Xbox 360 PS3

Eletronic Arts released these 4 first images of Def Jam: Icon, the first next-gen episode of this fighting game series.


Official announcement:

EA ANNOUNCES DEF JAM: ICON FOR PLAYSTATION 3 AND XBOX 360 EA Chicago, the Creator of the Acclaimed EA SPORTS Fight Night Franchise, Partners with Def Jam Interactive to Redefine Hip-hop, Music and Fighting Games

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – October 18, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), in partnership with Def Jam Interactive, announced today that DEF JAM: ICON™ will be released for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system in March 2007 in North America and Europe. Infusing hip-hop music, culture and lifestyle into the gameplay, EA Chicago and urban lifestyle powerhouse Def Jam Interactive, continue to push the boundaries of game development bringing unique and innovative content to the next generation of gaming.

“Music is the cornerstone of hip-hop culture so we wanted to incorporate music and rhythm into the actual gameplay mechanics,” said Kudo Tsunoda, executive producer and General Manager of EA Chicago. “In DEF JAM: ICON, we are changing the way fighting games are played! We are completely innovating the role of the environments in the games, moving from the typical lifeless arenas the hip-hop celebrities are fighting in to environments that play an instrumental part in the fight where they will react to the music and interact with both characters like a third fighter.”

EA Chicago is delivering star-stunning action and bone breaking beats as players live out the life of a hip hop mogul, going from rags to riches. Incorporating hip-hop culture into every aspect of the game, DEF JAM: ICON will deliver the intensity of a no-holds-barred street fight but with style and rhythm. Music will effect how players fight in each venue and environmental interactions and hazards will become a key strategy to staying alive.

EA Chicago’s unique fighting gameplay controls introduce a new way for gamers to fight as they assume the role of top celebrity characters such as Ludacris, T.I. and Big Boi. Innovative controls give better feedback to players so they feel like they’re actually throwing the combat moves. Gamers can now fight with the style and flash of the superstar personalities.

“The Def Jam Interactive – EA relationship has expanded into a new frontier with EA Chicago’s breakthrough technology. We have worked very closely with the team to ensure that authentic hip-hop culture and lifestyle permeates through every part of the product. DEF JAM: ICON will guarantee the ultimate combination of a real hip-hop experience and revolutionary fighting gameplay,” said Lauren Wirtzer, VP Marketing, Def Jam Enterprises.

DEF JAM: ICON is scheduled to ship in March 2007 for the PLAYSTATION®3 system and Xbox 360™. DEF JAM: ICON has not yet been rated by PEGI or the USK.

  • Def Jam: Icon images -
  • Def Jam: Icon images -
  • Def Jam: Icon images -
  • Def Jam: Icon images -
Bobby7777
Bobby7777
Commented on 2006-10-18 22:51:54
Dont you think that moving buildings are a bit weird though? i mean, there has to be a set of given rules when making a game like this for most big money making companies/development teams... i would say that dancing buildings in a game like this is not one of those rules. :)

I love innovation, but judging on what i have seen so far, the game would be better off without... i mean, i could get sea sick while playing a fighting game!
In reply to
andreicecold
andreicecold
Commented on 2006-10-18 22:56:28
most people who have seen this game in action have said the area jumping creates a new element...and its good
In reply to
Jato
Jato
Commented on 2006-10-18 23:05:15
Def Jam FFNY was fun as hell, I really enjoyed it, despite the overdose of self-hyping, "look-how-cool-I-am-in-musicvideo's-and-now-I'm-also-equally-cool-in-videogames-while-in-real life-I'm-about-as-cool-as-a-bottled fart gangsters...

Infact, this is the only fighting game I enjoyed playing for years, looking forwar to the next one...
In reply to
DrZeus
DrZeus
Commented on 2006-10-18 23:09:00
What happened to the crowds surrounding the fighters, that was one of the best parts!!
In reply to
onimonkii
onimonkii
Commented on 2006-10-18 23:15:03
I thought FFNY was going to be stupid because it changed from wrestling to street fighting, but it actually turned out ot be one of my most played games on xbox.

I'm glad they're doing something with the background, all the areas before were so boring, if they were just fighting on a black screen it would be about the same. Making it move with the music is a good way to make it seem more alive.

I just hope they up the roster of rappers, I want Rick Ross vs Freeway in a Beard Brawl.
In reply to
JimmySunderland
JimmySunderland
Commented on 2006-10-18 23:23:14
I saw a preview of this game in one of the US PlayStation mags (PSM if I remember correctly). Sounds intriguing... buildings that bounce in sync with the music, cityscape in the background as a damage meter....
In reply to
synce
synce
Commented on 2006-10-19 00:35:59
The environments bounce along to the music? Now that's next gen! It sounds totally awesome too. Can't wait to see the technology in motion
In reply to
Splicer261
Splicer261
Commented on 2006-10-19 01:17:43
Loved def jam 2 for the ps2..didn't think i would, but i loved it.

looking forward to this game
In reply to
omegaheat
omegaheat
Commented on 2006-10-19 02:16:01
Oh, so those curvy graffitti like buildings in the background are dancing to the tunes huh? That is different. I don't know how much it will have to do with gameplay, but you have to admit that it's funky in a good way. The graphics share the same visuals as the upcoming NBA Street game. In some shots the car looks as if it's been cut by a light sabre. I guess that's the background dancing though.
In reply to
Eddy186
Eddy186
Commented on 2006-10-19 03:41:08
Just what we need, more black people fighting
In reply to
phillymantis
phillymantis
Commented on 2006-10-19 04:29:20 In reply to Eddy186
cmon eddy it aint all black dudes just def jam artists...there were white cats in FIGHT FOR NY... besides i love this game man....probably the only EA title i like which goes to show

EA sports in particular is the shit member of the group not the other guys
In reply to
cchance
cchance
Commented on 2006-10-19 05:24:42
this dare i say it actually looks good lol
In reply to
cchance
cchance
Commented on 2006-10-19 05:32:50
SOMETHING UPSETS ME, can someone explain why in every game thats not a 360 exclusive when they say what platforms its for, its always "PLAYSTATION 3 and xbox360" why is it never Xbox360 first? Seems a bit unjust

BTW: This game really does put a new spin on the term chop shop doesnt it for those cars LOL
In reply to
toelessfoot
toelessfoot
Commented on 2006-10-19 06:59:45
Not to burst your collective bubbles but the first two def jam games were good only because AKI made them, now it's EA chicago and thus it will be terrible.
In reply to
Xing
Xing
Commented on 2006-10-19 08:48:48
In reply to
sdry
sdry
Commented on 2006-10-19 11:15:13
previous def jam was the best fighting game on old xbox. Brutal shit :D great news!

edit: was wondering those buildings too. First I thought there has been earthquake what has fucked up the surroundings. But wtf is wrong whit that sliced car? Deffinetly sounds like stupid innovation, but I guess surroundings dont matter. Previous DJ got superior gameplay where allmost everything in surroundings could be used as wapon. 2 vs 2 matches were truly great fun to humiliate enemies whit your friend doing nasty moves together. Hopefully there is decent LIVE support this time so I can go and bash stupid kiddies trough jukebox head first :)
In reply to
DJmizuhara - DJmizuhara-Man
DJmizuhara
Commented on 2006-10-19 11:26:34
Yeah this games sounds very interesting, lets hope they can pull it off.
In reply to
Sheps
Sheps
Commented on 2006-10-19 17:22:01 In reply to Eddy186
Posted by Eddy186
Just what we need, more black people fighting
That was the most retarded post i've ever seen on these forums, next time keep your stupid comments to yourself.
In reply to
Kownage
Kownage
Commented on 2006-10-19 19:00:49
The demonstration was really slow, but it looked so friggin great. I liek.
In reply to
SimonM7 - The other mod's bitch
SimonM7
Commented on 2006-10-20 15:06:25
It's actually amazingly ironic how I generally don't root for the realistic team - games wise - yet they've managed to target the one game I do enjoy for its viceral, brutal and realistic feel to deploy their snazzy off-beat musical ideas. Ho well. :)
In reply to
Trup1aya4rea1
Trup1aya4rea1
Commented on 2006-10-20 20:52:52
i'm like rap/hiphop but that's not the point. this game would be outstanding even if the characters were white pop stars. the rapper themes doesn't lower the quality or playability of the game. there presence fits in perfectly with the over-the-top violent and gritty nature of the fights however. Sure they could have changed the title and thrown in a bunch of generic characters and had an equally brilliant game, but it's no secret that the liscence helps sales within the target audience. Don't be closed minded. play the game then judge it.

ps the whole building moving thing could be wierd, but we'll see...
In reply to
JFetch
JFetch
Commented on 2006-10-21 07:24:03
Thanks for the link Xing. The game looks really good, and innovative.
In reply to
Jato
Jato
Commented on 2006-10-21 23:11:46
I've seen the demo presentation of this game, and I can no other conclude that they are killing this game!

"You can use the DJ turntable control button to scratch, and trigger the beat that will set of an explosion"...?!
That makes NO sense at all, that's just pathetic!
They are so trying to make it "cool", it's completely missing it's goal...

Buildings moving to the beat, "cool" DJ-scratches, no more grappling and stuff like that?

What a waste..!
In reply to
SimonM7 - The other mod's bitch
SimonM7
Commented on 2006-10-22 12:22:36 In reply to Jato
I never thought I'd say this, but I agree. I mean I'm all for innovation! It's like.. A musical fighter where beats and rythm are important and the background reacts sort of like Tina's DOA4 ending would be really, really cool. But.. why force that thinking on Def Jam whose main qualities was its brutal and dynamic combat? I don't think anyone liked that game because of the rappers, and they won't like it more because they shoved MTV imagery down its throat. This is killing the game more than On Tour killed SSX. :(
In reply to
unfettered
unfettered
Commented on 2006-10-22 12:34:19
The video looks very impressive. I am not sure if I like the idea of them overhauling the fight system, but as long as the finished result is just as good (or better) as the previous games, they can make whatever changes they please to the fight system.

As it stands, I only have three requirements for Icons: it has to be fun, it has to feature online play via Live and they have to allow the use of custom soundtracks. If they succeed on all those fronts, then you know where you can find me next March (picking up at least two EA games Burnout 5 and DJ: Icons).
In reply to
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