The Swarm

March 23, 2009

UPDATE: "DJ Hero" gets Z-Trip and DJ Shadow, dumps Tiesto...

Todd Roberts

As the countdown begins to the release of “DJ Hero,” Activision’s forthcoming turntablist counterpart to “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band,” a few details are beginning to emerge, including a new website, Twitter account, and a SXSW appearance by DJ Shadow.

Gaming site Kotaku has been diligent about mapping out the hardware details recently, including the many iterations of the DJ controller, arguably the most important factor in the success of this new franchise. The big question, however, has still remained: which famous all-star DJ will be ‘the’ DJ Hero.

Z-Trip and DJ Shadow are two of the DJs who will appear as avatars in Activision’s forthcoming “DJ Hero” video game, according to a Daily Swarm source involved in the game’s development. Both have had a role in developing and testing the game’s controller as well as programming and licensing the music.

Daft Punk and Mixmaster Mike are rumored to be part of the game too, but their participation remains unconfirmed. Despite early reports of DJ Tiesto’s inclusion in the game, the Dutch trance merchant’s role has since been lessened or abandoned entirely.

Activision plans to ship 1.5 million units of the game when it hits the shelves this June, according to our sources. This shows a considerable amount of confidence that the music gaming market is compiled of more than standard-fare rock fans, and that there is a large audience of wanna-be DJs. Can MTV’s version be far behind?

UPDATE: We have confirmed that Mixmaster Mike is not attached to DJ Hero, as our commenters have pointed out. Mike is involved with 7 Studios and Genius Products in developing Scratch: The Ultimate DJ which will also be release this Summer (via MTV).

Mike did have this to say about DJ Hero:

“What I’ve heard is that it’s not going to be as authentic as ‘Scratch,’” he said. “I know it’s more based on just mixing; it’s going to be two completely different things. This is more based on scratching and beat-making, and the other one is just like beat-matching. But don’t hold me to that, I just heard from the grapevine.”

Photo by Raymond Roker via Twitter


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Previous comments include

#1 Dave says:

what?

What all-star whoever the fuck is the star of Rock Band? Who's the star of Guitar Hero?

That's a pretty silly thing to focus on, it's not like a name on a box makes a crappy game better or a good game worse.

The real big question: How will you play it and will it be fun? That's all that really matters!

Rock Band 2 outsold Guitar Hero World Tour, despite the latter having Tool, Billy Corgan and all sorts of other big money big name avatards in the game. If I were asking questions, the last thing I'd be concerned with is how Activision is wasting their money.

#2 NZ says:

I agree Dave, but the Tiesto snub is pretty sweet if you ask me.

#3 DJ Soulshot says:

Daft Punk aren't DJ's, wtf?

#4 kenny says:

I'm with NZ. Stoked Tiesto is off. Glad Dj Shadow & Z-trip are in. Let's hope there's no Am or Aoki. Those guys suck worse then Tiesto.

#5 Sarah says:

Kenny I couldnt agree more with you on the anti AM / Aoki and pro Z-Trip and DJ Shadow...

#6 Holden says:

all i know is that i cant wait to play and i really want to know how this thing is going to work...through down like Z

#7 kenny says:

Just read Am's in DJ Hero. Does that mean users can date c list celebrities?

C'mon. Dj Hero people listen up: Dj Shadow & Z-trip, YES! Tiesto, Am,& Aoki NO.

Just make a great game with great djs. Leave the schlock out.

#8 KRck says:

I was reading Mix Master Mike is involved with the DJ game Scratch...

#9 KRck says:

http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/03/s...

this is where I was reading about Scratch and Mix Master Mike

#10 dawniebab3 says:

good one kenny. next thing you know they'll give wannabe celeb Dj's like benji madden an avatard.

too bad about mix master mike not being in the game. they could have even maybe used q-bert

#11 djd says:

Obv, Grandmaster Flash, Funkmaster Flex, A-Trak, Roc Raida ... the lack of black representation is a bit odd ... You know, those people who created DJing.

#12 jd says:

re: comment #3 "DJ" Soulshot

you must be young and/or just one of those people who state their limited knowledge as fact.

of course Daft Punk are DJs. their sets are, for the most part, freakin' amazing. i'd recommend seeing them live if you get the chance.

#13 GUest says:

I am a huge Ztrip fan- but my loyalty goes to mix master mike- his new game looks ill

#14 kenny says:

I'm down with Z-trip and Mixmaster mike. If both games are cool, I'll cop them both.

Shout to Dawniebab. Avatard is my favorite shit today. Wish I thought of it.

#15 Bonus level says:

On a secret level you get to play as Terminator X.

#16 Tyler says:

$20 says Konami sues after this game comes out, and they release Beatmania II.

#17 mj sco says:

What is this guy talking about stop being so closed minded. I'm gonna be stoked when I get the chance to play dj z-trip. Ur trippin... I'm not so happy about the whole dj AM business he's not exactly my idol

#18 keviekev says:

i agree with above...no AM, but I didnt really think he was going to be in the game. Regardless, the only reason that im buying the game is because of Z-Trip. That fool is sick!

#19 redrum says:

Daft Punk are electro producers, musicians if you will, but they never claimed to be DJs. They happen to DJ casually at times, but as far as I know they do it seperately and not as "Daft Punk".

Their live performances basically sum up to using controllers through computers and vintage synths/samplers, and it has been this way ever since they started circa 1995.

Hope that clears things up!


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