Konami to publish Def Jam Rapstar this Fall

by: Chuck - posted: 4/8/2010 7:47:00 AM

At last year's E3 I wisely skipped the Nintendo press conference to check out Def Jam Rapstar from new developer 4mm   It might have been the best decision I made at E3 as I didn't have to listen to Reggie talk about numbers and introduce the "Vitality sensor".  I bring this up because Konami announced today that they will be helping 4mm distribute the game this fall.  

I'm starting to think that people are going to be in for a very positive surprise when they play the game. as it's not just a rap version of Sing Star in that you actually have to hit beats.  I actually talked to a few other journos at PAX about the game and they were also fairly surprised at how well the game looked and differed from other singing games in the market.  Hopefully the game will live up to all of our expectations.

KONAMI TO DISTRIBUTE DEF JAM RAPSTAR VIDEOGAME THIS FALL

First Music Game All About You, Hip Hop, and Your Social Networks
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. | NEW YORK - April 8, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment Inc., is excited to announce that it has entered an exclusive distribution agreement with Autumn Games, 4mm Games and Def Jam Interactive for the upcoming music videogame Def Jam Rapstar. Developed by 4mm Games, Terminal Reality and Def Jam Interactive, Def Jam Rapstar is the first true interactive Hip Hop music game experience for consoles, and will be available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Nintendo Wii™ this Fall.

"Hip Hop music has for 30 years re-defined the sound, boundaries and culture of popular music," said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "We look to bring that ambition to fruition by pushing the boundaries of music games with Def Jam Rapstar. The star power development teams of 4mm Games and Def Jam Interactive are going to bring a music game experience that no one has seen to date, which is why we are so excited to be a part of such a unique game."

"Hip Hop is a global phenomenon that has permeated pop culture to become the most important youth movement of our generation. We are proud to deliver the first authentic Hip Hop music experience to gamers that will undoubtedly change the way music games are played," stated Kevin Liles, President and CEO of Def Jam Enterprises. "It is an incredible opportunity to work with 4mm Games and Terminal Reality in developing Def Jam Rapstar, and by partnering with Konami we ensure that everyone around the world will have an opportunity to compete with the best of the best. So show us what you got!"

"4mm was founded with the intent of bringing the experience of Constantly Connected Gaming™ to the next generation of gamers," said Nick Perrett, CEO of 4mm Games. "We look forward to providing Hip Hop fans worldwide a powerful example of that vision this fall with Def Jam Rapstar."

The ultimate emcee experience for video game consoles, Def Jam Rapstar is the only music game that focuses exclusively on Hip Hop. With more than 40 of the greatest Hip Hop songs available at release, including region specific music for the UK and Europe, allows you to be the star: by rhyming, using your console camera, and uploading your video to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community at www.defjamrapstar.com. Def Jam Rapstar also offers you the ability to freestyle over tracks by some of the hottest Hip Hop producers and upload your freestyle performances for the world to decide how good you really are.

Initial confirmed Def Jam Rapstar gameplay tracks include:


ARTIST


SONG






2 Pac


I Get Around

50 Cent


I Get Money

Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg


Nuthin' But a "G" Thang

Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx


Gold Digger

Lil' Wayne


A Milli

Notorius B.I.G.


Juicy

Slick Rick


Children's Story

T.I. featuring Rihanna


Live Your Life

Wu Tang Clan


C.R.E.A.M.

Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West


Put On



Def Jam Rapstar is being co-published by Autumn Games, and represents the publishers' first major release as part of its ongoing efforts to provide a new way for top-flight developers to independently make and release games that challenge traditional boundaries.

For more information of Def Jam Rapstar, please go to www.defjamrapstar.com.

To follow Def Jam Rapstar on Twitter please visit www.twitter.com/defjamrapstar.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular films Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION.

About Def Jam Interactive
Def Jam Interactive, a division of Def Jam Enterprises, is a leading producer and marketer of interactive software games and a preeminent force in the digital industry. It is committed to delivering high-quality; cutting-edge video game titles to consumers by providing an authentic hip hop experience through gameplay, cultural nuances, strategic partnerships, music, talent, and executive direction. Def Jam Interactive was the first hip-hop brand to successfully partner in the gaming space and to date has produced multiple platinum-selling console titles, including Def Jam Vendetta, Def Jam Fight for NY, and Def Jam Icon. It is the only viable hip hop brand that has trusted consumer loyalty in the gaming space. For more than 20 years, the executive team has successfully extended the Def Jam brand in comedy, poetry, television, apparel, mobile, to name a few. For more information, please visit www.defjaminteractive.com.

About 4mm Games
Based in New York City, 4mm Games is an independent global interactive entertainment company that is forging a new approach to content creation: Constantly Connected Gaming™. The company is concentrated on incubating, producing, developing, and releasing a diverse portfolio of culturally relevant entertainment properties that join together multiple platforms including video game consoles, personal computers, mobile devices, and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.4mmgames.com

Constantly Connected Gaming is a trademark of 4mm Games, LLC.

About CEA Autumn Games
CEA Autumn Games is a global interactive entertainment investment company focused on the development and distribution of high-quality video games and other related media. The Company was founded as a joint venture between Communications Equity Associates ("CEA") and Autumn Entertainment Partners ("AEP"), combining CEA's 36 year track record in global media and entertainment private equity and merchant banking with AEP's unparalleled expertise in content finance. Since its inception, CEA Autumn Games has formed long-term partnerships with a number of industry leading game studios to support them in their efforts to make culturally impactful entertainment. For more information, please visit www.ceaautumngames.com.

About Terminal Reality
Terminal Reality, Inc. (TRI) founded by lead programmer/CEO Mark Randel in 1994, is an independent industry veteran. With a focus on quality, technology and tools, TRI has shipped more than 30 titles, with more than 80 SKUs. Using the technology behind the highly acclaimed Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Terminal Reality spawns the next wave in game development: The Infernal Engine.

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