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DJ Hero now rolling out around the world, around the world

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 27th 2009 at 12:48PM

It's been a long haul since it was first announced way back in May, but Activision's DJ Hero is now finally available in North America, and will be making the trip across the pond on October 30th. That includes both the standard $120 version, and the "premium" Renegade Edition, which runs a full $200 and includes an upgraded turntable, a hardshell carrying case that converts to a DJ stand, and a Jay-Z and Eminem two-CD set -- and the game, of course. Anyone have any brief first impressions? Let us know in comments.

Update: Looks like Eminem is doing more than just slapping his name on the Renegade Edition. Check out the video after the break in which he sits down to talk about the game and issues a challenge to none other than DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Continue reading DJ Hero now rolling out around the world, around the world

DJ Hero controller hands-on faceoff with an SL-1200MK2

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 15th 2009 at 1:51PM

Activision was kind enough to send over an early evaluation copy of DJ Hero, and while we haven't had a chance to dive deeply into the game yet, we thought you might want to see how the controller itself stacks up against one of our Technics SL-1200MK2s. As you might expect, compared to the legendarily tank-like construction of the MK2, the DJ Hero controller looks and feels exactly like the plastic game controller it is, although the wheel itself is nice and weighty and the buttons are pleasantly clicky. We definitely have some doubts about how this is all going to work when actually trying to mix tunes together, but we're eager to try it out -- in the meantime, hit the gallery for the full set of pics.

Gallery: DJ Hero hands-on faceoff with Technics SL-1200

CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LXIII: Bobby Kotick says Guitar Hero going plug-and-play, developers kept in state of 'skepticism, pessimism, and fear'

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 15th 2009 at 7:32AM

Guitar Hero franchise going the plug-and-play route, its developers start listening to My Chemical Romance

You know those Atari controllers that let you play Atari games without actually having an Atari? That, it seems, is the future of the Guitar Hero franchise, with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick indicating that new titles from the company will be playable "independent of a console." It's perhaps a natural step, as the franchise's developers must surely spend half their time frantically porting games from PS3 to Xbox 360 to Nintendo DS to graphic calculator to... well, you get the picture. Kotick also said some wondrous things that will make those Activision coders slouch even further into their chairs, developers who already were surely fearing for their jobs, indicating that they live within a corporate environment of "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" with the hope of "keeping people focused on the deep depression," and that he wants to take "all the fun out of making video games." So, then, that My Chemical Romance edition of the series should be announced any time now.

[Via Joystiq]

DJ Hero gets sized up by Mixmaster FCC

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 28th 2009 at 1:58PM

Activision's DJ Hero controller hasn't exactly been making itself scare since its debut way back in May, but those looking for their closest look at it yet need look no further than the FCC, which recently got its hands on the device for the usual tests and dissection. Of course, there's not a whole lot of surprises to be found, but we do also get a look at a somewhat sparse but straightforward user manual, and a couple of the usual dark and dreary test setup photos, which unfortunately don't feature the FCC folks showing off their skills. Hit up the link below to check out the whole lot for yourself.

[Via Joystiq]

Tony Hawk: RIDE's skateboard gets FCC'd, USB dongle required for PS3 and Wii

by Ross Miller posted Aug 20th 2009 at 6:12PM

We still gotta wait until November 17th to do our own virtual shredding, but for now you can gaze upon the FCC's well-intentioned (but generally pretty bad) gadget photography of the new Tony Hawk: RIDE skateboard, the filing of which just went live in the commission's database. It shouldn't come as a surprise to owners of Activision's other plastic peripherals from the Guitar Hero series, but PlayStation 3 owners will have to use the bundled USB dongle to connect wirelessly to the console -- Wii, too, according to its user manual, as the usual trick of planting a Wii remote inside the controller isn't available here. Sad and ridiculous, but we can't imagine one dangling receiver will be a deal-breaker for many people out there -- unless, of course, you're able to buy the Xbox 360 version instead.

Read - Wii skateboard
Read - Wii dongle
Read - PS3 dongle

Tony Hawk: RIDE Limited Edition skateboard outed as UK version gets priced and dated

by Ross Miller posted Aug 6th 2009 at 9:41PM

While details aren't 100 percent confirmed for those of us across the pond -- Activision has yet to come out and verify those October 13th / $120 listings -- Tony Hawk: RIDE and its white not-quite-skateboard will be launching November 20th in the United Kingdom for £99.99, or about $168 in US currency. European retailer GAME will be selling a limited edition version of the game, which will sport a red and black skateboard and surprisingly no markup in price whatsoever. You know, it's a good thing the console cycle seems to be extending beyond its formerly four-year pattern, because these plastic peripherals are gonna be doing a number on our bank accounts.

[Via Joystiq]

Read - Tony Hawk Ride dated and priced
Read - Limited Edition listing

DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

by Ross Miller posted Jul 29th 2009 at 10:58AM

If your virtual disc-scratching needs something a little less silver and little more dark, brooding, and bronze, Activison today announced the DJ Hero Renegade Edition bundle, which includes just such a peripheral with promised premium metal controls and finish. The full package also comes with a hardshell carrying case that doubles as a stand, and less impacting on the gameplay itself, a Jay-Z / Eminem two-CD collection with unreleased tracks and a collectible case designed by Shepard Fairey. No word on price, but if that rumored $120 tag for the standard edition pans out, you can expect to be paying a prettier penny here. Browse the new gear, including the Wii version of the standard turntable, in the gallery below.

Gallery: DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured

by Darren Murph posted Jul 23rd 2009 at 1:20PM

Holding out for the family-friendly Band Hero on your Nintendo DS Lite? That wait just got a lot tougher. In a move obviously made to tease those already leaning towards purchasing the title when it hits shelves later this year, Activision has pushed out a smattering of renders that show a drum kit covering (ahem, Drum Grip™), guitar fretboard and even a pick to strum the touchscreen. Not much to go on, sure, but it's definitely good for keeping our attention while the dog days of summer drag on. The full, brief announcement is after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Gallery: Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured

Continue reading Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured

Infinity Ward lending a hand on Modern Warfare 2 controller?

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2009 at 9:14AM

Time Crisis fans fully understand the awesomeness of a good gun when playing a gun-based title, so those very gamers will likely grasp the significance of Robert Bowling's Modern Warfare 2-related tweet. Just yesterday, the Infinity Ward employee made clear that he was "in a design meeting for a Modern Warfare 2 controller," and he sought the input of the Twitterverse regarding "concave or convex grips for the analog sticks." If you'll recall, this title can already be secured with an actual pair of night vision goggles, so tossing in some sort of rifle or semiautomatic weapon would just sweeten the pot even further -- chances are, though, this is just gonna be modeled after the plain jane Xbox 360 pad. When contacted by our pals over at Joystiq, Bowling wouldn't elaborate much, only noting that the controller "isn't being manufactured by [Infinity Ward] or [Activision]." So, that means it is being manufactured though, right?

[Via Joystiq]

Guitar Hero 5 axe takes an evolutionary step forward

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 14th 2009 at 7:42AM

We've already noted drum alterations and turntable possibilities for Guitar Hero 5, so lets complete the set with some info on the new axe. The first major change is an utterly unnecessary but all the same appreciated white pick guard, which is paired up with a moody red paintjob for the body. Internal signaling has gone digital to minimize latency, while the strum bar has been tweaked for the sake of reliability. Ease of use has also been addressed through the addition of colored dots to the neck of the guitar and slight reliefs on the top, middle, and bottom fret buttons to allow full sensory awareness of the pseudo-guitar at all times. Eager rockers can get it alongside their annual copy of Guitar Hero this September.

Sony's Stringer dismisses PS3 price-cutting threats by noisy Activision CEO

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 8th 2009 at 4:15AM

We can attest that Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, is a pretty nice guy. But all the PS3 price-cut chatter from industry analysts and gaming execs seems to have the man riled as he tries to keep Sony afloat. Responding directly to Robert Kotick's threat to stop developing Activision titles on the PS3 (and PSP) due to the console's relative high price, Stringer told Reuters, "He likes to make a lot of noise. He's putting pressure on me and I'm putting pressure on him. That's the nature of business." When asked about the logic of not cutting prices, Howard said, "I (would) lose money on every PlayStation I make -- how's that for logic." True, until the 45nm Cell processor launches allowing for a cheaper, cooler running slim PS3 later this year, right Howie... wink, wink?

[Via GameDaily]

Activision threatens to drop Sony if Sony doesn't drop PS3 and PSP prices

by Paul Miller posted Jun 19th 2009 at 10:32AM

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick says he sees the number of games bought per console slowing if the price on the PlayStation 3 doesn't go down, and that his company (the largest independent game developer in the world, thanks in part to that sweet, sweet Blizzard cash) might consider dropping the PS3 and PSP in 2010 or 2011 if things don't improve. He says Activision paid $500 million in royalties to Sony last year, but the Xbox 360 and Wii are cheaper to develop for and offer a better return on investment. Still, with 23 million PS3s out there in the world, we'd think it'd be difficult to ignore the console entirely -- especially for cross platform titles like the upcoming Modern Warfare 2, where a majority of the work takes place in content development and gameplay mechanics. Of course, with games like Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Tony Hawk now demanding the purchase of peripherals along with the game itself, Activision itself could certainly be doing more to make gaming cheaper on consumers... but we suppose that's another conversation entirely.

[Via Joystiq]

DJ Hero spinning a $120 price tag, October 27th ship date?

by Ross Miller posted Jun 18th 2009 at 9:25PM

While far from being a confirmation, major online retailers Gamestop and Amazon have independently of one another put up listings for the DJ Hero / turntable bundle with the same October 27th ship date and $119.99 price tag for Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 owners -- the PS2 version is either the same price or $20 cheaper, depending on which site you trust. That's a good $70 less than the two-instrument Guitar Hero World Tour package, but of course you're paying for a more single-player setup. Again, we haven't heard word one from Activision, and with over four months until this supposed date, things are likely subject to change (assuming these even came from the publisher in the first place, and weren't just magically pulled out of a large, black cap with frilly edges). We wouldn't be surprised to see this being the final price, though, and either way, it serves as a nagging reminder that the life of a fake plastic musician doesn't come cheap.

[Via Joystiq]

Read - Gamestop listing
Read - Amazon listing

Neversoft interested in bringing turntables to Guitar Hero, making large amounts of money

by Paul Miller posted Jun 13th 2009 at 5:32PM

We've already seen a bit of guitar in DJ Hero, but apparently it might not just be a one way street: Neversoft (developer of the Guitar Hero franchise for Activision) hinted to Eurogamer at E3 that they're interested in bringing the DJ Hero turntable to future versions of Guitar Hero. They also aren't ruling out the possibility of bringing drums to DJ Hero -- which seems to us an even more exciting prospect -- and we're sure in a few years time you'll be able to direct wire Activision to your bank account and fill you living room to the brim with more-or-less interoperable pretend instruments.

[Via Joystiq]

Tony Hawk: RIDE feets-on

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 3rd 2009 at 12:21PM

Want to humble a videogame journalist? Ask him if he skates and, if he answers with a modest "a little bit," proceed to make him lose his balance and stumble off of your toy skateboard controller. That was the scene seen again and again at Activision's thumping booth on the E3 show floor, and we took our turn to get humiliated on the company's plastic deck, the feature piece of this October's Tony Hawk Ride. It's fun, it's hard, and it's a surprisingly (and somewhat embarrassingly) good work-out.