EA has officially announced the imminent arrival of Def Jam: Icon. A continuation of the popular (?) fighting series, Icon looks to bring in both da noise and da funk. -- and hip hop stars beating the crap out of each other. Filled with celebrities like T.I., Big Boi, and Ludacris, hip hop fans will certainly be pleased. Hopefully Andre 3000 is in there with plenty of selectable costumes, too. Some of the PR drivel is a little hard to swallow though:
"In DEF JAM: ICON, we are changing the way fighting games are played! We are completely innovating the role of the environments in the games, moving from the typical lifeless arenas the hip-hop celebrities are fighting in to environments that play an instrumental part in the fight where they will react to the music and interact with both characters like a third fighter."
Interactive environments? Welcome to every 3D fighter since the Dreamcast, EA. Check out Xboxyde for more pictures. Full press release after the break.
EA ANNOUNCES DEF JAM: ICON FOR PLAYSTATION 3 AND XBOX 360 EA Chicago, the Creator of the Acclaimed EA SPORTS Fight Night Franchise, Partners with Def Jam Interactive to Redefine Hip-hop, Music and Fighting Games
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – October 18, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), in partnership with Def Jam Interactive, announced today that DEF JAM: ICON™ will be released for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system in March 2007 in North America and Europe. Infusing hip-hop music, culture and lifestyle into the gameplay, EA Chicago and urban lifestyle powerhouse Def Jam Interactive, continue to push the boundaries of game development bringing unique and innovative content to the next generation of gaming.
"Music is the cornerstone of hip-hop culture so we wanted to incorporate music and rhythm into the actual gameplay mechanics," said Kudo Tsunoda, executive producer and General Manager of EA Chicago. "In DEF JAM: ICON, we are changing the way fighting games are played! We are completely innovating the role of the environments in the games, moving from the typical lifeless arenas the hip-hop celebrities are fighting in to environments that play an instrumental part in the fight where they will react to the music and interact with both characters like a third fighter."
EA Chicago is delivering star-stunning action and bone breaking beats as players live out the life of a hip hop mogul, going from rags to riches. Incorporating hip-hop culture into every aspect of the game, DEF JAM: ICON will deliver the intensity of a no-holds-barred street fight but with style and rhythm. Music will effect how players fight in each venue and environmental interactions and hazards will become a key strategy to staying alive.
EA Chicago's unique fighting gameplay controls introduce a new way for gamers to fight as they assume the role of top celebrity characters such as Ludacris, T.I. and Big Boi. Innovative controls give better feedback to players so they feel like they're actually throwing the combat moves. Gamers can now fight with the style and flash of the superstar personalities.
"The Def Jam Interactive – EA relationship has expanded into a new frontier with EA Chicago's breakthrough technology. We have worked very closely with the team to ensure that authentic hip-hop culture and lifestyle permeates through every part of the product. DEF JAM: ICON will guarantee the ultimate combination of a real hip-hop experience and revolutionary fighting gameplay," said Lauren Wirtzer, VP Marketing, Def Jam Enterprises.
DEF JAM: ICON is scheduled to ship in March 2007 for the PLAYSTATION®3 system and Xbox 360™. DEF JAM: ICON has not yet been rated by PEGI or the USK.
