(MS) -- Finding quality time to spend with family is becoming more and more difficult, with the stress of busy work and school schedules and the upcoming holiday season. In order to spend valuable time together many families have started to gather to experience the age-old tradition of family game night but with a high-tech twist -- they are playing videogames. This holiday season, videogame publisher Activision Publishing is delivering several new ways for families to experience game night -- they can jam in a family band, learn to skate like Tony Hawk, rock the house with a turntable and save the world as only a super hero can. These games appeal to all ages and the sociability of being able to experience them as a family makes game night something to truly look forward to.
Ascend to Superstardom
with Friends and Family
This holiday season, families can come together and ascend the virtual stage as they rock their way to superstardom with Band Hero(TM), the highly-anticipated music game featuring chart-topping artists and great sing-along hits from today and yesterday. From the same people who brought the popular Guitar Hero(R) series, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone's favorite acts, including Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Lily Allen, and The All-American Rejects. Band Hero allows families to create the band they always dreamed of using any combination of guitar or drum controllers and vocals, providing rockers and performers of all ages the chance to experience and interact with their favorite music. Parents and their children will be able to sing any way they want with the all-new Sing-Along mode, which is like karaoke, and up to four players can showcase their vocal chops without worrying about scores or failing out. Rated "E10+" by the ESRB, Band Herois perfect for families looking to spend some fun, quality time together this holiday season.
"Riding" is the new way to play!
Few athletes have defined their sport the way Tony Hawk has defined skateboarding for generations of action sports fans. Now, his new game Tony Hawk(R): RIDE(TM) is set to reinvent video games with its unique motion sensing, hands-free skateboard controller. Players of all experience levels can step on the board and have a blast challenging friends and family in an active, social gaming experience. Set to be at the top of every kid's wish list this holiday, the skateboard controller allows families to play together as they physically control the action by performing cool moves on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game. By getting players off the couch and on the board breaking a sweat, Tony Hawk: RIDE, which is rated "E10+" by the ESRB, is a great choice to add fun with the family this holiday season.
Scratch and Mix the Hottest Hits
With the most diverse and international collection of music ever assembled in a music game, DJ Hero(TM) brings the party from nightclubs, block parties and dance halls to living rooms across the globe with an all-new interactive music experience that will appeal to every family member's musical tastes and allow players to hear music in a fresh, new way. Players can start the party by scratching, crossfading and sampling to 93 unique never-before-released mixes from some of the biggest acts in hip-hop, pop, rock and dance. DJ Hero allows up-and-coming turntablists of all ages to live out their superstar DJ fantasies with multiple gameplay modes such as DJ vs. DJ and guitar/DJ. Rated "T" for Teen (Mild Suggestive Themes, Lyrics) by the ESRB, DJ Hero is ideal for family get togethers, kids' birthday parties, dorm room cram session breaks or for fans looking for the coolest way to experience a new take on their favorite music.
Team Up as a Family of Marvel
Super Heroes and Super Villains
Families can now spend the holidays playing as some of the most popular Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains in Marvel(TM): Ultimate Alliance 2! In the highly anticipated sequel to 2006's award-winning Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, the game follows a storyline inspired by Marvel's popular Civil War comic-book storyline and enables up to four family members or friends to play at one time, online or off. Families can assemble their dream team from a roster of famed super heroes, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America and Iron Man and utilize interactive game dynamics that encourage teamwork, communication and strategy. Players can combat their enemies in graphically rich, real-world environments and must work together to make the ultimate choice: Will you fight for Super Hero registration with Iron Man or choose to defend personal liberty with Captain America? Rated "T" for Teen.
Holiday shoppers can find these games and more in retail stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.activision.com.
CAPTION: A game like Band HeroTM is perfect for families looking to spend some fun, quality time together this holiday season.










