Scratch DJ Sues Activision: Is DJ Hero In Jeopardy?

[koopy]

Looks like Activision may be in some hot water. Genius Products and Numark Industries are suing them over their DJ Hero game, which they claim violates contractual obligations among other things.. Yahoo Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Scratch-DJ-Sues-Activision-Is-paidcontent-14928455.html):

A pair of indie gaming companies may have tossed a wrench into Activision's plans to piggyback on the success of its Guitar Hero franchise with the upcoming DJ Hero game. Genius Products and Numark Industries, the two companies behind the as-yet-released Scratch: The Ultimate DJ game, have filed a lawsuit in California against *Activision* and developer 7 Studios for "intentional interference with contract, breach of contract, conversion and misappropriation of trade secrets."

At least they aren't waiting till AFTER it is released to sue.

[Worldcrafter]

That story got the wrench throwing backwards.

According to Gamasutra (www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23206) Genius contracted 7 Studios to build Scratch DJ. Activision came along and tried to buy them out so DJ Hero wouldn't have competition. When negotiations broke down, Genius and Numark pumped money into Scratch DJ and got it moving again. Activision then swung in and bought 7 Studios. Finishing Scratch DJ is now up to Activision's discretion, which means the game is effectively dead.

So Activision threw a wrench in Genius' plans, and Genius is making a last ditch attempt to strike back before their IP gets lost in limbo. Personally I think both games sound stupid, but if it all went down like Genius claims, it was a truly dick move on Activision's part.

[Froggy]

That story got the wrench throwing backwards.

According to Gamasutra (www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23206) Genius contracted 7 Studios to build Scratch DJ. Activision came along and tried to buy them out so DJ Hero wouldn't have competition. When negotiations broke down, Genius and Numark pumped money into Scratch DJ and got it moving again. Activision then swung in and bought 7 Studios. Finishing Scratch DJ is now up to Activision's discretion, which means the game is effectively dead.

So Activision threw a wrench in Genius' plans, and Genius is making a last ditch attempt to strike back before their IP gets lost in limbo. Personally I think both games sound stupid, but if it all went down like Genius claims, it was a truly dick move on Activision's part.

Jesus. That's fucked up. I mean, that's lower than a Dachshund's navel.

[thehardac]

Its good business by Activision. I dunno what you guys are smoking. Like you wouldn't do the same thing if you were in the same position. You just get up in arms because it makes you seem cool and important to have an opinion. But if you were the business big wigs who ran companies and had to think about the bottom line, you'd buy out people too.

[Worldcrafter]

I really just don't like this brand of business, and that's why I'd never be a CEO. What makes me uncomfortable is instead of trying to make their product stand out, Activision just killed its competition. Moves like this only hurt the games industry.

I'd also disagree that it's all good for Activision. This might help them sell more copies of DJ Hero, but it's terrible PR for the company. It makes developers nervous, since Activision clearly doesn't play fair, and it paints them as a money grubbing giant to the public. EA outgrew this childish behavior this generation and here's hoping Activision soon does the same.

[Chimpbot]

I'd also disagree that it's all good for Activision. This might help them sell more copies of DJ Hero, but it's terrible PR for the company. It makes developers nervous, since Activision clearly doesn't play fair, and it paints them as a money grubbing giant to the public. EA outgrew this childish behavior this generation and here's hoping Activision soon does the same.

While I ultimately agree with you, this move will go almost entirely unnoticed by anyone who isn't us. We're the informed minority who know about DJ Hero's sordid past. Most people won't know and won't care.

[Worldcrafter]

While I ultimately agree with you, this move will go almost entirely unnoticed by anyone who isn't us. We're the informed minority who know about DJ Hero's sordid past. Most people won't know and won't care.
I was going to say that, but then I remembered the original article is Yahoo news. So the game and financial geeks will know what's up. ;)

But you're right, the crowd with the major buying power will be none the wiser.