Activision has all the reasons to celebrate as its Guitar Hero franchise is on the way to become a cultural phenomenon.  Even Bill Gates has chosen a Guitar Hero competition to end his CES speech.

The research company, the NPD Group said that the Guitar Hero franchise has set  an industry record, surpassing $1 billion in North American retail sales in just 26 month.

Also, the latest title released by Activision, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was the number 1 title in units and dollars for calendar year 2007. The success of the games was predictable since its launch, as the title earned more than $115 million in its first week on sale only in North America. The game is to be released in Europe.

Thes third edition of “Guitar Hero” contains 70 rock songs of various artists or bands such as: Disturbed, Slipknot, The Killers, Aerosmith, A.F.I., Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Muse, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumkins and more others.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock includes a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes allow consumers worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status.

Since its initial release in fall 2005, the Guitar Hero franchise has sold in excess of 14 million units in North America alone, according to The NPD Group. In 10 weeks since the game’s launch, consumers have already downloaded more than five million songs.

“Guitar Hero is one of the biggest brands and one of the most powerful distribution platforms in all of entertainment today,” said Michael Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Activision Publishing, Inc. “Guitar Hero’s popularity with broad audiences is a confirmation that video games have become a true mass medium.”

Earlier this week, Activision announced that Xbox LIVE will host the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - Rock Your Party Weekend, during the Superbowl weekend, February 1-3, 2008 for U.S. and Canada residents.