Activision is looking to outstrip EA’s Rock Band with its new Guitar Hero World Tour title.

Featuring a newly redesigned guitar, an electronic drum kit and a microphone, the new iteration of the mega-selling franchise also introduces a music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock and roll anthems, alongside new online Band Career and an eight-player ‘Battle of the Bands’ mode.

Guitar Hero World Tour will also feature master recordings from Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles, Sublime and more. Additionally, the game will offer more localised downloadable music than ever.

Budding rock stars will also be given creative license to fully customize everything from their characters’ appearance and instruments to their band’s logo and album covers.

“Guitar Hero has set the standard for music-based gaming and with Guitar Hero World Tour and the game’s groundbreaking Music Studio, we are once again delivering unprecedented innovation that has the potential to revolutionize consumer generated music, much in the same way that video sharing hubs have driven user generated video,” said head of publishing for RedOctane Dusty Welch.

“With the introduction of our advanced high-quality new wireless instruments, in-depth customization options and advanced online functionality, the game enables music fans and gamers globally to share in the most social and expressive music experience ever.”

Guitar Hero World Tour is set for release on 360 and PS3, with the Wii and PS2 versions to follow.