Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today’s movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.


Something very peculiar popped up while we were watching Kid Cudi’s “Make Her Say” music video. Just as the song is winding down, Mr. Cudi (also known as Scott Mescudi) can be seen “air scratching” while someone in the above frame takes the pantomime one step further with DJ Hero‘s turntable peripheral. The connection runs much deeper, though: the song was produced by Kanye West, whose rise to fame arguably came when he produced Jay-Z’s critically acclaimed album The Blueprint… and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, in turn, happens to be one of the two artists (along with Eminem) promoting DJ Hero. Funny how that works out. Video after the break, and jump to the 3:03 mark if all you really want is another glimpse of the controller.

[Thanks, Laxuo and AG Beast]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle

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Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 21 Xbox ‘Games on Demand’ titles revealed

Next Tuesday (that’s August 11th), a dream we have long held near our hearts will be fulfilled — Xbox 360 will add the first twenty-one titles to its Games on Demand service. Now, we don’t have any details about pricing for these yet, but Microsoft has said that the games, which include such august titles as Mass Effect, Call of Duty 2, and Tomb Raider: Legend, will be priced similarly to the physical games. We could whine about that all day, but we’re going to hold off until we see actual pricing details, and move on to dreaming of a trackpad that doesn’t become unresponsive when we spill orange juice on it. Check out the video of the newest addition to the dashboard after the break, hit the read link for the full list of twenty-one.

Update: A Microsoft spokesman just emailed us a list of the Games on Demand titles for the US, which has a couple of notable differences. BioShock, Ridge Racer 6, Karaoke Revolution American Idol, Dance Dance Revolution Universe, and Sonic The Hedgehog are in, while SEGA Rally and Tomb Raider: Legend are decidedly Europe-only for now. Full US list after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

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First 21 Xbox ‘Games on Demand’ titles revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DJ Hero Renegade Edition now accepting callers, lists for $199.99

So how badly do you want that metallic DJ Hero turntable? The game’s official website is now directing your attention to GameStop and Amazon, both of which are now accepting pre-orders for the Renegade Edition (due to launch October 27th alongside the standard bundle) for just one copper Lincoln under $200. That’s a $80 premium over the regular bundle but does also include a stand / carrying case hybrid and a two-CD collection. Then again, it’s also well over the cost of the entire instrument bundle for Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero World Tour. Anyone gonna bite?

[Thanks, HArry]

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DJ Hero Renegade Edition now accepting callers, lists for $199.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

If your virtual disc-scratching needs something a little less silver and little more dark, brooding, and bronze, Activison today announced the DJ Hero Renegade Edition bundle, which includes just such a peripheral with promised premium metal controls and finish. The full package also comes with a hardshell carrying case that doubles as a stand, and less impacting on the gameplay itself, a Jay-Z / Eminem two-CD collection with unreleased tracks and a collectible case designed by Shepard Fairey. No word on price, but if that rumored $120 tag for the standard edition pans out, you can expect to be paying a prettier penny here. Browse the new gear, including the Wii version of the standard turntable, in the gallery below.

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DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Epic Games VP says new consoles are a “long way off,” Natal is the “next Xbox”

We’ve heard plenty of talk about ten-year console life cycles for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and it looks like there’s some consensus starting to build around the idea that any new consoles really are still a long ways off. Speaking with Eurogamer earlier this week, Epic Games VP Mark Rein cast some doubt on the very need for new consoles anytime soon, pointing out that “over half the users who played Gears of War 2 so far do not have HDTVs,” and adding that “there’s no way we’re ready for the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox Whatever.” He did also note, however, that the current consoles would see some major changes, and in the case of the Xbox 360 he says, “it’s called Natal. That is the next Xbox.” For the curious, Rein also concluded that Natal would win in a fight with Sony’s motion controller, but only if it was a kickboxing fight, “because it can see you kicking.”

[Via The Digital Home]

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Epic Games VP says new consoles are a “long way off,” Natal is the “next Xbox” originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox Live update preview program now accepting applicants

Looking to be in the envy of all your friends Xbox 360 online friends? As they did once before with NXE, Microsoft is launching an update preview program for its upcoming Xbox Live dashboard enhancements, which for this round includes Games on Demand, Netflix movie parties, and user ratings — better luck next time, Facebook aficionados. A Microsoft Connect account is required for registration, and lucky participants will be notified by July 31st. Hit up the read link to throw your hat (and gamertag) in the ring for a chance to be selected — no promises you’ll get in, but can’t hurt to try, right?

[Via Joystiq; thanks, Ken]

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Xbox Live update preview program now accepting applicants originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo’s Wii MotionPlus selling well, and Wii Sports Resort ain’t even out yet

For a device that took a solid year to go from “debuting at E3” to “shipping,” we’re pretty surprised to see that Nintendo’s Wii MotionPlus held as much steam as it did. With overall video game sales dropping in June for the first time since 2000 (when looking at year-over-year figures, anyway), the Big N still had a few hundred thousand reasons to smile. Aside from the 361,700 Wii consoles and 766,500 DS units that shipped in June, the company also managed to sell 169,000 Wii MotionPlus dongles — and that’s not including the ones that were packaged with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, of which 272,400 units were sold. The real kicker, however, is that the accessory’s real partner in crime (that’d be Wii Sports Resort) has yet to be released. It’s good to be king, ain’t it Mario?

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Nintendo’s Wii MotionPlus selling well, and Wii Sports Resort ain’t even out yet originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Hawk Ride’s skateboard peripheral turning white before launch

We certainly didn’t mind that the Tony Hawk Ride board we played at E3 had a charcoal coloring, and that goes double for our feet. Apparently that sentiment isn’t shared by the game’s director Josh Tsui, who told GamesIndustry.biz that it’ll be launched in a “more consumer friendly… [and] iPod-like” white color, which in our minds all but guarantees someone out there’s gonna mistake this for a new version of the Wii balance board. Tsui’s not shy with praise either, calling the board “the most advanced peripheral on the market.” Ultimately, the color isn’t gonna matter to us, and with a board-compatible sequel rumored to already be in the works, there’s plenty of time to re-release the peripheral in all sorts of attractive palettes — that’d of course be very iPod-like.

[Via Joystiq]

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Tony Hawk Ride’s skateboard peripheral turning white before launch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo shatters dreams, has “no plans” to ship black Wii console in USA

Seriously Nintendo, what is it? Do you hate freedom? Are you still bitter about the US reception to your underwhelming GameCube? Whatever the case, we’re never going to forgive you for this one. After waiting for years for a Wii in any color other than glossy white, it seems that only the Japanese will be able to enjoy the sleek, sexy and altogether drool-worthy black Wii console. In fact, a rep for the Big N informed GameDaily that there are “no plans to have other colors of the Wii in the United States.” As for us? We’re plugging our ears and pretending this “individual” has no idea what he / she is talking about. And weeping, uncontrollably.

[Via Joystiq]

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Nintendo shatters dreams, has “no plans” to ship black Wii console in USA originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop Invites You to the Indie Game Challenge

indie_game_challenge.jpg

Sick and tired of video game companies reusing old IPs? Do you dream of the day when your game will make it big? Well, you have a chance, starting right…now.

Game retailer GameStop and the Guildhall at Southern Methodist University and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced the launch of the Indie Game Challenge. Professionals and kids working out of their parents garage are being asked to submit game betas and pitch videos between July 14th and October 1st.

Twelve finalists will be announced on January 15th, 2010 and will receive a chance to pitch their ideas to the executives at Sony, Nintendo, EA, Capcom, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Namco/Bandai, and THQ.

“Our entire industry is dependent on the cultivation of new, cutting edge game developers who continue to stretch the boundaries and imaginations of gamers,” said Mike Hogan, senior vice president of marketing, GameStop Corp. “By joining forces with The Guildhall at SMU and AIAS we hope to stimulate a new generation of game developers and reward them with cash awards and scholarships.”

[This post’s author works at GameStop part-time.]