Harmonix's main product, Guitar Hero, is a console game developed for Sony's PlayStation 2 that equips players with a simulator that looks like a guitar while promising them the ability to feel like a rock star without knowing how to play music or even leaving their bedroom.

The goals of the deal, which is to be announced today, are broader than putting the MTV logo on a Harmonix game box: for instance, the company wants to offer visitors to its Web sites, its new virtual worlds and its planned mobile services the ability to play along with, or remix, their favorite songs.

"It is about people coming to MTV who are passionate about music and wanting to interact on deeper and deeper levels," said Christina Norman, the president of MTV. "It's not just about wearing the T-shirt."

Ms. Norman insisted that music video was alive and well at MTV, particularly with its spin-off channels and Web offshoots. "Realistically speaking, there is more music available on all of the platforms of MTV-wherever the audience wants it-than there has ever been before," she said in an interview.

A unique partnership between Reebok, Jay-Z, Electronic Arts and Champs Sports will allow consumers the opportunity to play as Jay-Z in EA SPORTS' NBA LIVE 07, marking the music icon's first foray into the gaming world. Exclusive to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment systems, gamers who purchase Rbk's new S. Carter Basketball IV shoe at Champs Sports will receive a special code to unlock Jay-Z's character for use in the game.

"Reebok is committed to being at the forefront of cutting-edge programming for young consumers, and gaming represents one of the most innovative platforms in today's interactive youth culture," said John Lynch, Reebok's Vice President of Global Marketing Communications. "The partnership between Reebok, EA, Champs Sports and Jay-Z presents each of us with an ideal opportunity to reach our target audience through their passion points of footwear, sport and gaming."

"I always want to reach out to people in new and ground breaking ways and this collaboration with Reebok and EA does that by combining several things important to me: basketball, gaming and footwear," said Jay-Z. "NBA Live has always been one of my favorite games and I'm excited to play the latest edition and to be a part of it."

The unlockable Jay-Z character will also be available as a free agent to join gamers' favorite NBA team in both Season and Dynasty modes in NBA Live 07. Fans can go to nbalive07.com for more details on how to get one of the unique codes.

"We are HUGE fans of The Sims, so it was really cool to be tapped to provide music for their latest project, The Sims 2 Pets," said AJ. "When we told EA that we could speak Simlish they were really psyched! It was fun to reinterpret our song for The Sims and ultimately, our fans!" Not only was the superstar sister act excited, but they felt a common purpose with The Sims. "One of the things I have always liked about The Sims games is that they are very inclusive, people can play out real storylines from their lives -- like a romantic relationship that's really gotten stressful -- and there isn't a lot of judgment," explained Aly. "We try to do the same thing with our music, give people something that they can relate to, so they think, 'I really get that, I've been through it!'"

Andy Brick is an award-winning composer, influenced by the classics, who is now writing and orchestrating music for video game players. He is exposing millions of young people to symphonic-style music that they probably would never listen to any other way. He takes his inspiration from mythical scenes given to him by video game developers.

"Kids just love this stuff, and I like it, too. It's great music. It's really engaging music," says Brick.

If you're a kid, or have a kid, you might recognize the theme song from the game "Final Fantasy." It is actually an Andy Brick arrangement, played by a Czech orchestra.

There was a time when video game music was about as sophisticated as video game graphics: which is to say, not very. But now, the video game industry is a $25 billion-a-year business, which means there's plenty of money for plenty of musicians, who are as happy to have their work heard in this new forum as they are in concert halls.

By the end of the year, the original soundtracks from games such as "Medal of Honor," "SSX" and "The Sims" will be available to purchase for cell phones and MP3 players through digital stores such as AOL Music, iTunes, MSN, Rhapsody and Yahoo! Music.

The eclectic lineup will include Just Blaze's beats from "NBA Live 2004," Paul Oakenfold's score for "GoldenEye" and old-school tracks from the "Command and Conquer" games. EA won't be selling music licensed for the company's hit games, instead offering only material commissioned specifically for the titles (so don't expect Green Day's "America Idiot" from last year's "Madden").

According to EA, the move is being made because the company realizes gamers strongly identify with the scores and jingles that reverberate from their gaming systems. "What was once two notes from 'Jaws' and seven notes from 'Star Wars' is now another's 'Sims' theme or 'Medal of Honor' theme," said Steve Schnur, Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA.

Capping off a November of expanded horizons that has him making his big-screen acting debut, 50 Cent will also star in his own video game. "50 Cent: Bulletproof" for PlayStation 2 and Xbox will let players blast bullets through the streets of New York, with G-Unit at their side. Written by Terry Winter, whose credits include "The Sopranos," "Bulletproof" depicts what the game's creators say is a scenario that could have played out if 50 hadn't gotten into music. The action is full of enough brutal kills that the game easily racked up an M rating.

But aside from letting players indulge 50 in his less gentle side, the game will serve as the closest thing 50 has released to a box set. Topped with three tracks recorded exclusively for the game, "Bulletproof" will also include 10 exclusive remixes to songs that have only appeared on 50's mixtapes. Also in the game are songs from 50's official albums and more than a dozen 50 and G-Unit videos.

The official track count is 53 songs from 50, 20 from G-Unit, 10 from Lloyd Banks, 10 from Young Buck and four from Tony Yayo, plus 47 tracks from DJ Sha Money XL and 15 videos from 50 and G-Unit. The entire collection is available to players at any point in the game; all gamers have to do is have 50 access his G-Pod.

1. Tron
2. Bubble Bobble
3. Ms. Pac Man
4. Contra
5. Pac Man
6. Jungle Hunt
7. Frogger
8. Pole Position
9. Burger Time
10. Spy Position