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DJ Hero sales 'modest,' analyst says; Activision refuses to comment

by Xav de Matos { Nov 3rd 2009 at 5:00PM }

Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian told Gamasutra that, while the gaming industry is currently "stable," sales figures of Activision's critically-lauded DJ Hero look to be only "modest" in the US -- an understatement in the UK. Continuing the pricing trend of peripheral-based titles, DJ Hero retails for $120 for its standard edition and $200 for its premium, "Renegade" edition. According to Sebastian, consumers are "showing price sensitivity" toward games with price points greater than $100.

In recent history, the trend of peripheral-based releases has fallen short of sales expectations. Internet-famous Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter -- along with others in the field of "professional guessing" -- recently halved holiday sales predictions for Guitar Hero 5 and The Beatles: Rock Band; after both fell short of initial sales predictions.

According to Cowen Group analyst Doug Creutz, the falling projections of peripheral games reflect both the casual consumer's decision to reduce spending on games, as well as the possibility that gamers are losing interest in the played-out rhythm genre.

When contacted by Joystiq, Activision refused to comment on the matter. With no less than three new rhythm titles on the horizon, we presume publishers hope the trend of sluggish peripheral-based game sales comes to a screeching halt; like the days of disco music and, apparently, outlining the objectives of major marketing campaigns.

Soccer reigns supreme once again in UK sales chart; DJ Hero breaks in at 20

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 2nd 2009 at 1:00PM }

Another football game came out in the UK last week and, once again, it came in first place in the region's weekly software sales charts. This time around, the game was Football Manager 2010, in which soccer isn't played, but rather, managed. That's far too boring a concept to discuss further, so instead, let's move to the other big debuts: Wii Fit Plus, for instance, came in second place for the week, which is -- wait a minute. Doesn't Wii Fit Plus have a "Soccer Heading" minigame? Oh, Nintendo. You know exactly what you're doing.

Episodes From Liberty City and Tekken 6 also made a splash during their launch week, garnering sixth and eighth place finishes, respectively. However, DJ Hero seems to be following its expected, slow-starting sales trajectory, debuting at twentieth place in last week's chart. We've got a small suggestion for FreeStyle Games to improve the rhythm title's performance in the UK: Needs moar Dizzee Rascal.

Source -- Sega's FM 2010 Kicks Off at No1 [Chart Track]
Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]

First DJ Hero DLC mix pack today; David Guetta pack dated Nov. 24

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 29th 2009 at 1:20PM }

Activision and FreeStyleGames aren't wasting any time in expanding DJ Hero's already fairly expansive 93-mix-long track list. The "Extended Mix Pack 01" DLC will be added to the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store today and includes the following two mixes for 480

and $5.99, respectively (and not sold separately):

"All Of Me" by 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige vs. "Radio Ga Ga" by Queen
"DARE" by Gorillaz vs. "Can't Truss It" Performed by Public Enemy

In a recent interview with IGN, FreeStyleGames' Chris Lee explained that the $3-per-track price can be attributed to the extra work and licensing required to synthesize the two songs in each mix. The Extended Mix mash-ups will be making their way to Wii sometime in late November -- around the same time the game's second DLC bundle, the "David Guetta Mix Pack," is scheduled for release on PSN and XBLM. That pack, which is slated for November 24, incorporates three of Guetta's songs: "When Love Takes Over," "On The Dance Floor," and "Sexy Bitch," which was presumably written about us. Rawr.

European PSN releases for October 29

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 29th 2009 at 11:47AM }

Don't call it a comeback! Well, okay, call it a comeback if you must -- after last week's sorry showing, the European PSN releases from this week are fairly phenomenal. There's a pair of demos for Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, new content for DJ Hero, EyePet and PAIN, as well as the full version of LocoRoco Midnight Carnival. Check after the jump for the full list!

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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Jay-Z is a gamer; likes Madden and, uh, you know, stuff like Madden

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 29th 2009 at 5:00AM }

When celebrities get on board for a game, the inevitable pitfall is the dreaded interview where said celebrity awkwardly tries relating to the "gamer" crowd (trust us, we know all about it.) With DJ Hero dropping this week, celebrity sponsor Jay-Z sat down with MTV News to talk about how much of a gamer he is (hint: not so much) and his support for the cultural awareness opportunities inherent in the recently released turntable title.

"Immediately, of course, with the success of Guitar Hero, you know, [DJ Hero] piqued my interest, and then on top of that it was something from the hip-hop culture. So, anytime you can, you know, I can expand the genre and introduce it to new audiences and widen it -- you know, the reach of what hip-hop can do -- you know, I'm interested in that," Jay-Z explains in the video interview (embedded after the break).

As far as Jay-Z's gaming roots, that's another story altogether. "I was really a gamer," Jay-Z urges. "Like, ask any of the guys. Like, I used to -- Madden and all these type of games," Jay-Z awkwardly cobbles together, "I was, like, really a problem. Like, those were my things -- for awhile." Presumably, until, you know, he got all that other stuff that impresses us, right? It's okay, Mr. Z -- you don't have to impress us with your gaming prowess, too. It's not like we have the numbers of "the guys" to fact check your claims anyway.

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Review: DJ Hero

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 27th 2009 at 6:27PM }

DJ Hero could end up being the most divisive video game ever created. It flies proudly in the face of certain qualities I've come to expect of the casual-aimed rhythm genre -- qualities such as accessibility, recognizability and general ease of play. Activision's latest possesses none of these characteristics: It's got a sheer learning curve, it exclusively features music that has been mashed into an indistinguishable pulp, and it's easily the most difficult peripheral-based rhythm game I've ever played. (Dance Dance Revolution notwithstanding, of course. These legs just weren't made to flail.)

Everyone who plays DJ Hero will either hate it to its core, eject the disc and toss in a more familiar musical standby, or, if they possess a certain collection of odd inclinations, they'll fall wildly in love with it. I fall into the latter group, though the small assembly of friends I recently had try their hands at the game fell firmly into the former. Yes, those people aren't writing this review, but I thought it important to note their existence.

For my part, I found DJ Hero to be fresh by every conceivable definition of the word.

Gallery: DJ Hero

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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]

Activision wisely promotes DJ Hero with Daft Punk

by JC Fletcher { Oct 15th 2009 at 11:45AM }

If Activision really wants to reach the widest possible audience with DJ Hero, TV commercials are probably the best way to expedite that process. If said TV commercials happen to feature Daft Punk's wonderfully catchy "Around the World," even better.

After the break, see one TV ad starring a digital version of Daft Punk (though, since the band is ostensibly robotic, what's the difference?) and another featuring both a clip of Justice vs. Public Enemy, and an improbably shiny DJ Hero controller. And if you like those, Activision continues to upload preview clips of in-game songs to its YouTube channel.

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Activision: DJ Hero's 'diversity' key in attracting 'Hero' newcomers

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 14th 2009 at 2:44PM }

While the Guitar Hero franchise has ensnared many a casual passerby with its infectious mix of rock tunes, Activision senior brand manager Ian McClellan believes that the publisher's next rhythm release, DJ Hero, will draw in people who have yet to become acquainted with musical protagonists. "With the kind of diversity DJ Hero offers, we expect it to appeal to people who may not have yet discovered the Hero franchise," he told MCV. "The key is that the music – which comprises of over 90 mashups that are unique to DJ Hero – is still very accessible."

Of course, they're only accessible through a large turntable peripheral, which doesn't seem to offer the same warm reception that a guitar and a Bon Jovi number might. The game's sales performance later this month should be a good indicator of how music lovers -- some of whom have yet to purchase a music game, McClellan believes -- respond to this Hero's cultural shift.

In other news: Nepalese GameStops have begun surveying all customers claiming to be unfamiliar with Guitar Hero games. Their responses are to be documented and shared in November's nationwide educational seminar, "How To Avoid an Avalanche."

DJ Hero intro video destroys the world with beats

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 12th 2009 at 7:30PM }

Activision has sent out the intro cinematic for DJ Hero, and we can't help but think of Brütal Legend set in a hip-hop / club universe. A world filled with monstrous record needles and gigantic subwoofers. A place where DJs -- and truck drivers, apparently -- are kings, battling it out for rhythmic supremacy. We're not sure if the actual gameplay experience of twirling plastic records and tapping buttons will evoke the same feelings -- the signs are good so far -- but the intro video certainly has us pumped.

You'd best check it yourself, lest you wreck yourself.

DJ Hero Renegade Edition's Jay-Z, Eminem compilations detailed

by JC Fletcher { Oct 12th 2009 at 12:30PM }

When you get home with your gigantic DJ Hero Renegade Edition box, make sure to get everything out of it. We know the temptation to just unfold the case/table thing and start playing the game with that kind of irresistible-looking novelty controller will be overwhelming, but if you turn the package over and shake it, exclusive greatest-hits CDs from Jay-Z and Eminem will fall out.

Rolling Stone got the full list of tracks on both sets. Jay-Z's disc sticks exclusively to past hits, but Eminem's includes a brand-new song, "Taking My Ball." That's right, the "unreleased tracks" mentioned on the box is really unreleased track. And it'll premiere on Eminem's Sirius radio station over a week before the game comes out, so it's more like no unreleased tracks.

After the break, as a reminder, we've included the full list of the songs in the actual game.

Gallery: DJ Hero Renegade Edition

[Via Kotaku, This is 50]

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Play DJ Hero at GameStop this Sunday

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 9th 2009 at 2:10PM }

Activision has announced that GameStop will be hosting a special DJ Hero demo event this Sunday, October 11. The event is taking place at all United States GameStop locations from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and will give gamers the chance to try out the game a full three weeks in advance. Gamers will also have the opportunity to win prizes, including a trip to meet Eminem and see him perform in New Orleans. Naturally, a few copies of the game and some Xbox 360s will be up for grabs as well.

Oh, and before you go, be sure to get a quick primer on the game by reading our recent hands-on impressions. After all, you wouldn't want to embarrass yourself in front of the whole mall. See the full prize details after the break.

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Retail roulette: Who has the best DJ Hero pre-order bonus?

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 8th 2009 at 11:10PM }

Round and round the DJ Hero pre-order bonuses go. Who has the best one? Nobody kn -- oh wait, we do! Planning on putting down the cash for the Activision turntable simulator at the end of October? Let's see which major retailer has the best deal:

Amazon – $10 video game credit. (Sounds solid.)
Best Buy – Receive a free code that unlocks a Daft Punk level. (A "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" level?)
GameStop – Two free playable song downloads.
Guitar Hero Store – Free two-day shipping (Sooo, pre-order to get the game two days later?)
Hollywood/GameCrazy – Receive an exclusive turntable slipmat. (A turntable doily.)
Walmart.com – $10 electronic gift card. (Bingo!)

Those who are preparing to scratch, what say ye to these offers?

Gallery: DJ Hero

DJ Hero's full track list revealed

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 6th 2009 at 9:45AM }

Activision Blizzard has dropped the list of all DJ Hero's block-rockin' beats that players will be mixin' for mad points. The full catalog on the disc consists of 93 tracks covering several genres of music -- the kids (both young and old) aren't likely to be disappointed.

DJ Hero releases on October 27 and October 30 in North America and Europe, respectively. Expect DLC tracks soon after (and maybe a sequel soon after that). Check out the full scratchable set list after the break and let us know what you think.

Gallery: DJ Hero

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DJ Hero mashes up Europe on October 30

by JC Fletcher { Oct 5th 2009 at 11:57AM }

During GamesCom, Activision said that DJ Hero would come to Europe in "late October." The good news is that the publisher didn't pick the very last day in October to release the game ... though it's awfully close. Today, Activision told Eurogamer that all versions of DJ Hero will be out in the UK and mainland Europe on October 30.

The previously-announced price of £109.99 (roughly €120) still stands, meaning that gamers may have to sell off some of their record collections to get the game and turntable deck. Of course, with many of DJing's biggest stars repping Europe, the territory is a key -- and potentially profitable -- market for Activsion.