Hands-On Mobile, Inc., the world's leading developer of connected games and applications, in partnership with Activision Publishing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVID), today announced the availability of Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass for mobile phones. The game is available today on select carriers nationwide.

Backstage Pass adds a whole new dimension to the Guitar Hero universe and offers more than 25 hours of gameplay. Players assume the identities of Axel Steel or Judy Nails and promote their band and music on TV and radio, build buzz and street cred, create demo tapes, sign record contracts, handle press interviews, rehearse songs and play shows. By achieving certain career goals, players can unlock several guitars to strengthen their performance. Players can also earn in-game money, which can be used to buy new guitars to play at a variety of venues in an effort to gain the attention of record labels and soar to the top of the charts.

"Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass offers Guitar Hero fanatics and casual gamers a way to play the gigs they love, but now there is an added element of working to get the gigs and seeing what it's really like for an artist to work their way to the top," said Niccolo de Masi, President of Hands-On Mobile. "The Guitar Hero franchise has been key to our success and Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass will continue this while raising the bar for mobile phone gaming with unparalleled community and connectivity."

"Hands-On has once again taken the Guitar Hero franchise to a new level in mobile phone gaming," said Dusty Welch, Head of Publishing for Guitar Hero. "The Guitar Hero Mobile platform has proven to be a phenomenal success and a critical touch point for gamers to get introduced to the franchise."

Hands-On Mobile recently announced that Guitar Hero III Mobile, a marquee game in its current collection of Guitar Hero branded mobile phone games, has reached over one million downloads and that more than 250,000 songs are played everyday by mobile subscribers across the country.

Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass can be downloaded in the U.S. by text messaging STAGE to 46966. Prices vary by carrier.