Purchase Music from 2010 VMA Nominees, from Lady Gaga to Snoop Dogg and more, to Play with Rock Band

Cambridge, Mass. – Sept. 2, 2010 – The kick-off to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and the launch of Rock Band ^TM 3 is under way – and you don’t want to leave your Xbox LIVE ^® avatar behind!

Harmonix and MTV Games today announced the worldwide launch of the all-new Rock Band ^TM 3 Avatar Store on Xbox LIVE, featuring exclusive MTV Video Music Awards– and Rock Band 3– themed collections for fans’ avatars for the Xbox 360 ^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Rock Band fans can also rock out with their favorite artists nominated for a VMA, including Lady Gaga and Green Day, among others, as well as purchase tracks from rap legend Snoop Dogg that will be released on September 7th.

Rock Band 3 Avatar Store:

Starting today, fans can join a long line of memorable acceptance speeches when they purchase their own MTV Moonman statue by September 22nd, or literally become one with the Moonman when they purchase the MTV Moonman space suit. In addition, fans can be among the first to show off hot new outfits and brand new music instruments – including for the first time keyboards and drums – that will be featured on the Rock Band 3 game disc.

Featured under the Games Collections on Xbox LIVE, the Rock Band 3 Avatar Store features outfits, accessories and musical instruments for Xbox LIVE avatars to wear. Items available range from 80 to 400 Microsoft Points and include the MTV Moonman statue and MTV Moonman Space Suit, as well as full outfits, tops, bottoms, shoes and props, including a Fender ^TM Stratocaster ^TM , a keyboard and drums.

Check out all the Xbox LIVE Avatar Marketplace has to offer here: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/avatar/default.htm.

To download images of select items available in the Rock Band 3 Avatar Store click here.

Rock Band Music Store:

Also in anticipation of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, the Rock Band Music Library features music from a whopping nine artists that are nominated this year.

• 30 Seconds to Mars
• The Black Keys
• Gorillaz
• Green Day
• Lady Gaga
• Muse
• P!nk
• Paramore
• Snoop Dogg

Click on each artist to see what tracks he or she has available for Rock Band gameplay. These tracks are available in the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360 ^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation ^® 3 computer entertainment system and Wii ^TM .

Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Storeusing Wii Points ^TM purchased through the Wii ^TM Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

The “2010 MTV Video Music Awards” will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 9PM (Live ET / Tape delayed PT). This year’s show will feature performances from Eminem, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, usher, B.o.B. and Florence and the Machine. Comedian Chelsea Handler is slated to host.

With more than 30 awards and nominations following its impressive E3 2010 debut, including multiple Best Music and Best Casual/Social Game accolades,Rock Band 3 will feature an incredible 83-song setlist and access to far more music than any other music game, as well as innovative new game play modes and instruments. In addition to guitar, bass, drums and solo vocals, Rock Band 3 adds three-part vocal harmonies and introduces a keyboard peripheral to the band. The game will be released on October 26th in North America and October 29th for rest of world.