Activision has just announced it has halted development on the open-world, action title True Crime: Hong Kong and a new game in the Guitar Hero franchise.

According to the release, Activision has decided to disband its Guitar Hero-specific business unit and cancel development on a Guitar Hero title slated for release later this year "due to continued declines in the music genre." Read more »

DJ Hero 2 has been patched on the PS3 and Xbox 360 to enable backwards compatibility with DLC from the original game, according to the game's official Twitter account.

Sadly, it doesn't appear that we'll be seeing an import for the original DJ Hero's soundtrack, most likely due to licensing nightmares for the mixes. It's a shame, because DJ Hero had an amazing soundtrack and I'd love to play those songs again in the sequel's framework. Read more »

If you're looking to scratch some new use out of your DJ Hero turntables, a new DLC pack is landing on July 4. The three-track DJ Hero "Dance Party Mix" Pack (listed below) is priced at 640MS Points and $7.99 on the Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. The tracks are also available as single downloads on the Wii for 300 Wii Points each.

DJ Hero "Dance Party Mix" Pack Read more »

Finally, Darude's "Sandstorm" will be in Activision's DJ Hero when the new downloadable content goes on sale beginning on April 29. The Domination Mix Pack will sell for $7.99 (PS3) and 640 Microsoft Points (Xbox 360). Wii owners will have to purchase each track individually for 300 Wii Points each.

The tracks are:

DJ Hero Domination Mix Pack Read more »

Fans of Activision's music game DJ Hero that want to add another turntable to the mix can now purchase them at retailers without having to purchase the full bundle containing a copy of the game.

A new turntable will run you a suggested $59.99. The first 100,000 standalone turntables sold will include a limited-edition poster (left) from Shepard Fairey depicting the various DJs in the game. Read more »

No doubt buoyed by its $100-plus standard edition and $200 "Renegade Edition," DJ Hero has been declared the highest-grossing new intellectual property of 2009.

FreeStyleGames' rhythm game grossed more than any other new property in Europe and North America, according to data from research firm The NPD Group. The fastest-selling new IP of 2009 was Gearbox's shooter RPG Borderlands, publisher Take Two has declared, having sold "over 2 million units worldwide" in only seven weeks. Read more »

A wealth of rhythm game news emerged out of Activision today, as the publisher detailed the first downloadable track packs coming to the just-released DJ Hero along with a rundown of the various tunes hitting Guitar Hero 5 across the next month.

Guitar Hero 5 Downloadable Content Read more »

What better way to promote DJ Hero than a video remix featuring clips of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash, DJ AM and others talking about the peripheral-packing video game? "It's got a turntable and it's got a fader," explains Flash. "Do do. E-e-e-e-eh."

Coming to PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, DJ Hero hits October 27.

Upon booting DJ Hero, you'll see this epic tale of those that live inside a giant record player and the tyranny of DJ Shadow. What it actually has to do with FreeStyle's music game, well, I'm not quite sure, but it's a neat little video nonetheless.

Due October 27 with 93 exclusive mixes and turntable controller in tow, the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii editions of DJ Hero will be $120, with a gold-trimmed Renegade Edition selling for $200. A PlayStation 2 version arrives the same day at $100. Read more »

Publisher Activision has unveiled the full set list for FreeStyleGames's turntabling rhtyhm game DJ Hero--a full 93 exclusive mixes from "some of the greatest DJs of all time."

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Among the 93 "unique never-before-released mixes" contained within DJ Hero will be eleven offerings from masked electronic duo Daft Punk. And since reading about it is never the same as actually hearing it, publisher Activision has issued a new trailer:

Following the unexpected passing of musician and DJ Hero collaborator Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein over the weekend, publisher Activision has told Joystiq that it hopes "his work on the game will be a fitting tribute to his creative spirit and musical talent."

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of DJ AM, who was a tremendous talent, a trusted partner and friend to DJ Hero," continued the statement from Activision VP Tim Riley. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family." Read more »

FreeStyle Games' musical peripheral-spinning effort DJ Hero will arrive at North American retailers on October 27 and elsewhere in "late October," publisher and studio owner Activision has confirmed with Joystiq.

The company has yet to provide an official price point for the game and its turntable controller, though various retailers show the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii editions at $120 with a PlayStation 2 version at $100. A special bonus-filled "Renegade Edition" will also be available upon release, with retailers listing the stand-packing SKU at $200.

Activision has released the first images of DJ Hero's 'Renegade Edition,' which packs a posh turntable with gold fixings and a hardshell carry case that converts to a DJ stand.

A 2-CD pack from pop music mavericks Eminem and Jay-Z featuring unreleased tracks is also included in the Renegade Edition of FreeStyleGames' turntabling rhythm game. Read more »

Following up on those screenshots from earlier today, the first trailer and gameplay clips from FreeStyleGames' turntable-twisting rhythm game DJ Hero have arrived.

Coming to PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii in October, the game will offer more than 80 "never-before-heard mixes" for use with the turntable controller, some of which can also be played with a guitar controller, alongside the requisite virtual angel wings. Read more »