Fender will have its instruments exclusively featured in the upcoming video game Rock Band, an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to experience and connect with music. In addition, Roland and Boss have agreed to have their brands featured within the game.

To deliver the ultimate interactive music experience in Rock Band, Harmonix and MTV have secured an agreement with Fender that will allow the Rock Band game controller peripheral to be modelled after the legendary Fender Stratocaster, one of the most enduring and iconic models of electric guitar in the world. In addition, Fender guitars, basses and amps will be exclusively featured in the game.

“Fender is pleased to be part of Rock Band and the exciting opportunity it offers passionate music fans and gamers,” said Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. “Our friends at Harmonix have done an amazing job of capturing the power and style of legendary Fender products within the virtual gaming experience and delivering it all in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.”

To further raise the level of Rock Band’s authenticity, Roland and Boss have agreed to have their brands featured in Rock Band in-game and via co-marketing.

"Part of Roland's mission is to bring people closer to the music they love. Rock Band certainly fulfills that goal by bringing a deeply interactive music experience to the world, and having Roland featured in the game is a great honour," stated Dennis Houlihan, President and CEO of Roland Corporation US.

“Like the Fender Stratocaster, Boss effects pedals have a long distinguished history,” states Boss US President Paul Youngblood. “We’ve worked with Fender on many projects in the past and we’re honoured to be sharing this experience with them. Having the Strat in Rock Band is going to take the virtual world by storm and when it does, we’ll be proud to have the Boss name and pedals right there with it.”

“The Stratocaster has been the weapon of choice for many of the world’s legendary guitarists. Giving players the opportunity to rock out using a guitar peripheral modelled after the Strat really adds to the authenticity of the experience,” said Alex Rigopulos, president and co-founder of Harmonix. “Many of the staff here at Harmonix play Fender and Roland instruments and use Boss effects pedals in their own bands, so we are thrilled to be able to work with these companies.”

Rock Band will allow players to play solo or recruit bandmates and jam side-by-side or virtually online, playing music from the greatest rock artists of all time. Built on unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and include many master recordings.

The title is slated for release on PlayStaion 3 and Xbox 360 in holiday 2007.

For more information, visit rockbandgame.com.

Electronic Arts will serve as the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game in the US, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.