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In addition to looking at the lighter and weirder side of the game industry, System Update provides the latest information on weekly console updates, DLC, game-specific updates, and other game-industry flotsam and jetsam.

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Guitar Hero touring with Sting, Tool

For the first time in the Guitar Hero franchise, last year's Legends of Rock allowed gamers to play as (or against) likenesses of real-life axe-men. Unfortunately, the lineup of legends was rather slim, consisting of former Guns N' Roses member Slash, ex-Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, and the devil.

For this year's Guitar Hero World Tour, Activision is expanding the authenticity a bit. The publisher has previously announced such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, and Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan would be in the game, and today, the publisher added Police singer/bassist Sting to the list. Players will be able to take Sting through the game's vocal Career mode or play alongside him on The Police song "Demolition Man."

While the progressive metal act Tool won't have its members' likenesses in World Tour, the band is contributing a trio of songs to the setlist: "Parabola," "Schism," and "Vicarious." The game will also include an in-game venue designed in conjunction with Tool to reflect the band's signature style, as seen in album art, videos, and more.

Guitar Hero World Tour is being developed by Neversoft for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Vicarious Visions is prepping the Wii edition of the game, while Budcat is handling the PlayStation 2 version. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

150 Comments

  • oiamgodo

    Posted Sep 17, 2008 6:08 pm PT

    Yup, Tool is the best band in the world and no other being or band of beings could ever achieve the status they have.

  • Maddie_McCann

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 4:56 pm PT

    BTW all these teenagers saying Tool has sold out...my third eye cries out to you, GET A LIFE EMO'S!

  • Maddie_McCann

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 4:43 pm PT

    Maynard you legend! Jimi also!? Cant wait for this game, im gonna re-create a Metallica song just to piss them off, theyve sucked since the birth of the 90's and now i can have my revenge. HA HA HA >XD

  • AphexSpawn

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 2:49 pm PT

    Ultimatesniper9 is a moron. Who obviously doesn't even know what TooLs about if he thinks their a sell out for this. Why the hell would Trent do it for rb its just another way to get their music out there, its no worse than playing a venue damn fool.

  • elmark0

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 1:25 pm PT

    How the hell does being involved with Guitar Hero have anything to do with selling out? Tool are huge fans of guitar hero. Why wouldn't they want to put some of their songs in it? I swear the average age of people on this site is quite close to the average iq of people on here.

  • dillngerESCplan

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 12:24 pm PT

    For everyone that thinks tool is selling out, which is probably the FAN-BOYS that listen to them on the radio only. Go listen or download the song Hooker With a Penis from the AEnima album. There is your answer right there. They Sold out a looong time ago and they know it.

  • Warshock

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 7:19 am PT

    GO TOOL!?!?!?!?! JUST because of this, and I know this sounds very loserish... but.. Just because TOOL is on GHWT... i'm buying it.. Forget about RB2.... or Rock Band in general...

  • parcel98

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 5:54 pm PT

    Honestly, I don't think that Tool are selling out. As long as they're not on MTV or iTunes I don't care. This is a chance for Tool fans who don't play drums/bass/guitar irl to experience their musical intensity first-hand.

  • ArdcoreCasualty

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 4:11 pm PT

    I'm really looking forward to playing the Tool songs, but it feels so wrong for them to do this kind of thing. I've always viewed them as above publicity and commercial stuff - this just makes them another metal band, even if they're not doing it for a sell out. I don't know what kind of fans some people are to stop listening to their music after this. They will remain my favourite band but this leaves a slight dent in their gloriously pretentious image.

  • OleMann

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 8:30 am PT

    I've been waiting for this to become official, and with the Tool songs announced, I must say they've made three excellent choices. This is going to be bad-ass, period.

  • ryno34

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 6:40 am PT

    WHAT ABOUT SOME "BLACK LABEL SOCIETY"??!!

  • skullboy950

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 6:24 pm PT

    Tool + Schism = Kickass!

  • reg0dchris

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 4:56 pm PT

    Okay you guys, seriously. I hate how elitist some Tool fans can be. While I love the band and am surprised that they would put their songs on GH, I'm still super happy because I've wanted to play something besides the general crap they put on there. Those of you who say people are 'undeserving' and stuff like that, who the hell are you to say that someone is 'undeserving'. Besides, it's MUSIC!! You don't have to be extra special to listen to a band. As someone previously stated, Tool doesn't get much mainstream radio play (aside from The Pot) so this is a good way for people who haven't had a chance to hear them yet to discover the amazingness that is Tool. The fact that they have a venue designed BY Tool shows that they still have their own style, and through both the music and visuals, people will hopefully be able to see some of what Tool is all about.

    In short, don't think you're better than anybody because "OMGWTF I lissend to toolz b4 thy wr on a videogame now thy r totaly ghey amirite?!?!!!!one!11!!"

  • andalore

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 11:51 am PT

    C'mooooon Chester Bennington!!!

  • Ultimatesniper9

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 9:25 am PT

    Well I think there selling out cause what they stand for is not to sell out like putting your songs in some pop culture product. I can just see it now, flash backs to the years 2000s on much more music showing off guitar hero and rock band like the cabbage patch kids. Well I guess there getting old and times have changed. Moneys more important.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 7:13 am PT

    I prefer to play as 'myself' with a custom made player than then take them to 'stardom' so all these real people GH is putting in is just enhancing a feature I could care less about.

    In fact this just seems like a cheap way to continue to get press coverage leading up to the release...

  • lorien665

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 4:59 am PT

    Yay....good news cant wait for the pumpkins!!

  • e424pd5

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 1:51 am PT

    Ultimatesniper9.....I do play a "real" guitar and bass, but I find the fact that I can put in this game, jam to some Tool and have fun with my friends who can't play "real" instruments, fun and enjoyable. Maybe if you opened your closed mind and relax, you'll have some fun too. Are people going to understand their songs by playing the game, I think not. But will they have fun, absolutely!

  • vXnXP

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 1:19 am PT

    OMG Tool
    wooohooo

  • dRuGGeRnaUt

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 12:56 am PT

    F!@# and i just got rockband... G*d D@mnit....

  • sksknight1

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 11:13 pm PT

    They're badass so look them up.

  • padouke

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 9:53 pm PT

    sweet, sting is cool, but who the heck is Tool? never heard of them...

  • chad_giac

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 3:49 pm PT

    lol oiamgodo.
    you are a tool.

  • oiamgodo

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 3:20 pm PT

    otanikun. you are a queer-bait.

  • Omnipresence

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 2:46 pm PT

    Parabola, oh HELL YES.
    Maybe... Pet by A Perfect Circle would go down nice as well.
    Argh. I wanted this originally. Now I can't wait.

  • mach-stem

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 1:29 pm PT

    Oh, and as for ppl saying Tool is selling out: shut it. I have seen Tool several times over the last 30 years of my life and the simple fact that they release THEIR music with THEIR style and rarely have radio songs, should prove to you that they have not sold out.

    The music market and gaming market have seemingly merged, and for a band to thrive in the face of this obvious merger, having them sign up for games such as GH and RB is an obvious attempt to lure in their fan base.

    I for one don't play, but my wife does. I always ask if the following bands are involved: Tool, NiN and System of a Down. NiN and SoaD are crossed off my list with Rock Band, and now Tool. I hope they decide to release a pack or full album for DLC, since I will be the first to buy point to purchase it (we have it on the x360)

    Don't trash a band because they adapt to YOUR lives. Welcome them and have fun. That's what they want from you, if you're a true fan.

    Now shut it.

    PEACE

  • mach-stem

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 1:25 pm PT

    TOOL!!!!!!! Nuff said!

  • ManKelly

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 12:31 pm PT

    Finaly some good music. Parabola and Schism are Way better then what they usualy have on there. To bad they dont have sober or prison sex though...

  • HueyPN

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 11:52 am PT

    In response to everyone that says Tool is selling out: SHUT UP

    If Tool was really selling out, they'd be making Nintendo DS games for little kids. But think about it, they need money too, so they can make more music. TGhe sad part is, they signed for this game because of people like you who don't support them, and download all their songs off of Limewire. Maybe if you had actually bought a copy of Aenema of Lateralus, they wouldnt need to put their music on GH so you fanboys could moan and complain. Buy an album, stop the whining.

  • Ultimatesniper9 posted Sep 7, 2008 10:01 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Ultimatesniper9

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 10:01 am PT (hide)

    WoW is all I have to say, nice way to sellout Tool. Now all these little kids get to hear the great wonders but not understand them man why don't you guys pick up real guitars and drums and actually play them. Sorry Tool the magic is gone for me now.

  • tecnaka

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 8:39 am PT

    yeahhhhhhhh jimi hendrix he is one of the best it will be cool play as him

  • lord_destro

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 7:50 am PT

    TOOL love it i want songs from undertow!!!

  • otanikun

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 7:40 am PT

    Couldn't have picked better artists other than Tool and Sting? Disappointing, but it's GH so I'll deal with it.

  • blarg_blarg

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 6:54 am PT

    I love The Police and I worship Sting.

  • tawagivercetti

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 5:00 am PT

    Tool!!! YEH!!! best band ever? yes. Can't wait for the Tool venue, Adam Jones will hopefully be incharge of these bits!!!

  • chaingun543

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 10:50 pm PT

    I just wish Tool had picked Rock Band instead so I wouldn't have to fork over any money to these guys. I just hope they don't find a way to butcher the drum charts for any of these songs. I'm sure the guitar chart will be full of 3 note chords and butchered to hell, but that's a given with NeverSoft. I just wish the 2 companies could get back together...NeverSoft makes the peripherals and then leaves the actual gameplay and note charting to HMX. Hopefully Tool REALLY sells out and makes Aenima a DLC album for RB2

  • brain20035

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 10:36 pm PT

    TOOL???!!!!
    I never thought that they might use them!! They ROCK! It's really a dream come true for me!

  • ruffluffs

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 10:14 pm PT

    some a perfect circle would be nice too

  • the_greenzero

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 9:33 pm PT

    I'm looking forward to Schism in the game, favorite Tool song.

  • e424pd5

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 9:06 pm PT

    WiiLover243

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 7:48 pm GMT

    What Does tool mean?????????


    UUUUMMMMMMM......I can't really tell you without my comments being deleted. Use your imagination! Hint: it's a body part.

  • Sophy55

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 2:45 pm PT

    Anyone else a bit nervous about the drumming in the Tool songs? I'm looking forward to imitating the crunchy licks that Danny Carey throws down.

  • cpstraus1

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 2:16 pm PT

    Even if this is wried for Tool it's still F*cking awesome!

  • madgamer11087

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 2:13 pm PT

    rock band sucks. go guitar hero world tour

  • ctg867

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    My excitement is mounting. Between the kick ass instruments, diverse setlist, and a ton of cool new game features, I'm 100% on board. Can't wait till October.

  • aquabot

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 12:05 pm PT

    I mean, don't get me wrong. I love Tool a lot. Probably a lot more than the next guy... and it's cool on one level that I might get to play the guitar game there with their music... but on the other hand, it still feels like Tool choking down a big fat d***. Is that just me?

  • HyruleKing83

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 11:58 am PT

    @WiiLover243...???? Tool Is A Band. One of the sweetest bands in the past 20 years.

  • WiiLover243

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 11:48 am PT

    What Does tool mean?????????

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