Here's My Thoughts

Originally, I was thinking of this post as sort of a Shameful Secret. Hey guys, look at me. I'm kinda interested in DJ Hero. Everyone point and laugh. We'd all make a few jokes at Guitar Hero's expense and then that would be the end of it. But I think there a few more under lying points going on in this situation.

First off, I am a music game player. More so than any genre, Rhythm and music games has and will always capture my attention. It is a very niche market and while others may come and go in the Guitar Hero Fad, as long as I am still playing video games, so shall I be playing these types of games.

Besides that, what is it about DJ Hero that has my interest?
Well honestly, it's probably a good game. There have been a few respected video game journalists who have gotten hands on and have been positive about their experience. There is a fine line to be walked in this sort of genre of music. There are different cultures, styles, and ideals behind how a "DJ" should be and while I'll never claim to fully know or understand, I have my opinions somewhat set. Take a look at the banner above. That is how I feel this game should be. Fun. Colorful. Explosive with collaboration and expression. I mean for goodness sakes, there's a Goldfish wearing headphones. If you can't get into playing a music game that has that on the cover, you probably don't like yourself very much.

So what are my barriers for the game? Like any music game, song selection is the biggest factor. Music is a very opinionated hobby. People are passionate about it and they always feel that they are in the right. I'm not expecting Happy J-pop because I don't feel that would fit the nature of the game but I also don't want hours of rap battles and electronic stuff because it's not my type of music. Catering to multi-genres will eventually kill music games. Trying to satisfy and include everyone makes everyone partially but not completely happy. But that's totally another point that I'll make some other time about downloadable content.

Activision. I just feel gross when someone mentions their name. Because of recent Chotch discussions, I've been reading more about Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision, and why people think he's a disgusting human being. We don't need to go into details and I understand this is a business, but I don't think that's a company I want to support. Regardless of how they're doing now, I believe things will eventually catch up with them. You should always build your business for the long term and worry less about making a few extra bucks right here and now. With them latching on to peripheral heavy games like Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk Ride, and DJ Hero, I think Activision will eventually go through some tough times in the near future.

Which leads me into the final point, Price. There are two versions of the turn table. I don't believe that early on people should buy the Premium Metal controller because who knows if you're actually going to get into the game. Two hundred dollars is a lot to spend just to play a game. Even the cheaper one hundred twenty bundle is a lot to ask. That's the cost of two games. Are people going to take the chance, buy one question mark game and pass on two great more proven ones coming out? I don't think this turntable has legs to stand on.

When Guitar Hero came out it did a great job of improving on what was already done years before by Guitar Freaks. I think it'll be the same this time. Beatmania and IIDX were just to difficult to jump into, but if Activision thinks that DJ Hero will nearly be the success that Guitar Hero was, they are greatly mistaken. Just because you tack on the Hero name on to something doesn't mean it's going to be a sure hit. And I think they're going to learn their lesson on this one. Unfortunately, I also think it's going to set the music genre back again.

I will be picking this game up eventually, hopefully before the end of the year, but you can almost guarantee that I won't be paying the full retail price. I'll wait until some unhappy consumer trades theirs in because it wasn't exactly what they were expecting. Trust me, it's going to happen.

David