First Guitar Hero 5 details revealed

Last week, Activision officially confirmed that Guitar Hero 5 would arrive this fall, bringing with it an "unprecedented level of control over the way [people] play the game." As for more specific details on the next flagship installment in its burgeoning rhythm game franchise, Activision was planning on sitting tight until closer to this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, which runs June 1-4 in Los Angeles.

Unfortunately for Activision--though good for gamers--one of the publisher's publicity partners had other ideas, unofficially releasing an official press release for the game today. As detailed by the announcement, Guitar Hero 5 will include a number of tweaks and additions over Guitar Hero World Tour, which was released in November for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, and PC to positive reviews.

Notably, the release offered a look at Guitar Hero 5's set list. Songs listed as part of the errant announcement include The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," The White Stripes' "Blue Orchid," Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream," Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," and Kings of Leon's "Sex on Fire."

The release also stated that gamers will no longer be restricted to the one-instrument, one-player rules that have defined the series and its rival Rock Band. Instead, rhythm rockers will be able to use any combination of instruments for any given song, with Activision giving the example of two guitars and two drums rocking out together. Gameplay modes mentioned were Party Play and RockFest. Taking a page out of MTV Games' playbook, Activision also said that all Guitar Hero World Tour downloadable content will be compatible with Guitar Hero 5. The publisher also said that all-new features introduced with Guitar Hero 5 will be retroactively applied to tunes from the older game.

Activision had not responded to requests for comment on the unintentional announcement as of press time.