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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

E3 09: First look at Genius’ Scratch

on Destructoid
By Nick Chester
Submitted: June 2, 2009

Earlier this week, Genius Products invited us out to their offices to get an exclusive, early hands-on of their upcoming turntable-based music game, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ.

While the game will officially be revealed to the world this Wednesday night, we got a first-look at the controller, as well as a chance to play a few tracks. More detailed hands-on impressions will be going up later this week, but Genius’ Mike Rubinelli was nice enough to chat it up with us about what you can expect when the game ships.

Hit the jump for the first look at Scratch, and at me looking like an idiot in the process.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

THREE REASONS SCRATCH WILL BE BETTER THAN DJ HERO

on PS3 Informer
By Kris Erickson
Submitted: May 27, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

“Three Reasons Scratch will be Better than DJ Hero”… Kris Erickson had fantastic things to say about Scratch when compared to DJ Hero claiming that “While both games will allow pasty white nerds everywhere the chance to vicariously live out their fantasies of laying down ill beats, only one is deserving of their time and money. That game is Scratch: The Ultimate DJ.”  He breaks down three reasons why Scratch will do better than DJ Hero -

“Any music-rhythm game purporting to represent DJ culture is going to need a lot of street cred, and Scratch seems to Activision beat here as well.”

“the designers of Scratch have really done their homework and secured deals with artists who really define the DJ culture.”

“While the DJ Hero controller is certainly functional, the Numark-inspired deck included with Scratch: The Ultimate DJ is the bomb.”

This winter, two competing music rhythm games will each vie for your attention - and money. Both games will ditch the tired rock-and-roll theme that has been so tremendously successful in favor of sampled beats and a turntable. While both games will allow pasty white nerds everywhere the chance to vicariously live out their fantasies of laying down ill beats, only one is deserving of their time and money. That game is Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. Here are three reasons why we think the innovative new title from Genius Products will trounce Activision’s competing game, DJ Hero, when both land side-by-side in shops this winter.

Scratch did it first
You know that episode of Sienfeld where Kramer comes up with this great idea for a cologne that smells like the beach, and then Calvin Klein totally steals it? That’s pretty much what Activision has done here. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ has been in production since 2007, with 7 Studios developing and publisher Genius Products behind the title. However, after having acquired the developers at 7 Studios, Activision quickly announced its own music rhythm game in 2008 that is eerily similar to the one already in production by Genius. Genius has sued Activision and 7 Studios, alleging that the latter basically stole their idea. While the court case is unlikely to be settled in time to prevent either game’s release, we recommend settling this score the old fashioned way: with a DJ battle.

Facin’ a collaboration
Any music-rhythm game purporting to represent DJ culture is going to need a lot of street cred, and Scratch seems to Activision beat here as well. Genius Products has collaborated closely with Beastie Boy and scratch maestro Mix Master Mike on Ultimate DJ. We can’t think of anybody whose input would be as knowledgeable when it comes to the history of sampled music. Activision has tons of money to license music tracks for its game, so we have no doubt that their final setlist will be impressive in scope. However, the designers of Scratch have really done their homework and secured deals with artists who really define the DJ culture. It has been confirmed that the Scratch setlist will include music by DJ Shadow, the Gorillaz, and Run DMC, for starters.

The Controller
Every fan of Rock Band knows that the controller can make or break the game. That is why the design of the turntable for both of these DJ games was so important, and why each side has kept their design a secret until the very last minute. It’s hard to fault the choice made by Activision to put the finger buttons right on the turntable to emulate the feel of scratching a record, but the overall design looks uninspired. While the DJ Hero controller is certainly functional, the Numark-inspired deck included with Scratch: The Ultimate DJ is the bomb. The Numark deck features a free-spinning, touch sensitive turntable and a crossfader. Players can even record and upload their own samples using a compatible USB microphone. Word to your mom.

Scratch, bottom-right and DJ Hero, top-left. The turntable designed for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features a crossfader and can be flipped for left-handed beatmakers... » Full Story on PS3 Informer

ONE TURNTABLE TO RULE THEM ALL DJ HERO VS SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ

on Joystiq
by David Hinkle
Submitted: May 27, 2009
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ(Xbox 360)

With two high profile DJ-‘em-up games coming out in DJ Hero and Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, many are likely scratching their heads at which turntable and promised experience is going to be superior. Well, we can’t comment on the latter (until E3, anyway), but we can take a look at the two competing controllers. We stacked them side-by-side for your viewing pleasure and compared all the known details in our gallery below. Enjoy!.

Turntables

First up, we look at the turntables. DJ Hero’s controller goes for the standard size, with a much larger turntable that incorporates buttons directly onto the face of it. Also, it appears to have a bit more texture to it, and is overall a bit more basic through the use of only three buttons to Scratch’s five. As for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, its turntable is a lot smaller (think 45s vs regular records) and touch-sensitive, and even spins on its own, like a real turntable. Also, the turntable for Scratch moves any buttons off the face of the turntable itself and places them on the side, allowing players to navigate menus through a d-pad, as well as the other standard buttons. For the authentic DJ experience, it looks like Scratch wins in the turntable department.

Lefty-Compatible

Both controllers will be able to fit left-handed players in its own way. DJ Hero’s turntable controller supports left-handed players through a detachable crossfader, uh, attachment, as we’ve only seen in this sneaky shot of the entire peripheral in action. It can attach to either side, allowing rightys and leftys to drop the block-rockin’ beats with ease.

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ also allows left-handed players to get into the action by simply turning the controller 180 degrees, as it was designed symmetrically.

Off to the side

There aren’t any good images of the DJ Hero turntable’s attachable crossfader (though a Spike promo did get us a grainy look at the entire thing here). The side attachment features a crossfader, as well as some other buttons, the use for which is unconfirmed right now. As for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, its turntable controller features a fixed side area with 5 Akai Pro MPC-style drum pads and a crossfader.

The business of buttons

We briefly touched on the number of buttons (Hero’s 3 compared to Scratch’s 5), but we can go a bit more in depth. The buttons on the DJ Hero turntable are a lot longer and skinnier, forgoing the chunky, squared style of Scratch’s controller. Each turntable’s buttons are also color-codes, as is the norm, and stack side-by-side for easy tapping. It should be noted that Scratch’s peripheral actually maps controller buttons, whereas there clearly isn’t enough on the DJ Hero controller to do so. Looks like DJ Hero’s controller is for DJ Hero alone.

For the Casual, for the hardcore

Until we start to see track lists and prices, there isn’t going to be much else to compare these two games than with their respective controllers. At first glance, DJ Hero appears to be something aimed at casual players who enjoy the DJ experience, but aren’t moonlighting at da club on Saturday nights. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ’s turntable controller appears to be the opposite, inviting the hardcore DJ fans who DO moonlight on Saturday nights through its smaller, touch-sensitive turntable and traditional DJ layout. So, will you be the Ultimate DJ, or a DJ Hero?

A FIRST-LOOK PREVIEW OF SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ WAS FEATURED IN THE MAY ISSUE OF PLAY MAGAZINE

PLAY Magazine May 2009 By Heather Anne Campbell first-look preview of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ was featured in the May issue of Play Magazine Heather Campbell details Scratch for readers by pointing out many of the game’s unique features, including the various gameplay modes, sampling, USB microphone feature, voice recording, customization, mixing and the turntable-style controller. Note the key differentiators from competitive titles in that Scratch actually allows for players to create their own music and record their best jam sessions. “Sure, you can always pick up a copy of Dance Dance Revolution, but hopping on arrows isn’t the same as pressing them with your thumbs. Some people want to feel like they’re responsible for the music, not just dancing along with it.” “In fact, unlike Band or Hero, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ lets you record your best sessions…because a great play through is going to sound unique, tailored to your own sensibilities.”  “Scratching the table doesn’t just load up a pre-existing set of scratch samples; instead, the feedback is actually based on the action of the record.”

SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ, RHYTHM GENRE SOON TO BECOME A HIP-HOPCARCY

Playstation: The Official Magazine May 2009 By Scott Butterworth Scratch: The Ultimate DJ’s preview is featured in the May issues of Playstation: The Official Magazine (c. 301,151).  As an added bonus, a screenshot is also featured on the Playstation magazine’s poly bag.  From Playstation: The Official Magazine, Scott Butterworth, goes in-depth on Scratch’s peripheral, gameplay manipulation, improvisation and scratching, bonus points and tutorials.  A “Rap Sheet” is also featured in the sidebar listing Scratch’s setlist.  Here are some highlights: “Sticking to the scrolling pattern will produce an unaltered version of the original song, but adding extra notes introduces new sound and rhythmic variations that essentially let you create a unique real-time remix.” “Thanks to some click pattern recognition, the game will recognize any of the hundreds of standard scratching tricks that you happen to perform, and aware you accordingly.”

SCRATCH: THE ULTIMATE DJ, A NEW SPIN ON THE RHYTHM GENRE

XBOX, Official XBOX Magazine May 2009 By Ryan McCaffrey From Official Xbox Magazine (c. 403,869), Ryan McCaffrey (a fan of Counting Crows) begins the preview by saying he’s “probably the last person that should be excited about a DJ videogame!” However, after sitting in on the demo of the game, Ryan quickly changed his tone and refers to himself as “converted.” The preview details the peripheral, improvisation, turntable tricks, bonus points and setlist.  Here are additional highlights: “Lehrich accurately likened it to the trick system in a snowboarding game, and with around 60 tracks to groove to, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to flex your budding deejay muscles.” “After seeing it in action, I can’t wait to get my hands on Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, a fascinating addition to the rhythm/music genre.”  “Scratch’s open-ended, freestyle nature has me itching to see what I can create, even if I likely won’t be scratching over “Mr. Jones” anytime soon.”