An Iconic Approach to Fighting Games
The PS3 is getting a new Def Jam game. Excited? So are we. Here are the details.
Published: October 18, 2006
“Music is the cornerstone of hip-hop culture so we wanted to incorporate music and rhythm into the actual gameplay mechanics,” begins EA Chicago executive producer, GM and all-around pimp Kudo Tsunoda. “In Def Jam: Icon, we are changing the way fighting games are played! We are completely innovating the role of the environments in the games, moving from the typical lifeless arenas the hip-hop celebrities are fighting in to environments that play an instrumental part in the fight where they will react to the music and interact with both characters like a third fighter.”
“The Def Jam Interactive – EA relationship has expanded into a new frontier with EA Chicago’s breakthrough technology. We have worked very closely with the team to ensure that authentic hip-hop culture and lifestyle permeates through every part of the product. Def Jam: Icon will guarantee the ultimate combination of a real hip-hop experience and revolutionary fighting gameplay,” finishes Lauren Wirtzer, VP Marketing, Def Jam Enterprises.
We felt it best to let the folks involved in the game announce it to you guys. Yes, they're talking about a new Def Jam fighting game, though this one, Def Jam: Icon is purely next-gen in effort. It's not exactly breaking news or anything (we actually told you about it over a year ago), but what we do have now is a name and some concrete details (oh and maybe just a few screenshots just for you).
As Kudo mentioned, the game will be handled not by AKI, whose engine and wrestling background helped sculpt the first two games into a surprisingly solid brawler unlike anything else out there, but by Fight Night Round 3 dev house EA Chicago. Hip-hop is taking an even bigger role in the tone and style of the game (if that's even possible), with an updated roster of fighters like Big Boi, Ludacris and T.I. where music actually plays a part in how they fight.
Okay, so we lied, that's pretty much all we know. The game is slated for a release in about six months (March of 2007, just in time to sneak into that fiscal 06 year report), but the more complex details like how the game will control, if it will use the SIXAXIS' motion sensing bits, and what the game will actually be, y'know, about is still something EA isn't talking about. We're willing to bet they're saving it for a cover story in one of those big ol' magazines, but as soon as we have more info, we'll make sure to pass it along. We promise.
For now, though, feast your eyes on the first images of the game to your left there, and check back soon for future updates.
“The Def Jam Interactive – EA relationship has expanded into a new frontier with EA Chicago’s breakthrough technology. We have worked very closely with the team to ensure that authentic hip-hop culture and lifestyle permeates through every part of the product. Def Jam: Icon will guarantee the ultimate combination of a real hip-hop experience and revolutionary fighting gameplay,” finishes Lauren Wirtzer, VP Marketing, Def Jam Enterprises.
We felt it best to let the folks involved in the game announce it to you guys. Yes, they're talking about a new Def Jam fighting game, though this one, Def Jam: Icon is purely next-gen in effort. It's not exactly breaking news or anything (we actually told you about it over a year ago), but what we do have now is a name and some concrete details (oh and maybe just a few screenshots just for you).
As Kudo mentioned, the game will be handled not by AKI, whose engine and wrestling background helped sculpt the first two games into a surprisingly solid brawler unlike anything else out there, but by Fight Night Round 3 dev house EA Chicago. Hip-hop is taking an even bigger role in the tone and style of the game (if that's even possible), with an updated roster of fighters like Big Boi, Ludacris and T.I. where music actually plays a part in how they fight.
Okay, so we lied, that's pretty much all we know. The game is slated for a release in about six months (March of 2007, just in time to sneak into that fiscal 06 year report), but the more complex details like how the game will control, if it will use the SIXAXIS' motion sensing bits, and what the game will actually be, y'know, about is still something EA isn't talking about. We're willing to bet they're saving it for a cover story in one of those big ol' magazines, but as soon as we have more info, we'll make sure to pass it along. We promise.
For now, though, feast your eyes on the first images of the game to your left there, and check back soon for future updates.