlayStation(R)Network.

Rock Band Unplugged Pricing Information:

• Rock Band Unplugged software (North America) MSRP $39.99
• Rock Band Unplugged software (Continental Europe) MSRP euro 39.99
• Rock Band Unplugged software (United Kingdom) MSRP pounds Sterling 29.99
• Limited Edition Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack (North America) MSRP $199.99

The limited edition Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack from Sony Computer Entertainment America includes the game, a "Piano Black" PSP system, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo(TM), and, in the United States only, a voucher to download Paramount Pictures' School of Rock from PlayStation(R)Store. The Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack will be available in North America only.

Rock Band Unplugged is rated "T" for Teen with descriptors of Lyrics and Suggestive Themes by the ESRB. Rock Band Unplugged is rated PEGI 12+. Please visit www.pegi.info for rating information.

For more information on Rock Band Unplugged and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com/unplugged and www.harmonixmusic.com.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.

About MTV Games

MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.

Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.

About Electronic Arts Inc.

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

About Backbone Entertainment

Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment Studio based in Emeryville, California, is a long-standing developer of original, classic, and re-imagined games for all major platforms. Established in 1992 with an early foundation in emulations, conversions, and handheld games, the studio then broadened its focus to develop games for consoles. Backbone Entertainment is a leading developer of downloadable titles for XBLA and PSN, and specializes in clever games based on original and popular gaming franchises. The studio is one of the most experienced developers in the industry, and has shipped over 230 titles across all platforms over the last sixteen years. For more information please visit www.backboneentertainment.com.

About Foundation 9 Entertainment

Foundation 9 Entertainment is the largest independent games developer in North America. The company has studios across North America, Europe and Asia, making it a development powerhouse, uniquely positioned to deliver quality games on all gaming platforms for all age groups. The company's studios are masters in working with original and licensed properties and have collectively developed more than 600 titles since 1992, including more than 45 in 2008 alone. For more information, please visit: www.f9e.com.

(C) 2009 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., a MTV Networks company. Rock Band developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Backbone and the Backbone logo are trademarks of Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment company. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. "PlayStation", the "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

SOURCE MTV

Source: PR Newswire

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