Following the lead of Guitar Hero, Activision has confirmed that this year's in-development DJ Hero title has been cancelled, and the DJ Hero business disbanded.
A statement reads on the official DJ Hero website:
As you can see, Activision puts the cancellations down to a decline in music game sales.
Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg said in an earnings call last night: "Given the considerable licensing and manufacturing costs associated with this genre, we simply cannot make these games profitably based on current economics and demand.
"Instead, what we'll do is focus our time and energies on marketing and supporting our strong catalog of titles and downloadable content, especially to new consumers, as the install base for hardware continues to grow."
Rumours have started circulating that the UK studio behind DJ Hero will see significant layoffs, just a month after confirmation of the closure of Project Gotham studio Bizarre.
FreeStyleGames thanked fans for their support via Twitter, posting: "Thank you all for your messages of support. They do mean a lot to us. It's early days and we will keep you posted."
Comments
11 comments so far...
raredevice on 10 Feb '11 said:
Well, I guess that's easier than just trying to make the games better, so they sell more.
The_Jaster on 10 Feb '11 said:
oh well, it would have only been ran into the ground like GH was.
phate666 on 10 Feb '11 said:
Viz top tips:
Developing studios working for Activision. Make sure your games contain all, or a combination of, these words in their title: Of. Duty. Call. This should at least postpone any pesky "canning" plans.
The_Jaster on 10 Feb '11 said:
Mogs on 10 Feb '11 said:
In this instance, that's an ignorant statement. DJ Hero 2 reviewed very well. It was a good game, just didn't sell enough bazillions for Bobby and his band of slime to deem it worth continuing.
jdkoke on 10 Feb '11 said:
Aw me is a sad panda.
Although I've yet to get round to buying the second one I really loved the first one, had high hopes for the future of the series. Hopefully the developer finds another publisher and continues
Mogs on 10 Feb '11 said:
Activision own Freestyle and the DJ Hero IP. DJ Hero is finished forever.
originalbadboy on 10 Feb '11 said:
tbh ... It's getting a bit silly now ... It's not like Activision dont have a few bob ... I can understand them getting rid of GH as that had run its course ... But DJH had at least another game in it ...
I suppose they can just carry on releasing mixes for it ... That would at least be something.
But as stated its all getting a bit silly now
jdkoke on 10 Feb '11 said:
Oh well that sucks. The bit at the end of the article gives me a glimmer of hope though! DJ Hero is the only music genre game I really liked
raredevice on 10 Feb '11 said:
Well now you're getting me wrong, I'm a MASSIVE DJ Hero fan. However, if Activision don't think it sold well enough, maybe work out why rather than just can the whole idea!
jamez-vampire on 10 Feb '11 said:
couldnt care less lol
DJ hero sucks and guitar hero has fallen behind rock band