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This article or section contains information about an unreleased video game. The content may change dramatically as more information becomes available. Please do not add speculation to this article. |
DJ Hero is a music video game developed by FreeStyleGames and published by Activision, It is set to be released in October 27, 2009 In North America.
Gameplay
DJ Hero presents the player with three tracks, the green and blue corresponding to the two songs in the mix, and the red track for various effects. The symbols below the green and blue tracks represents the position of the crossfader control, while the arrow in the middle of the blue track represents the direction the player needs to turn the turntable.
DJ Hero will primarily simulate Turntablism, and will feature score attack gameplay similar to the Guitar Hero games. The controller will consist of a wireless deck consisting of a movable Turntable that supports 3 "stream" buttons, an effects dial, a crossfader, and a "Euphoria" button; a hidden panel will contain additional controller buttons to interact with the gaming console outside of the game. A portion of the controller can be detached and reattached to adopt the unit for left-handed players. Notes will travel in an arc across a spinning record on screen, and the player will hold down one of the 3 stream buttons to play notes; two buttons reflect the two songs used in that particular mix, and the third represents samples to add to the mix which can be adjusted with the effects dial. The player must also constantly adjust the crossfader to match onscreen symbols. Certain tracks will be shown on screen as a series of up or down arrow, representing scratching sections, requiring the player to turn the turntable in the direction of the arrows while holding down the button to score points. "Euphoria" is equivalent to Guitar Hero's Star Power, collected by successfully completing specific phrases in the song mix, and can be released by pressing the Euphoria button, doubling the player's current multiplier. There is also a "Rewind" meter that builds through consistent successful playing, and once full, allows the player to rewind the song to fix errors in their performance. The player must continue to perform well or their performance meter will drop and they will fail the song.
The turntable controller that Activision is planning to release with DJ Hero, which includes a rotatable turntable and three "stream" buttons, a crossfader, effects dial, and Euphoria button.
A single player career mode will be available, as well both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes ("DJ vs DJ"), playable locally or remotely. Ten songs have been specially mixed to also support gameplay with Guitar Hero and other compatible guitar controllers in a "DJ vs Guitar" mode. Players can also use a microphone for a non-scoring addition to the mix. A Jukebox mode will allow the game to automatically play the songs with the ability for a player to jump in and play at any time.
Development
Activision had initially applied for a trademark on the name DJ Hero in early vihlvhiiuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuj
008, leading to speculation that Activision was making plans to compete against Konami's Beatmania series of music video games with their own DJ game as a possible spinoff of their popular Guitar Hero series.
On September 12, 2008, Activision purchased FreeStyleGames, a small developer of music games, to help produce localized downloadable content for Guitar Hero games and another yet-to-be announced music game. This game was later revealed to be DJ Hero. Activision CEO Robert Kotick confirmed the existence of DJ Hero in an interview with CNBC on January 20, 2009, revealing a release "later this year".
Activision CFO Thomas Tippl stated that DJ Hero would be aimed at a broader audience than the Guitar Hero games primarily through the use of more contemporary music in its soundtrack. Producer Will Townsend stated they opted for a wide variety of music to "make sure that everybody has something in there that they want." DJ Hero has been designed as a party game and to make the player "the life of the party", and has been developed with many gameplay modes to put the player "in control of the music", according to Townsend.
DJ Shadow was brought in by Activision during November and December 2008, at least a year into the development into the game, to help select individual songs, help with creating the mixes, and provide additional input for the game, and will also be a playable DJ avatar in the game. He was able to identify old effects samples that were used in the past for scratching for the developers to include the game. To create the mixes, DJ Shadow first created a "dry version" of each mix which did not include any embellishments. DJ Shadow then proceeded to build off that to create the "wet version" with added effects that was used as the base for the gameplay's mixes. Artists Eminem and Jay-Z have also served as consultants for the game; a special edition of DJ Hero will be branded with their names, and include a limited edition of the controller, a music CD of their songs, a DJ stand, and a travel case for the units. Jay-Z stated that he "[loved] the freedom" that the game gives him, and was able to work closely with Activision to put in new mixes that he envisioned, and considered the game "a DJ's universe", while Eminem believed DJ Hero was a game that he could "see [himself] actually playing". DJ Z-Trip and DJ AM are both creating mixes for the game and will also be playable DJ's in the game; Z-Trip will also help demonstrate the game at the 2009 E3 Conference. Cut Chemist will also be assisting in creating mixes for the game.
Soundtrack
Over 100 individual songs based on master recordings have been licensed by Activision, composed into over 80 two-song mixes by participating internationally-known DJs; some mixes will feature the same song as both parts of the mix. Such mix artists include DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip, DJ AM and Daft Punk. Initial industry speculation stated that DJ Tiësto would be involved with the game, but this was eventually denied. Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys was reported to have signed an exclusivity deal with 7 Studios to appear in their game Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, meaning that he would also not appear on DJ Hero.
The individual songs themselves have been pulled from a large number of music genres, including grunge, soul, R&B, techno, hip hop, and house. The mixes listed below have been confirmed to be in the game. Additionally, the songs “The Way You Move” by Outkast, "Hip Hop" by Dead Prez, and Tiesto's "Elements Of Life", and additional songs from 50 Cent, Justice, N.E.R.D., Beck, Blondie and Billy Squier are confirmed to be in the game. In addition to mixes using individual songs from both Eminem and Jay-Z, including Jay-Z's "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder", there will be a Eminem/Jay-Z mix song. Eminem also stated that he will have additional songs included later in the year as downloadable content for the game. Universal Music Group is providing much of the content for the game.
Songs
2Pac All Eyez On Me VS The Aranbee Pop Orchestra Bittersweet Symphony (Instrumental) 50 Cent Disco Inferno VS David Bowie Let's Dance 50 Cent Disco Inferno VS InDeep Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Afrika Bambaataa Zulu Nation Throwdown VS Freedom Express Get Down Beastie Boys Here's A Little Somethin' For Ya VS DJ Shadow The Number Song (2009 Version) Beastie Boys Intergalactic VS Blondie Rapture (Produced and mixed by DJ Shadow) Beastie Boys Lee Majors Come Again VS Daft Punk Da Funk Beck Where It's At VS DJ Shadow Six Days (Remix ft. Mos Def) (Produced and mixed by Cut Chemist) Bell Biv DeVoe Poison
Beat Juggle Bell Biv Devoe Poison VS Beastie Boys Intergalactic
(Produced and mixed by DJ AM)
Bell Biv DeVoe Poison VS Cameo Word Up! Benny Benassi Satisfaction VS Tiësto Elements Of Life Billy Squier The Big Beat VS N.E.R.D. Lapdance Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow VS Benny Benassi Satisfaction (DJ-Guitar Mix) Bobby "Blue" Bland Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City VS 2Pac How Do You Want It Bobby "Blue" Bland Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City VS Connie Price & The Keystones Fuzz And Them Boogie Down Productions Jack Of Spades VS David Bowie Let's Dance Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers Bustin' Loose VS Zombies Time Of The Season (Produced and mixed by DJ Shadow) (Produced and mixed by DJ Shadow) Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers Bustin’ Loose VS Young MC Bust A Move Common Universal Mind Control (U.M.C) VS Masta Ace Jeep A** Gutter (Aaron LaCrate & Debonair Samir RMX)
(Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
Cypress Hill Insane In The Brain VS Classics IV Spooky Cypress Hill Insane In The Brain VS David Axelrod The Edge Daft Punk Around the World VS Young MC Bust A Move Daft Punk Da Funk VS N.A.S.A. Strange Enough ft. Karen O, ODB & Fatlip Daft Punk Megamix 1 Daft Punk Megamix 2 Daft Punk Robot Rock VS Hashim Al Naafyish (The Soul)
(Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts)
Daft Punk Robot Rock VS Queen We Will Rock You Daft Punk Short Circuit VS Boogie Down Productions Jack Of Spades
Daft Punk Technologic VS Gary Numan Cars Daft Punk Television Rules The Nation VS No Doubt Hella Good David Axelrod The Edge VS Eric B. & Rakim Eric B. Is President Dizzee Rascal Fix Up, Look Sharp VS DJ Shadow Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul) Dizzee Rascal Fix Up, Look Sharp VS Justice Genesis DJ Shadow Six Days (Remix ft. Mos Def) VS D-Code Annie's Horn Eminem My Name Is VS Beck Loser Fedde Le Grand Put Your Hands Up For Detroit VS Sandy Rivera and David Penn I Can’t Stop (David Penn Remix) Foo Fighters Monkey Wrench VS Beastie Boys Sabotage Foreigner Jukebox Hero VS DJ Z-Trip ft. Murs DJ Hero (DJ-Guitar mix) (Produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip) Foreigner Jukebox Hero VS DJ Z-Trip ft. Murs DJ Hero Gang Starr Just to Get a Rep VS Mobb Deep Shook Ones, Part 2 (DJ-Guitar mix, produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip) (Produced and mixed by J. Period) Gorillaz Feel Good Inc. VS Blondie Atomic Grandmaster Flash Boom VS Grandmaster Flash Tap
(Produced and mixed by Grandmaster Flash)
Grandmaster Flash DJ Kool DJ Demo Here Comes My DJ VS Gary Numan Cars Gwen Stefani Hollaback Girl VS Gorillaz Feel Good Inc (Produced and mixed by Grandmaster Flash) Gwen Stefani Hollaback Girl VS In Deep Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Gwen Stefani Hollaback Girl VS Rick James Give It To Me (Produced and mixed by DJ AM) Herbie Hancock Rockit (Beat Juggle) Herbie Hancock Rockit VS N.E.R.D. Lapdance
(Produced and mixed by Grandmaster Flash)
InDeep Last Night A DJ Saved My Life VS Cameo Word Up! The Jackson 5 I Want You Back VS Gang Starr Just to Get A Rep
(Produced and mixed by DJ Yoda)
Jackson 5 I Want You Back VS Third Eye Blind Semi-Charmed Life Jackson 5 I Want You Back VS Third Eye Blind Semi-Charmed Life (DJ-Guitar mix) JAY-Z ft. Pharrell Change Clothes VS 2Pac All Eyez on Me JAY-Z Izzo (H.O.V.A.) VS Eminem My Name Is JAY-Z Izzo (H.O.V.A.) VS Jackson 5 I Want You Back JAY-Z Excuse Me Miss VS Rick James Give It To Me Jean Knight Mr. Big Stuff VS Masta Ace Born To Roll Jurassic 5 Jayou VS Billy Squier Big Beat Jurassic 5 Jayou VS Herbie Hancock Rockit Kid Cudi Day 'N' Nite VS Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow Kool Moe Dee How Ya Like Me Now VS Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman I Like To Move It Little Richard Tutti Frutti VS Shlomo Beats
(Produced and mixed by DJ Yoda)
M.I.A. Paper Planes VS Eric B. & Rakim Eric B. is President M.I.A. Paper Planes VS Wale Lookin’ At Me (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts) Marvin Gaye I Heard It Through The Grapevine VS David Bowie Let's Dance Marvin Gaye I Heard It Through The Grapevine VS Gorillaz Feel Good Inc Motörhead Ace Of Spades VS Noisia Groundhog N.A.S.A. Strange Enough ft. Karen O, ODB & Fatlip VS Isaac Hayes Theme From Shaft (DJ-Guitar mix) Noisia Groundhog VS Noisia Groundhog (Beat Juggle) Paul van Dyk Nothing But You VS Sandy Rivera and David Penn I Can't Stop (David Penn Remix) (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts) Public Enemy Shut 'Em Down VS Beck Where It’s At Public Enemy ft. Zakk Wylde Bring the Noise 20XX VS Justice Genesis Public Enemy ft. Zakk Wylde Bring The Noise 20XX VS Justice Genesis Public Enemy ft. Zakk Wylde Bring The Noise 20XX (Produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip) (DJ-Guitar mix) Q-Tip Good Thang VS Billy Squier Big Beat Queen Another One Bites The Dust VS Beastie Boys Brass Monkey (Produced and mixed by J. Period) (Produced and mixed by DJ Z-Trip) Queen Another One Bites The Dust VS Daft Punk Da Funk Rihanna Disturbia VS Kid Sister Control Rihanna Disturbia VS The Killers Somebody Told Me Rihanna Disturbia VS The Trammps Disco Inferno (DJ-Guitar mix) Shlomo Beats VS Billy Squier Big Beat Street Sweeper Social Club Fight! Smash! Win! VS Beastie Boys Intergalactic
(DJ-Guitar mix)
Tears for Fears Shout VS DJ Shadow Six Days (Remix ft. Mos Def) Tears for Fears Shout VS Eric B. & Rakim Eric B. Is President
(Produced and mixed by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
Tears for Fears Shout VS Eric Prydz Pjanoo The Aranbee Pop Symphony Orchestra Bittersweet Symphony VS LL Cool J Rock the Bells
(Produced and mixed by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
The Scratch Perverts Beats and Pieces The Killers Somebody Told Me VS Eric Prydz Pjanoo (Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts) Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby VS MC Hammer U Can't Touch This Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby VS Paula Abdul Straight Up Wale Lookin’ At Me VS Black Eyed Peas ft. Tippa Irie Hey Mama Weezer Beverly Hills VS Evidence, The Alchemist, Aceyalone, Rakaa & 88 Keys Fresh Rhymes And Videotape
(DJ-Guitar mix)
Wild Cherry Play That Funky Music VS Gang Starr Just To Get A Rep (DJ-Guitar mix)