DJ Hero 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

fish in a bottle, the UK-based digital agency, FreeStyleGames development studio and Activision Publishing, Inc (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that millions of virtual DJs have spun, scratched and sampled on a virtual DJ Hero® turntable controller over 8 million times in the exciting, one-of-a-kind, DJ Hero® 2 Mix 2Gether online game.

Prior to the recent launch of the highly anticipated DJ Hero sequel, development studio FreeStyleGames commissioned independent Midlands based digital agency, fish in a bottle to develop a web game to support the retail game.

The brief was simple; to offer players an opportunity to experience a 'lite' version of DJ Hero 2’s game play, ahead of the official launch of DJ Hero 2. The result was DJ Hero 2 Mix 2Gether, an online game that has attracted a staggering 8 million plays since it was launched on 14th October , through Facebook and DJ Hero.com- the official DJ Hero website.

Encompassing DJ Hero 2's all new freestyle game-play modes, the web game allows players to create and share their own mix creations from three of the original mixes from DJ Hero 2, featuring Lady Gaga, deadmau5, Tiësto, RZA, Blakroc and Pharoahe Monch.

Designed to give gamers of all ages the opportunity to experience a taste of the exciting core mechanics DJ Hero 2 has to offer the DJ Hero 2 Mix 2Gether online game can be taken for a spin at: http://www.djhero.com/en-us/try/demo

DJ Hero2 Mix 2Gether allows fans to experience the amazingly fun Freestyle gameplay elements introduced in DJ Hero 2 and put together their own unique mixes which can be then shared with friends via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or email.

Andy Wafer, Head of Digital Platforms for FreeStyleGames commented; "We're thrilled at the success of our first web game and we've really enjoyed working with fish in a bottle on this project. They’ve created a polished DJ Hero experience which represents our console game’s gameplay to great effect and also includes a unique ‘create your own mix’ twist".

Commenting on behalf of fish in a bottle, Managing Director, Justin Eames added;

"With cross fading and scratching being two of the most satisfying aspects of the DJ Hero experience we really wanted to have the user imitating these controls as much as possible.

All in-game visuals are as faithful to the DJ Hero retail game as possible. We wanted the web version of the game to offer an authentic taster of the retail game to whet the player’s appetite and we're proud of what we achieved."

Other aspects developed within the online game include:

Play a Mix

In this mode the player is able to play through a mix – either a mix created by another player or the example mix already including within the web game.

Tutorial - Play

Before playing a mix the player is given the option of playing through an interactive tutorial. The tutorial introduces players to the controls and explains how the game works.

Character and Stage Select

Having either played or skipped the tutorial the player will be able to choose the character they want to play as and the stage they want to play on. There are two available characters and two available stages for players to choose from.

These options add more variety and replayability to the experience as well as exposing the players to a little more of what the retail game has to offer.

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Note to Editors:

About fish in a bottle

fish in a bottle specialise in multi platform digital productions including viral and social games for clients such as Activision, Ubisoft, the BBC, Channel 4 and Nickelodeon. Their games are played by millions of people every month.

Awards include a BAFTA nomination for In the Night Garden (BBC) and recently a Royal Television Society award for Best Game going to Battle of Britain: 303 Squadron (Channel 4).

About FreeStyleGames

FreeStyleGames™ is a groundbreaking game development company with studios in Leamington Spa, London and Brighton. Founded in 2002, we are home to over 110 ambitious and highly talented employees.

The company specialises in original intellectual property, focused on mass-market music-rhythm based gaming. We have a unique and relaxed culture within our studios that encourages our team to enjoy fun & adventurous lifestyles.

FreeStyleGames was acquired in September 2008 by Activision Blizzard and is now a wholly owned part of their independent studio network. The Studio recently released the second installment of its own innovative award winning title, DJ Hero.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com. 

For More Information:                                                                                                                                            Delyth Hughes                                                                                                                                                       FreeStyleGames

                                                                                                                                07799 897 169

                                                                                                                                delyth.hughes@freestylegames.com