The Game, Luda, T.I. Bust Moves For 'Def Jam Icon'

[Damien J.]

Cutting-edge music has long been an integral feature of high-end video games. Now, as Electronic Arts and the gaming arm of Def Jam Records gear up for the third in their successful series of Def Jam-branded game titles, and first for next-generation game platforms, music is being incorporated into the fabric of the gameplay as well.

"Gaming is almost intrinsic in hip-hop," says Lauren Wirtzer, VP marketing at Def Jam Interactive. "Every artist who goes on the road is going to have some sort of PlayStation or Xbox on their tour bus. It goes hand in hand."

For their latest endeavor, EA has opened a studio in Chicago that is working with more than 35 artists, including the Game, Ludacris, Paul Wall, T.I. and Big Boi. All of the Def Jam artists in the fighting game will be photorealistic playable characters with unique moves and exclusive music tracks.

The development team laser scanned each artist and motion-captured their facial and body movements to take advantage of next-generation technology. Not only will the artists be featured in lifelike moves in the game, but their music also will influence the gameplay for the first time.

"Music plays a much bigger role in this title than in the past two," Wirtzer says. "Music influences the environment in which the players play the game. We had to go above and beyond to make sure there's some new and exciting music offered to the player while they're playing through these environments."

Def Jam Interactive and EA will release "Def Jam Icon" for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March. The convergence of the music giant and the world's largest independent video game publisher already has resulted in two best-selling current-generation games, "Def Jam Vendetta" in 2003 and "Def Jam Fight for N.Y." in 2004, which infused hip-hop music, culture and lifestyle into gameplay.

Def Jam is working with EA to incorporate a full range of hip-hop music from various styles. The different beats will impact the various interactive environments, which can be used by the player to throw an opponent into things like a car wash that keeps to the beat of the song. Each song played in each environment will open up unique interactions.

Wirtzer says that beginning next year, such next-generation consoles as PS3 and Xbox 360 will open up other types of interactions between gamers and music companies. The always-on broadband-connected devices allow content, including music, to be digitally distributed directly to the box. Gamers will be able to select music for their titles and then create their own soundtracks.

Beyond its relationship with EA, which has several additional Def Jam titles that will be released over the next few years, Wirtzer said that Def Jam Interactive will be making some new video game announcements next year.

"Def Jam Interactive's goal is to communicate to the consumer that we have a viable brand in the gaming business as well," Wirtzer says. "I think we've proven so far that we've been able to partner with EA and build great games. And we're going to extend that brand into a few more partnerships that make sense."

This report is provided by Billboard.com