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Friday, February 27, 2009

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ

on 1UP
Submitted: Feb 27, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

You probably aren’t too familiar with 7 Studios—their biggest projects so far have been licensed movie fare most “gamers” ignore based on the title alone. So, when they dropped by yesterday with a new music property called Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, I was afraid it would be just another hastily thrown-together music game (like Rock Revolution or the numerous band games recently shoveled onto the Wii) trying to cash in on Activision’s proposed DJ Hero.

So I was taken completely by surprise when I actually saw the game. Scratch uses a custom peripheral (which is still in pre-beta, so I didn’t get to play with it)—a plastic board that immediately evokes Konami’s Beatmania series, with its turntable/button combination. But the developer was quick to dismiss those comparisons. They stressed that Scratch is not just about “playing ‘Simon Says’ with the music”—it’s about creating and interpreting the music yourself. You can freely improvise and play however you like, or crank up the difficulty and go for a high score. But no matter what, you’re not going to fail a song. Like Lips, your score climbs with accuracy, but participating in the experience takes center stage.

The turntable on the large peripheral is supposedly more sensitive than Beatmania’s as well—like the real thing, your movements will directly affect the sounds you create, instead of one simple canned sound no matter how you rotate the turntable. And one of the game’s most interesting features is the ability to customize the sounds. The game will come packed with a catalog of prerecorded samples (from minor tweaks on the standard tones to an assortment of barnyard animals), but, more importantly, you’ll be able to record and load up your own battle records. Hopefully, you can come up with something a little more original than the design team’s initial recording session: a medley of the team burping. … » Full Story on 1UP

Thursday, February 26, 2009

MUSIC LABELS’ BIGGEST CONCERN WITH ‘SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ’ AND HOW ‘GUITAR HERO’ HELPED

on MTV Multiplayer
Patrick Klepek- Submitted: Feb 26, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

The biggest gameplay differentiator for “Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” is an emphasis on users manipulating music to make it their own, and while the concept freaked out record labels, sheer persistence — and “Guitar Hero” — made it possible.

“Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” takes a different approach than “Rock Band” or “Guitar Hero” and places less emphasis on imitating music note-for-note and encouraging users to branch out and organically change the song as it develops.

User generated remixes were a no-no to record labels at first, “Scratch” creative lead Dan Lehrich told me during a hands-off demo of the game yesterday.

“Scratch” comes bundled with hundreds of built-in samples for wanna-be DJs to remix the game’s music to, but more ambitious musicians can plug in a USB microphone and record their own sets of samples. The possibilities are endless. » Full Story on MTV Multiplayer .

PREVIEW: SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ

on Social Median
Submitted: Feb 26, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Beyond all genres, rhythm/music games are by far my favorite. I’ve rocked rock games, danced and waved my arms to dance games, and button tapped the button-tapping games. Hell, I even own Mad Maestro—that’s how much I dig games with a musical slant.

However, there’s one musical genre that’s been missing in all this: hip-hop. Other than karaoke games, hip-hop, R&B and rap have largely been forgotten by the Harmonixes, Konamis and Activisions of the world. It’s pretty pitiful that the music that dominates MTV and Top 40 stations hasn’t had a game to represent it. So when I heard about Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, I was initially skeptical, but interested to see what developer 7 Studios had to offer.

After sitting down and seeing the game played, I’d have to say I’m no longer skeptical. As a matter of fact, from what I’ve seen, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ is now one of my most anticipated game of 2009… » Full Story on Social Median

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ FIRST LOOK

on IGN
Submitted: Feb 25, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

You’ve got your Rock Bands and Guitar Heroes to cater to the rock and roll, metal, pop, and punk crowds. There’s even the long running DDR franchise for those that like J-pop and techno. But where is the mainstream hip-hop game? Activision has DJ Hero on the way but details on that project have been nonexistent. On the immediate horizon, though, is Scratch: The Ultimate DJ from 7 Studios. Like other music rhythm games, this one comes with a set of licensed tracks and a custom peripheral. Unlike others, that music features hip-hop artists such as Mix Master Mike and Kanye West and a turntable peripheral designed by DJ equipment maker Numark.

7 Studios aims to offer an interactive music game in every sense. As fun as they might be, Rock Band and Guitar Hero essentially boil down to a game of Simon Says. When the note scrolls past you, it’s your job to play that note. Small sections where you can play or sing anything give you a little freedom, but you don’t have much wiggle room. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ encourages you to make the song you’re playing your own. A famous artist may have laid down the groundwork—the likes of the Beastie Boys and the Black Eyed Peas have already been announced as being part of the 60 song lineup—but it is up to you to put your own spin on the tune. We had that free-flowing style demoed to us using two songs from the game: “Feel Good Inc.” by The Gorrillaz and “Don’t Sweat the Technique” by Eric B. and Rakim .  .. » Full Story on IGN

Monday, February 23, 2009

FIRST LOOK AT SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ

on Game Informer
Submitted: Feb 23, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

With music games taking so much space on store shelves these days, it’s tough to imagine retailers being receptive to yet another music game that comes bundled with a unique controller. “If we had told them that we were making another rock and roll game, it would have been next to impossible,” says Mike Rubinelli, senior vice president of game development at Genius Products. Once those buyers learn that Scratch: The Ultimate DJ tackles an as-of-yet unexplored aspect of music gaming, he says, those opinions soon change.

Rubinelli and 7 Studios’ Dan Lehrich stopped by our offices recently to show off that new game. While it’s still in the early stages, it’s clear that there’s more to the game than it being the simple “Guitar Hero with a turntable,” concept that people assumed when the game was announced a short while ago.

Trained as a musician, creator Lehrich started his career in the games industry at EA before moving on to 7 Studios. While he worked in the audio department professionally, he spent his off hours developing game concepts—including the one that would ultimately be shaped into Scratch.» Full Story on Game Informer

Saturday, February 21, 2009

SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ TO COMPETE WITH ACTIVISION’S DJ HERO

on Rock Gamer
Gamasutra - Submitted: Feb 21, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Meet Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, the illegitimate love child of Genius Products, 7 Studios, and musician/producer Quincy “QD3″ Jones.

“But isn’t this just a Hip-Hop version of Guitar Hero,” you ask?

Nope. According to Mike Rubinelli, senior VP of game development at Genius Products, “describing Scratch as just an ‘urban version of Guitar Hero or Rock Band’ would be selling it short.” Instead Mr. Rubinelli likens Rock Band and Guitar Hero to modern day versions of Simon Says and adds that Scratch, while not a “music creator game,” won’t be like that. In terms of game play Mr Rubinelli says that, “Our goal is to allow you to interact with music in a meaningful environment with ramping difficulty goals and a different way of scoring achievements than what you’ve interacted with historically.» Full Story on Rock Gamer .

Friday, February 20, 2009

MIX, CROSSFADE, AND SCRATCH LIKE A MASTER TURNTABLIST

on PCMag.com
Jennifer L. DeLeo - Submitted: Feb 20, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

So you want to be a DJ, but you don’t know where to begin. First, ask yourself a couple of questions: Do I have general music knowledge? Do I have a knack for pumping up a crowd? Can I keep people dancing all night? Can I turn the music up? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, chances are you’d make a good DJ!...» Full Story on PCMag.com .

Thursday, February 19, 2009

LET THE BEAT…DROP

on Gemini Bros
Rosenbergh’s Ramblings- Submitted: Feb 19, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Here’s another great Scratch interview from Destructoid’s Nick Chester. This one is with Dan Lehirich, the game’s designer and creative lead. The mores I sees, the mores I likes.

I’ve got no problem with getting big names in there, folks like Kanye, Beastie Boys and others who are backed by great production. Doesn’t matter if it’s games or records, a name sells. As a lover of hip hop turntablism though, I’m more interested in seeing who gets picked up under the radar. They’re off to a good start, with development apparently being presided over by Quincy Jones III and Beastie scratch artist Mix Master Mike….» Full Story on Gemini Bros .

SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ DEVELOPER INTERVIEW

on Gaming City
Destructoid - Submitted: Feb 19, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Later this year, Genius Products and Seven Studios will release Scratch: The Ultimate DJ onto next-gen consoles. Beating Activision and their recently-confirmed DJ Hero to the punch, Scratch puts players in front of an interactive turntable controller peripheral so they have the ability to get their “wickity wickity wah” and “skritchity scrah rurr” on…» Full Story on Gaming City .

SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ SCREENSHOTS

on Digg
Koalition - Submitted: Feb 19, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Here are five new screenshots for the urban music game Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. You can expect to see Scratch: The Ultimate DJ sometime in spring on both Playstation 3 & Xbox 360 ....» Full Story on Digg

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

GENIUS PRODUCTS UNVEILS NEW SCREENSHOTS FROM SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ

on Gamer Tag Radio
Submitted: Feb 18, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Genius Products has released new screenshots from the upcoming videogame, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, one of the first music rhythm games for fans of hip-hop. With creative and technical input from Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features an innovative turntable style controller and more than 60 licensed…» Full Story on Gamasutra .

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

INTERVIEW: GETTING FUNKY WITH SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ

on Gamasutra
Leigh Alexander - Submitted: Feb 17, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

The music game genre in its current incarnation is dominated by rock god fantasies—the huge boom in peripheral-supported music titles has focused on only one type of music. But what about hip hop?

Activision recently announced DJ Hero, which will ship with a turntable peripheral—but before CEO Bobby Kotick began to tease the product, Genius Products revealed it’s developing its own hip hop game, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, partnering with 7 Studios and relying on the input of renowned musician-producer Quincy “QD3” Jones.
...» Full Story on Gamasutra .

DESTRUCTOID INTERVIEW; DAN LEHRICH, CREATOR OF UPCOMING MUSIC GAME, SCRATCH

on Keegy
Destructoid - Submitted: Feb 17, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Later this year, Genius Products and Seven Studios will release Scratch: The Ultimate DJ onto next-gen consoles. Beating Activision and their recently-confirmed DJ Hero to the punch, Scratch puts players in front of an interactive turntable controller peripheral so they can get their “wickity wickity wah” and “skritchity scrah rurr” on.

While we haven’t had a chance to get our fingers on the digital vinyl, we did catch up with the game’s designer and creative lead, Dan Lehrich to get the scoop on Scratch. We had a lot of questions, and fortunately, he had a lot of answers. We grill him on working creatively with music industry legends, the turntable controller, plans for downloadable content, and more. We even ask him to name is five favorite music games. Yeah, we go there ...» Full Story on Keegy .

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

ROCK, UNLIKE HIP-HOP, HAS ‘BUILT-IN GAMEPLAY’ ARGUES ‘SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ’ DESIGNER

on MTV Multiplayer
Patrick Klepek- Submitted: Feb 3, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

Later this year, Genius Products and Seven Studios will release Scratch: The Ultimate DJ onto next-gen consoles. Beating Activision and their recently-confirmed DJ Hero to the punch, Scratch puts players in front of an interactive turntable controller peripheral so they can get their ” ...» Full Story on MTV Multiplayer .