Guitar Hero co-founder expects DJ Hero to have slower initial sales

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 25th 2009 at 3:30PM }

It's rare that we hear anything but doe-eyed optimism from publishers of yet-to-be-released games -- however, Activision's Kai Huang, co-creator of the Guitar Hero franchise, recently voiced some fairly realistic expectations for the upcoming disc-spinning rhythm title, DJ Hero. "We're expecting this to be the type of game that may come out of the gate a little bit slower, but continue to grow over time," Huang explained during a speech at the PLAY Digital Media Conference in Berkeley.

Huang mentioned that while overall sales will be bolstered by the Hero part of the game's moniker, the DJ portion may scare potential players off -- causing Activision to focus on in-store demos to push the product on passersby. If we were unenlightened of DJ Hero's existence, we'd probably be snared by the siren call of the demo unit's mash-up of "Hollaback Girl" and "Give it to Me." Curse you, Stefani/James!

[Via VG247]

Tags: activision, dj-hero, freestylegames, music, rhythm, sales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

No Kill Tayler @ Oct 25th 2009 3:34PM

But,DAFT PUNK...
:(

Joe @ Oct 25th 2009 4:12PM

DAFT PUNK IS PRETTY AMAZING!

TRON.dll @ Oct 25th 2009 5:53PM

CAPITAL LETTERS ARE PRETTY AMAZING

Nuclear Chauffeur @ Oct 25th 2009 6:19PM

HI BILLY MAYS HERE

Prox @ Oct 26th 2009 9:29AM

^^ Will somebody ban this douche already?

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 25th 2009 3:35PM

I want DJ Hero. A lot.
I like the genre. A lot.
---
but
---
I don't like Activision.
I don't like the direction Guitar Hero has gone.
I don't want to feel like I'm "paying the milkman".

What should I do?

Durden @ Oct 25th 2009 3:43PM

Wait for a good sale or buy it used. That's what I'm doing.

Xvnine @ Oct 25th 2009 3:44PM

Pick up a real instrument.

Nap @ Oct 25th 2009 3:49PM

STFU with your "real instrument" crap. I don't get points for sitting in a booth scratching Hollaback Girl

Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Oct 25th 2009 3:58PM

SpyderTaco, I agree with everything you say. Hip Hop/Techno styled music is my favorite genre, and that game looks so darn fun, but Activision iare a bunch of dirty fiends. I might wait for a sale, or I'll just buy it sometime soon and try to forget the fact that Activision made it, and the fact that some awesome bands like Justice, Daft Punk, and Beastie Boys are supporting it.

Dafrety @ Oct 25th 2009 4:07PM

Buy it used. Activision won't get any of your money.

Dafrety @ Oct 25th 2009 4:24PM

Xvnine said;
"Pick up a real instrument. Hey. Guys, guys! Stop having fun!"

johnny @ Oct 25th 2009 4:31PM

steal it

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 25th 2009 4:35PM

If I buy it used that means GameStop gets my money.
So I have to decide, who are the bigger 'whores'. Activision or GameStop?

...I don't think I'll ever be able to decide.

deaftly (PSN,LIVE,STEAM) @ Oct 25th 2009 4:36PM

If you want the game then buy it. Even though its cool to hate Activision atm don't let stupid shit like that affect your decision.

CPRxChris @ Oct 25th 2009 4:44PM

Buy it used on eBay or possibly Amazon.

Bobby Kotick 2: Echoes @ Oct 25th 2009 4:57PM

You have to give it credit for at least trying something different instead of the usual GH copy/paste method of releasing games. And while it's an O.K. game, it's not worth $119.99.

Oh well. I guess it's back to copying Rock Band for now. Did you hear we got a PSP Guitar Hero game coming soon?

Maulok @ Oct 25th 2009 4:59PM

Wait for a clearance. All those giant pallets of Rock Band special edition bundles and Guitar Hero band kits are selling for a song because retailers don't have space for them. Give it a year.

Jason Statham (Has a ps3 now) @ Oct 25th 2009 5:10PM

@deftly

You're absolutey right. It makes no sense to punish people who work hard on the game simply because a CEO is a complete fucking dick.

m3nphls @ Oct 25th 2009 5:38PM

Just buy it and then report your credit card lost/stolen so you don't have to pay for it

TRON.dll @ Oct 25th 2009 5:57PM

@Bobby Kotick 2: Echoes

Hey, can you tell your company to do a Guitar Hero: Beatles and Call of Duty: Renaissance Warfare? I'm sure they'd sell millions.

sony boy (6 years til sony man child!) @ Oct 25th 2009 7:04PM

then go to best buy or wal mart.

Hakaisou @ Oct 25th 2009 9:35PM

"Pick up a real instrument."
Ok. a pair of Technic 1200s will run $465 each. I'll let you get back to me when you do that.

wallywallas @ Oct 25th 2009 10:52PM

Buy DJ Hero, don't buy MW2. ?

MLC (PSN: Myke-Myke & XBL: MLC45) @ Oct 25th 2009 10:52PM

@ Durden

Thats what I'm doing. I'm getting DJ HERO used cause it'll be $60.

maveric101 @ Oct 26th 2009 1:52AM

steal it from GameStop?

Neuromancer @ Oct 25th 2009 3:36PM

I'd be surprised otherwise, everyone at some time plays 'air guitar'. Many less people play 'air DJ'. So there's less mass appeal right there. I'm still looking forward to it though.

Ferco @ Oct 26th 2009 4:56AM

I airscratch a lot...

Sly @ Oct 25th 2009 3:36PM

after hearing feel good inc/i heard it through the grapevine, i was sold on the game. i'll be waiting for a sale after release.

here's a clip from that song in case it intrigued anyone like it did to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdenALHBENA

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 25th 2009 3:38PM

Sigh. You've sold me. To hell with my morals, it's time to pay the milkman.

YOU WIN THIS ROUND, ACTIVISION!

Discotheque @ Oct 25th 2009 3:49PM

Yeah I really like that mix. Surprisingly they both mix well.

But I think this one takes the cake:

Eric Prydz "Pjanoo" vs. Tears for Fears "Shout"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuTIXp7q8wI

which reminds me I hope they throw some more 80s synth in here. Preferably Depeche Mode and New Order. You can make some really nice mixes there.

gaph2000 @ Oct 25th 2009 3:59PM

@Sly- Hey, if you're gonna post the song, might as well post the whole thing, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqTrfaFkqxY

But yeah, best song in the game IMO.

Sly @ Oct 25th 2009 4:04PM

i didn't know that the entire song was on youtube. thanks dude! but yeah, the two songs mix incredibly well.

AhSeezMoneh @ Oct 25th 2009 9:08PM

Some of the mixes are surprisingly good, others are a pile of fail. Definitely wouldnt get this one new.

AhSeezMoneh @ Oct 25th 2009 9:09PM

Some of the mixes are surprisingly good, others are a pile of fail. Definitely wouldnt get this one new.

KingOfHearts @ Oct 25th 2009 3:42PM

After playing the demo for DJ Hero at Best Buy (on hard... about a thousand times), I can safely say that this is a fun-ass game. As much as people dislike Activision, I hope this doesn't fail.

Eh @ Oct 25th 2009 3:44PM

How about the ridiculous price tag for a single player game? Its as expensive as Rock Band but with RB you can play it with 3 people out of the box.

Even if you spend hundreds of dollars so you can play it with a friend its still missing the teamwork aspect of the other games. I dont see this game ever taking off.

Skaz @ Oct 26th 2009 12:10AM

You can co-op with a guitar if you want, if you ever even tried this game.

Discotheque @ Oct 25th 2009 3:45PM

I think it looks really fun, and some of the tracklist is pretty cool. Gorillaz, Eric Prydz, Daft Punk, Queen etc.

I hope they add more electro and rap though.

I'll wait for a sale. Also I'm bummed out that they put 3 bloody mixes of Hollaback Girl on this game.