Spotlight
Behold, the Hard Edge Mix Pack.
VideoMixing body parts with DJ Hero 2
Surely not hygienic.
All hands on decks.
Key events
31st May 2011
15th March 2011
15th February 2011
30th November 2010
19th October 2010
22nd September 2010
8th September 2010
2nd September 2010
2nd July 2010
15th January 2010
DJ Hero, Chime, Geometry Wars devs form new music game studio
Supergroup assembles.
Key developers from the DJ Hero, Chime and Geometry Wars franchises have formed Echo Peak, a new supergroup studio which will create games in partnership with music industry talent.
Kotick: Activision neglected Guitar Hero
Reveals resuscitation plan is underway.
Sales of the Guitar Hero series crashed because Activision had stopped listening to its audience, CEO Bobby Kotick has admitted.
Debut game hits App Store next week.
A number of Freestyle Games staff have jumped ship from the Activision-owned DJ Hero studio and set up on their own.
Confirmed: DJ Hero dev Freestyle saved
75 staff working on secret project.
DJ Hero developer Freestyle Games has escaped the Activision chop.
The UK studio is now working on a secret project described to Eurogamer as "very, very exciting".
"Over the past three months we have examined a number of options for our studio's future with Activision," creative director Jamie Jackson said.
Sniff.
Activision has launched the final downloadable track pack for DJ Hero 2.
Indie Hip Hop pack detailed.
The next round of DJ Hero 2 DLC brings a bevy of indie hip hop names to the mixing desk, publisher Activision has announced.
Alas, that doesn't mean DMX spitting rhymes over a choice Belle & Sebastian cut. Instead, underground hip hoppers Jaylib, RJD2 and Atmosphere are the order of the day. Here's what's on offer:
"My World Premiere" by Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf Mixed With "The Red (Instrumental)" by Jaylib
More DJ Hero, Guitar Hero DLC promised
"Let's call it an encore."
Activision has changed and has promised to release new Guitar Hero and DJ Hero downloadable content.
DJ Hero dev's fate still undecided
"We hope to have more news soon."
The fate of DJ Hero developer FreeStyleGames remains undecided as Activision continues to make good on its promise to cull 500 jobs from its business.
Better to burn out than to fade away.
Activision has announced the launch of downloadable tracks for Freestyle Games' superb music game DJ Hero 2.
The announcement comes a week after Activision revealed plans to close its Guitar hero business following appalling sales of the once all-conquering franchise.
The Pendulum Mix Pack, which contains three tracks by the Australian electronic rockers' new album Immersion, is available to download now.
"The brand lost its relevance."
As the dust settles on Activision's decision to put an end to its world-famous peripheral-based music franchise Guitar Hero and the difficult work of sacking those who helped create it begins, one question remains: where did it all go wrong?
DJ Hero support studio canned.
The bodycount from Activision's house-cleaning exercise yesterday continues to mount up, with LA-based 7 Studios the latest confirmed dead.
Freestyle responds to closure concern
Is "working with Activision on various options".
DJ Hero developer Freestyle Games has broken its silence on Activision's closure of the Guitar Hero business.
What next for Guitar Hero DLC?
The day the music died.
Last night Eurogamer broke the news that Activision had closed its Guitar Hero business, effectively killing the music game after five years of groundbreaking success.
DJ Hero joins Guitar Hero on scrap heap
Activision cuts 500 jobs.
The DJ Hero franchise will follow Guitar Hero into the flames, publisher Activision has confirmed.
Layoffs at DJ Hero dev, True Crime cancelled.
UPDATE: Reports are coming in that layoffs have also hit the Activision-owned developer Vicarious Visions. Developer Manveer Heir tweeted this evening to say, "Ugh sorry to hear about the Vicarious Visions layoffs today after Guitar Hero canceled. Shitty. Sounds like Freestyle (DJ Hero) got hit too."
Glowsticks not included.
New DJ Hero 2 DLC adds in a trio of trance mixes from genre heavyweights like Armin van Buuren and Paul Oakenfold.
KISS, Linkin Park for Guitar Hero, DJH2
It's KISS-mas, declares Activision.
Downloadable KISS and Linkin Park tracks are coming to music games Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and DJ Hero 2, Activision has announced.
Behold, the Hard Edge Mix Pack.
Behold, the Hard Edge Mix Pack.
Three downloadable Mix Packs revealed.
Activision's detailed three new downloadable mix packs for DJ Hero 2, one of which is out now.
The Hard Edge Mix Pack includes Pixies' "Debaser" mixed with The Prodigy's "Invaders Must Die", and Beastie Boys' "Body Movin'" mixed with Lenny Kravitz' "Rock And Roll Is Dead". That's out today.
On 14th December the Old Skool Mix Pack will release. It includes Fat Boys' "Human Beat Box" mixed with Mantronix' "King of the Beats", Tag Team's "Whoomp! (There It Is)" mixed with 45 King's "The 900 Number", and Beastie Boys' "Triple Trouble" mixed with Tone-Lōc's "Funky Cold Medina".
Free DJ Hero/Guitar Hero songs for US
Not giving thanks for that.
Residents of the US have Coca-Cola to thank for a batch of free downloadable DJ Hero 2 and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock songs.
Hero franchise will return in 2011
Activision not put off by falling sales.
The Hero franchise will be back in 2011, Activision has confirmed, despite dismal sales of both Guitar Hero: Warrior of Rock and DJ Hero 2.
UK chart: Fallout: New Vegas wins big
Vanquish, DJ Hero 2, MMA miss top 10.
Bethesda's new Fallout game has entered the UK all-formats chart at number one.
Two many DJs.
Anyone taking the pulse of the rhythm-action genre right now is coming away worried. Even this time last year, sales of the genre's front man franchises were tailing off; now Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock's dreadful performance seems to be fulfilling the grimmest premonitions. High-street window displays are full of discounted plastic instruments. People are sick of pretending to be in a band, the stars seem to be saying. Something's got to change.
I am one of these people. I've been playing Guitar Hero for fully five years, and I've reached my ceiling. Before that I had to get my music-gaming kicks in hard-to-find places – mostly Japanese arcades – and I miss the purity of those games, the Beatmanias and Gitaroo Mans and Frequencies. You and the screen. Bright colours, impossible patterns, booming music. That rush of good chemicals to the brain when you're making all of it happen in synch.
DJ Hero 2 reminds me of simpler times. Rock Band has reacted to the current mood by turning itself into an awe-inspiring full music-learning hardware and software suite, adding fascinating layers of depth and difficulty that maybe 5 per cent of its audience will ever fully experience. DJ Hero 2 strips away almost everything except you, the music, the patterns, and the big number above your score meter.
My score is better than yours.
How can you try DJ Hero 2 without a turntable peripheral and a console? By going to the DJ Hero website on your PC and playing a specially crafted mini-game. That's how.
VideoMixing body parts with DJ Hero 2
Surely not hygienic.
Surely not hygienic.
Get DJ Hero free with DJ Hero 2
Spend either £90 or £150 to qualify.
Activision is giving away a copy of DJ Hero 1 to anybody that buys the DJ Hero 2 Party or Turntable bundles.
DJ Hero 2 leads PSN Store dash
MW2 DLC cheapened as MOH gets near.
A DJ Hero 2 demo is the most interesting piece of content added to the PlayStation Store today. Will the full game be any good? Should be, the first one was. Does anyone care? Can't say, but this could be the last attempt if the answer is no.
All hands on decks.
All hands on decks.
Activision reveals all 83 mash-ups.
The final tracklisting for DJ Hero 2 has slipped out of Activision HQ. Kanye West, DJ Shadow, Tiesto and RZA feature prominently.
Eurogamer's Christian Donlan thoroughly enjoyed fiddling with DJ Hero 2's knobs when he went hands-on in June.
FreeStyleGames' sequel arrives on 22nd October in a number of different shapes and sizes. You can grab the game on its own, in a bundle with one turntable (£99.99) or as a party pack with two turntables and a mic (£149.99).
VideoDJ Hero 2 feat. Lady Gaga trailer
Remixed by "European ambassador" Tiësto.
DJ Hero 2 and GH:WOR demos out now
On Xbox Live.
Demos for music games DJ Hero 2 and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock are available to download now from Xbox Live, Activision's announced.
VideoDJ Hero 2 Tiesto revealed
Tiesto your mettle.
Tiesto your mettle.
Tiesto becomes DJ Hero ambassador
Dutch star joins devs on stage in Ibiza.
Superstar turntablist Tiesto is the official European ambassador for DJ Hero 2, Activision's announced.
Wu-hoo.
Decked out.
Decked out.
DJ Hero 2 snares Wu-Tang's RZA
He's even donated some music.
Wu-Tang Clan co-founder RZA has signed on the dotted line for DJ Hero 2.
VideoDJ Hero 2 developer diary
Behind the music.
Behind the music.
The 105 tunes making up the mixes.
Activision has unveiled the list of "105 speaker-blaring tracks and club-shaking anthems that will be transformed into over 80 unique mixes" for DJ Hero 2.
DJ Hero strikes back.
DJ Hero strikes back.
VideoDJ Hero 2 - DJ Tiesto signs up
Table service.
Table service.
VideoDJ Qbert rips up DJ Hero 2
Not literally.
Not literally.
Activision reveals DJ Hero 2 artist list
Prodigy! Rihanna! Guetta! Jackson! Fiddy!
Activision has announced that DJ Hero 2 features music from over 100 artists.
FreeStyle happier with DJ Hero 2 price
Was "quite vocal" about original cost.
DJ Hero 2 developer FreeStyle Games has told Eurogamer TV that it is much happier with the pricing for its second turntable music game.
DJ Hero 2 dev on pricing, hardware, rocking the mic.
DJ Hero 2 dev on pricing, hardware, rocking the mic.
Don't call it a comeback.
Like those packets of bacon that come with sandwich-destroying pictures of the farms the meat originated from, it would be interesting if annual videogame releases carried some sort of visual insight into the mental health of their development teams.
Two turntables and a microphone.
Two turntables and a microphone.
Free Gaga track for first game to celebrate.
Activision has announced that DJ Hero 2 will be released this autumn for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.
"It was a trip," says spinner.
DJ Shadow has become the latest person to talk about DJ Hero 2.
Leaked GAME schedule hints at big dates
COD7, Bond Racing, MGS Rising, Fallout...
Call of Duty 7 and DJ Hero 2 are both due out in October, according to a leaked GAME Xbox 360 release schedule obtained by VG247.
Activision sticking with DJ Hero series
New instalment out this year, says Kotick.
Activision boss Robert Kotick has said the company laughs in the face of poor DJ Hero sales and is planning to release a sequel this year.
Activision confirms new DJ Hero game
Begins campaign for "undiscovered" talent.
Activision's confirmed "a future instalment" in the DJ Hero series, but stopped short of adding a number two to the name.
"Do you want your song mashed up in the next DJ Hero?" Activision asked musicians attending the huge MIDEM music show in Cannes, France later this month.
Those that do will have their submissions judged at a Listening Session at MIDEM on 27th January - "providing one lucky undiscovered musician the priceless opportunity to have their winning song mixed, mastered and featured in a future instalment of DJ Hero".
Musician presumably wants a rewind.
French DJ David Guetta has blown Activision's cover and outed a sequel to DJ Hero.
