Activision is being sued by Genius Products and Numark Industries over its new rhythm game, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. The suit alleges that Activision has engaged in “intentional interference with contract, breach of contract, conversion and misappropriation of trade secrets” in an attempt to enhance the launch of Activision’s rival DJ Hero title – a well anticipated spin-off from the Guitar Hero franchise. Read on for more on this twisted tale.
In the early part of 2008, Activision trademarked the name DJ Hero, confirming rumours that it would be taking to the decks to continue its huge rhythm game franchise, which includes the massive Guitar Hero series.
Later that year, a relatively new home video company, called Genius Products, announced that it would be publishing a similar DJ-based rhythm game, christened Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. Clearly, Scratch would end up in direct competition with DJ Hero for that particular gaming niche.
It is even planning to offer a special turntable controller for the game, just like DJ Hero, although this one is being designed by Numark, which is widely known for manufacturing DJ equipment.
The document filed yesterday by Genius Products explains that Activision had approached Genius with an offer to acquire Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. The offer was rejected, but – and here’s where it gets very interesting – Activision went on to acquire the Scratch developer, Studio 7, under a Non Disclosure Agreement.
Genius is now accusing Activision of engaging in “attempting to sabotage the release of [its] much anticipated game and prevent it from getting to market prior to the release of DJ Hero.”
How Activision might have done this is not revealed in the legalese, but it sounds like significant development milestones may have been missed. Whether there was a sinister motive behind may be for the courts to decide.
Right now, the future of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ looks in serious doubt, and depending on how the case proceeds, DJ Hero might well be facing a hiccup too.
Out TBA | £TBA | Scratch: The Ultimate DJ (via Joystiq)
