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Video scratches the surface of DJ Hero 2 multiplayer
DJ Hero 2's multiplayer modes are detailed in this new video. There are six modes in all, with Party Play -- featuring drop-in/drop-out play for turntables and vocals -- looking like the best choice for your next musical soiree. Assuming your guests dig phat beats, of course.
DJ Tiesto joins the cast of DJ Hero 2
Well, Activision and FreeStyleGames have gone ahead and signed on some pretty big guns to craft mixes for their upcoming rhythm title, DJ Hero 2 -- it makes sense that they'd go after the biggest gun. We're talking about DJ Tiesto, a man who most leading scientists in the field agree is made of beats. Like, his physical structure is composed entirely of beats and high synth, and also glowsticks. Don't believe us? Check out the video after the jump to see some of Tiesto's in-game work. Just don't blame us if you're reading this post at your job, and then you get fired when you start uncontrollably full-on raving.
Preview: DJ Hero 2
In a small hotel room in midtown Manhattan this month, I spent just over an hour with Activision's noticeably slimmed down holiday rhythm/music game lineup. Though we'll have to hold our impressions of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock until later this month, I can tell you all about my time spent with DJ Hero 2. First and foremost -- and this might sound nuts to open with -- the design and layout of the user interface is beautifully vacant. The DJ selection screen isn't much more than a bright white background with selectable characters. That same design aesthetic carries over into the gameplay interface -- unlike the muddied rock and roll world of Guitar Hero, everything in DJ Hero 2 is sharp, crisp, and clean. The lighting may be low, but blues and reds and yellows can be seen popping all over the place.%Gallery-97911%
DJ Qbert joins DJ Hero 2 lineup
Though Qbert 2 featured zero DJ heroes, DJ Hero 2 will feature at least one Qbert: DJ Qbert, that is. Activision announced this morning that the California-based DJ will become a playable character in the upcoming scratch-em-up and add two "exclusive mixes" to the varied soundtrack (see the tracklist here). You know, we might employ DJ Qbert's in-game avatar at one point or another ... if we get tired of sporting that giant mouse head. (Spoiler: We won't ever get tired of the giant mouse head.)
DJ Hero 2's 108 mashed-up artists revealed
If your curiosity was piqued by last month's partial list of musicians whose work would appear in some conjoined fashion in the DJ Hero 2 soundtrack, then you're about to be extremely satisfied. Posted after the jump is the full list of all 108 artists who will have their work featured in the upcoming follow-up to FreeStyleGames' mix-mastering simulator. You know what? In the interest of simplicity, we think it might be best to just point out who's not in the game. Let's see ... well, Steely Dan's nowhere to be seen in the list. And any contributions from Fleetwood Mac are still unaccounted for. Also, where's Snow? We can't -- wait, Snow is in there? Well, then, pinch us, because we're clearly dreaming.
Bag a nice pre-order bonus with DJ Hero 2 at Gamestop
Copies of the DJ Hero 2 turntable bundle or "Party Bundle" from Gamestop will include the Puma turntable bag seen above. As far as pre-order bonuses go, this is basically a win-win for Activision, Gamestop, and you (probably Puma as well).
Partial DJ Hero 2 artist list revealed at Activision event
Activision's presumably outrageously expensive E3 event was largely devoid of megatons, but rich with appearances from musical artists such as Usher, NERD, Chris Cornell, Tool's Maynard Keenan and Jane's Addiction. However, a brief gameplay trailer for DJ Hero 2 revealed a fairly lengthy list of contributors to the game's mashed-up soundtrack. You can check out the full list after the jump -- but we'll say right here, right now, that if they mix Justice with The Prodigy, we are going to lose our minds.
New DJ Hero 2 trailer features 2 turntables and a microphone
We know what you're thinking: "Two turntables and a microphone? Madness!" You're right, of course, but don't let it stop you from watching the debut trailer (after the br-break) for DJ Hero 2, which serves both as an advertisement for the game and gigantic living rooms.
DJ Hero 2 brings two turntables and a microphone this Fall (update: now available to pre-order)
Prefer a turntable to a keytar? Then it looks like Activision has you covered -- it's just officially announced DJ Hero 2, which will be available sometime this Fall, and presumably be on hand at E3 next week. Unfortunately, it's not yet clear if there will actually be a new version of the turntable controller or not, but Activison has added a microphone to the equation, and it'll also be releasing the game in a bundle that has (you guessed it) two turntables and a microphone. Of course, the game itself will also see quite a few changes, including new multiplayer modes, a new career mode and, most notably, a new freestyle mode that promises a "heightened level of creative input." Head on past the break for the complete press release, and keep an eye on this post -- Activision is still promising to reveal a bit more today. Update: As promised, Activision has now delivered a few more details, and some pictures. As you can see, the turntable controller appears to be mostly unchanged, but you will get a white model if you opt for the bundle with two decks, and the microphone is, well, a microphone. What's more, it looks like pre-orders are starting immediately -- the two-deck "party bundle" runs $149.99, while the game with a single turntable will set you back $99.99 (the standalone game itself is $59.99).
DJ Hero 2 out this fall, free DJ Hero DLC out today
Activision has just formally announced DJ Hero 2, the sequel to what the NPD identified as the best-selling new IP of 2009 in revenue (thanks to its high price). DJ Hero 2 features the ability to play using two turntables and a microphone, a functionality that almost guarantees the inclusion of Beck's "Where It's At." That's two points in its favor! New multiplayer modes include "DJ Battles" with songs mixed specifically for that purpose, and the adoption of Guitar Hero 5's brilliant "Party Play" feature, which allows players to jump in and out at any time, even mid-song. To encourage use of these new features (and to encourage purchases from DJ Hero non-owners) the game will be available in a "Party Bundle" with two turntables and a microphone packed in. DJ Hero 2 will be out this fall, but you can experience a bit of it today, if you have the original. In celebration of the announcement, a mix featuring Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and Deadmau5's "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" will be available for free on Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN.
RZA wraps up mocap for Activision game
Bobby Digital has been fully digitized, as hip-hop icon RZA recently tweeted about motion-capture work he completed for an unnamed Activision game. Additionally, RZA posted two images from the session on his Facebook page (one pictured above) and gave props to Activision -- and specifically the development team he worked with -- for showing a true appreciation for hip-hop and "our work" (perhaps an allusion to Wu-Tang's extensive catalog of music and a possible hint as to the scope of the mystery game). The vague tease from RZA leaves us with few other clues. One reasonable guess is that RZA was mo-capped for inclusion in the next or some future iteration of the DJ Hero franchise, but he's not known as a "DJ" per se and is more accurately credited as a producer, among other creative roles. Roughly a decade ago, RZA was one of the Wu-Tang characters featured in the Activision-published Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style fighting game for PS1. [Via MTV Multiplayer]
DJ Shadow says he's a DJ Hero 2 DJ, too
Anyone that invested in last year's mix-master sim, DJ Hero, is already familiar with DJ Shadow. Not only did he provide some of the game's freshest cuts, he was featured as a playable character. With creepy glowing eyes. And a hood. And a hat, which we found to be a tad redundant. In a recent interview with Radio One, Mr. Shadow commented on his work on DJ Hero, saying, "It was interesting, I'm actually working on the next one as well. But yeah, it was a trip." That's the second artist to confirm his contributions to the follow-up, which is schedueld for release later this year. Activision has still to name the sequel and provide any official list of mixers. May we suggest you get some DJ Tanner in the house? [Via VG247]
Activision reports $113m in profits for 2009; 2010 game plan is predictable
Today Activision Blizzard reported the financial results of its December quarter and the entire 2009 calendar year. For the year, Activision recorded a net income of $113 million, a modest turnaround from the $107 million in net losses for the company in 2008. Led by sales of Modern Warfare 2, all signs -- at least, this one -- pointed to an outstanding Q4 for the publisher. However, figures released today indicate that Activision actually posted a $286 million net loss during the period. "Despite these challenging times, in 2010 we remain focused on expanding operating margins by growing our high-margin digital/online revenues, directing our resources to the largest and most profitable opportunities and realizing operational efficiencies globally," CEO Bobby Kotick said. "In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm, as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing's best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan." While few details were give about Activision's pending slate of sequels, spinoffs and possible reboots, Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing, did share a few words about the next True Crime game. "We'll be releasing a game in the $4 billion action genre, based on our True Crime franchise," Griffith said. "The game blends intense Hollywood-style driving with martial arts combat and shootouts to deliver an Asian cinema-inspired action thriller. This is a big open-world action game that looks especially strong." Griffith also confirmed that a new 007 game is still in the works for 2010. Additionally, Activision noted that two new IPs are in development for its 2010 lineup and assured that additional DLC will continue to be released for Guitar Hero 5 (and presumably Band Hero), as well as for DJ Hero. The next installments in both music game franchises, Guitar Hero and DJ Hero, are due in "the back half of the year," according Griffith. Activision also announced that it has ceased developing new Guitar Hero games for the PlayStation 2 platform. Aw, shucks.
Activision scouting for future DJ Heroes
[Image] Dear Activision's Bobby Kotick, So, I heard through the DJ grapevine that you're looking for new talent for the next DJ Hero game. I'd like to submit my own name into the running: That is to say, the name of Willups "Mellow Jam" Dupree. See, the corporate bigwigs who designed the last game said they tried to incorporate every type of disc-jockeying around. Tell me, then -- how did they manage to completely overlook my area of expertise, and arguably the type of DJ that people are most commonly exposed to: Wedding Entertainers? Sure, we don't do -- what do the kids call them? -- mash-ups. Still, it's just as hard to play the right songs in the right order. You think you can just play "YMCA," then hit 'em with an "Electric Slide," then tie the whole thing together with an "(I've Had) The Time of My Life?" That's bush league, man. With Mellow Jam's experienced hand on the rudder, you'd know to never chase an interactive dance song with another interactive dance song -- especially not before busting out the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Give me a ring if you don't want to miss out on this important facet of the DJ lifestyle. Or if anyone you know is getting married soon. -- Willups "Mellow Jam" Dupree
DJ Guetta references work on DJ Hero 2
Back in September, we heard the initial reports claiming Activision and FreeStyleGames had already begun work on the sequel to DJ Hero. These reports were corroborated by a recent article by Kelowna.com, in which DJ David Guetta, a contributor to the soundtrack of the first mixmaster simulator, mentioned that he'd been working on "the No. 2 version" of the game. We're assuming he's talking about a sequel, and not about the tone of graphite that's so popular amongst pencil manufacturers. It only makes sense that a second game using the costly, rotating peripheral would be in the works. What would really be shocking is some kind of lid-unscrewing sim. Or a Lazy Suzan puzzle game! [Via Destructoid]
Activision: Probably fewer 'Hero' SKUs next year, but next DJ, Guitar and Band lined up
Activision may have "fewer SKUs" in 2010, but it still needs its Heroes to champion the financial cause. Guitar Hero brand CEO Dan Rosensweig tells MCV that the publisher is already working on the "next iterations" of Guitar Hero and Band Hero, and mentions that there will be "more" DJ Hero. Rosensweig makes no mention of the recently trademarked Drum Hero. ... it's rather sad when game announcements border on non-news. Well, we might as well finish by saying that Madden NFL 11 will also release next year, along with all the other sports franchises.
Feign surprise: DJ Hero 2 allegedly in the works
With Activision already asking consumers to plunk down over $100 for the DJ Hero peripheral later this month, it's only fair that more games use it -- but only if those titles belong to the publisher. With that, GI.biz reports that "at least one independent UK games developer" is working with Activision's Freestyle Games on DJ Hero 2. Go on ... pretend you're in any way surprised.Considering what Activision has done with the Guitar Hero franchise, it wouldn't exactly be a shock if DJ Hero 2, DJ Hero 3 and DJ Hero: Scratch the '80s all hit within a year of each other.
