DJ HERO
The electronic music takeover in America has our ears filled with big room beats, computer created synths, and head-banging dubstep throughout clubs as well as mainstream airwaves. Now the genre of EDM is taking over the sounds behind our video games too. We're not talking about interactive music mixing games such as DJ Hero, but actual remixes of video game tracks.
UK based dubstep duo Nero is an act all EDM fans can't help but follow. Dan Stephens and Joe Ray, aka Nero, recently unleashed their #1 UK debut album 'Welcome Reality' stateside in December on Cherrytree/Interscope. The 2010 Beatport Award winners for "Best Dubstep Act" are now working alongside EA Games, releasing an exclusive remix on Febraury 21st of the newly revamped version of the classic video game Syndicate. Downloadable straight from the Syndicate Facebook page, Nero joins the likes of Skrillex, Flux Pavilion, and Digitalism who have also remixed the track.
Let it be known that internet rumors are as reliable as an unsolicited email claim that you have won the Nigerian lottery and that the numbers for your private bank account are needed to deposit your “guaranteed” check. Be that as it may, I feel an obligation to relay an exciting message that has the internet buzzing.
Word is spreading fast that the electro-dance power duo Daft Punk is planning a world tour for 2010. Although unconfirmed by representatives of the techno wonders, certain indicators are favorably pointing in the direction of a tour, namely their work on the upcoming Tron Legacy movie from Disney and the featuring of their likenesses on the new DJ Hero video game. Other indicators, such as the unprecedented success of their “Alive 2007” tour and the fact they haven’t released a full-length studio album since 2005’s Human After All, all point to a definite touring possibility.
In the video-game entertainment industry, success is not measured in the initial achievements of an idea. It’s measured in how far you can milk that idea.
Following the success of games such as Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and the numerous expansions for said games, Activision will release its newest “expansion” of the Guitar Hero franchise, DJ Hero. The new live-action music game, due to hit stores on October 27, will include over 93 specially made “DJ mixes” where you will be able mix songs across genres from pop, grunge, soul, hip-hop, R&B, techno, and house. A specially designed controller, complete with rotating turntable platter, three “stream” buttons, cross fader, effects dial, and a “Euphoria” button, is included along with a controller stand in an effort to get sunlight deprived gamers off of their sofas and out of their deep rooted ass-grooves.
If you haven’t noticed, music-games like Rockband and Guitar Hero have swept the video-game scene like crack swept urban neighborhoods in the 80’s. Couch potatoes everywhere went crazy over the Metallica and Aerosmith influenced rock and roll trials that allowed them to live out there fantasies as rock stars. Now, Activision Blizzard is prepping for its new cash cow, “DJ Hero”.
But before you trade in your guitar for a set of turntables, Activision has a small, yet formidable challenge. They aren’t the only company coming out with the game. Genius Products has a game called “Scratch-The Ultimate DJ”. In hopes of crushing the competition, Activision acquired the game’s developer, in hopes of stalling the release. Big move by the big corporation, but don’t sleep on the little guy. Genius took them to court and filed suit. In March, an L.A. superior court judge ordered Activision to return the source code of “Scratch”, which they had previously purchased.
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