Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is rocking the holiday season with a robust slate of games for the entire family.  Headlining is Guitar Hero World Tour, the latest installment in the best-selling music-based video game franchise, featuring everything from full band to guitar solo challenges.  Also touring are Call of Duty:  World at War, the most intense World War II experience ever; Quantum of Solace, which captures the edge and intrigue of the new Daniel Craig Bond series; Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, featuring the high-jinx and hilarity of the acclaimed feature film from DreamWorks Animation; and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, an original game featuring the most recognizable Super Hero of all time, Spider-Man. 

Following is a more detailed listing of Activision’s holiday game line-up, which is currently available at retailers in North America:

Call of Duty: World at War – Call of Duty: World at War takes players to a grittier WWII than ever before – from facing down Imperial Japanese Banzai charges and guerilla tactics in the Pacific, to exacting ruthless revenge as you beat back the enemy all the way to the steps of Berlin.  The title re-defines WWII games by offering an uncensored experience with unique enemies, jaw-dropping firepower like the flamethrower, and combat variety, including Kamikaze fighters and cunning ambush tactics.  For the first time in the franchise, Call of Duty: World at War also introduces co-operative gameplay, where up to four-players online, or two-players on a local split-screen, can experience harrowing single-player missions together for greater camaraderie and tactical execution.  The title also incorporates traditional multiplayer components such as challenges, rankings and online stats into the co-op campaign for deeper re-playability and advanced gameplay. (The game is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and is available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Wii and Games for Windows).  A “T” for Teen rated version is also available on Nintendo DS, while Call of Duty: World at War –  computer„¥Final Fronts, also rated “T”, is available on PlayStation2 entertainment system).
 

Guitar Hero World Tour - Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online for the first time ever. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, a drum kit controller and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators will also be able to share their recordings with friends online through GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations. (The game is rated “T” for Teen and is available on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation2 and Wii).
 

Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades - Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades allows gamers to Unleash Their Inner Rockstar anytime, anywhere and for the first time ever share their music with friends as they embark on a musical journey from the classics of the 1970’s through today’s greatest hits.  Unprecedented song streaming features allow players of Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades and the smash hit Guitar Hero®: On Tour to share songs and rock out together in multiplayer modes playing tracks from either version of the game. With a new library of music, characters and venues, the game delivers a portable way for gamers to Unleash Their Inner Rockstar while playing through the history of rock ’n’ roll.  (The game is rated “E10+” and is available on Nintendo DS).

Quantum of Solace – James Bond is back to settle the score in Quantum of Solace.  Introducing a more lethal and cunningly efficient Bond, the game blends intense first-person action with a unique third-person cover combat system that allows players to truly feel what it is like to be the ultimate secret agent as they use stealth, precision shooting and lethal hand-to-hand combat skills to progress through missions.  Seamlessly blending the heart-pounding action and excitement of the new “Quantum of Solace” and prior “Casino Royale” Bond films, the title propels players into the cinematic experience of international espionage.  (The game is rated “T” for Teen and is currently available on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation2, Wii, Nintendo DS and Games for Windows).

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa – In Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, the four famous zoo animals – Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo – and their entire madcap Madagascar crew take players on a whole new action-packed journey to help save the African savannah.  Assuming the roles of all their favorite characters, including those crafty penguins, players must work through 12 distinct levels featuring a variety of wild adventures and fun mini-games.  In addition to the diverse single-player gameplay, the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa video game delivers an enhanced multiplayer tournament mode allowing gamers to participate in outlandish competitions alongside or against friends and family.  (The game is rated “E10+” and is available on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Games for Windows.  An “E” rated version is also available on the PlayStation2, Wii and Nintendo DS).

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows – With a story penned by acclaimed Marvel comic book writer Brian Reed, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows features a New York City devastated by a deadly symbiote invasion, in which players are faced with the choice to play as the heroic web-slinger in his classic, agile red suit or the dark, formidable black suit. Battling with or against a huge cast of fan-favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains, gamers can switch allegiances instantly as they decide which missions will ultimately save mankind. An all-new combat system, combining web-slinging and customizable superpowers provides gamers the unrivaled opportunity to fight and explore in an open free-roaming and destructible environment.  In battle, Spider-Man’s speed and agility are tested within the diverse cityscape, challenging players to master fast-moving acrobatic combat, powerful new web-slinging moves and destructive combo attacks, as combat seamlessly migrates  from the streets, up the sides of buildings and onto rooftops.   (The game is rated “T” for Teen and is available on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii and Games for Windows.  “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older rated versions are available on DS, PlayStation2 and the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system).