MONEY POWER RESPECT

"The New King of the Ring"

• PlayStation 2 Magazine (PSM)

Cinematic Story Mode

Over 40 Street Brawlers

Battle to the Top with Over 1500 Moves

The Hottest Def Jam Artists and Music

Source:

Back of Case - PlayStation 2

**EA AND DEF JAM ANNOUNCE THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RELEASE
OF

DEF JAM VENDETTA**

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — April 1, 2003 — Enter the world of underground fight clubs through the release of Def Jam VENDETTA’ for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCube’. Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), the world’s leading independent video game publisher, along with Def Jam, the undisputed powerhouse of urban music and lifestyle, are delivering players a unique interactive entertainment experience that features a roster of over 40 characters including 12 playable Def Jam artists: DMX, Method Man, Redman, Ludacris, Capone, N.O.R.E., Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Joe Budden, Keith Murray, WC and DJ Funkmaster Flex. Additionally, the game introduces Def Jam songstress Christina Milian as the temptress Angel.

Def Jam VENDETTA brings the exciting and intense world of urban street fighting to life while staying true to the EA SPORTS BIG’ brand reputation with a variety of more than 1,500 hyper-realistic moves – including dozens of signature specials and taunts - that are dynamic with realistic finesse and style. Set in a fictional NY-themed underground circuit, the game features 12 stunning 3-D urban venues each filled with animated crowds, hot beats and original music. Many of the venues are themed after a Def Jam artist boss such as DMXs venue, “The Junkyard” which is filled with the resonance of his signature barking pit bulls while Ludacris’ venue, “Club Luda” stays true to Luda's southern hospitality in his exclusive gentlemen's club.

Players must take on a series of opponents, including the Def Jam bosses, in order to unlock new characters and advance to the next venue. Helping to support the intense action is an original storyline scripted exclusively for the game. In addition to the main “Story” mode, there are additional key features including: “Survival”, “Battle” and “Tutorial” modes as well as an array of upgradeable character options and “Girlfriend Galleries” where players can unlock real-life pictorials of the CG females found in the game. More over, music fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the game’s 18 tracks from the featured artists as well as from the Def Jam library -- both new/exclusive and archived favorites.

Def Jam VENDETTA is published and distributed by EA under the EA SPORTS BIG brand. The development force is comprised of pedigree talent from AKI Corporation, seasoned Japan-based game developer, with creative production credits from EA Canada and Def Jam. The game is rated “T” (Teen) by the ESRB and carries a MSRP of $49.95. More information is available on the product website at www.defjamvendetta.com.

About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. EA markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS’, EA GAMES’, EA SPORTS BIG’ and EA.COM. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

About The Island Def Jam Music Group The Island Def Jam Music Group is home to a multi-cultural and diverse family of artists and has fast become one of the most successful labels in the industry. It is comprised of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and Def Soul, and is in partnerships with American Recordings, Lost Highway Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Murder Inc, Bloodline Records, Java Records, Roadrunner Records and MonarC Music. The roster boasts an array of talented artists including Jay-Z, Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Ludacris, Ashanti, Ryan Adams, Nickelback, Musiq, Slipknot, American Hi Fi, Method Man, Hoobastank, Ja Rule, Sum 41, Slayer, Kelly Price, Saliva and DMX.

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Source:

Press Release

You ready to get ya’ hands dirty?

Throw on your flyest gear, round up your crew and take it to the streets - the world of hip-hop has hit the ring. Def Jam VENDETTA’ by EA BIG’ invites you to the underground circuit of hardcore fight clubs. Get your props, as the master of hip-hop hook up with the urban local legends and battle for ultimate supremacy.

If you think you've got what it takes, Def Jam VENDETTA challenges you to brawl your way up the ranks to be the ultimate fighter. The game will feature an original storyline as players are challenged to test their skills through an arcade-style, underground fight club circuit as they attempt to totally crush their opponents. With each win the player will gain more money, more power and of course… more respect.

And it won't just be about winning. After all, it's about making a rep for yourself, and humiliating your opponent with killer moves. Def Jam VENDETTA will feature over 1,500 varying moves, including dozens of signature special finishing moves and trash-talkin' taunts.

Def Jam VENDETTA marks the first interactive entertainment title from EA and Def Jam Records, and will fully integrate a powerhouse roster of Def Jam artists into the storyline, including new hit songs from the artists, as well as classic Def Jam tracks. Each artist has contributed one original introduction and victory sequence incorporating their own voice and motion. Artists participating in the game include DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, NORE, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Capone, Keith Murray and WC. The game also features Def Jam songstress Christina Milian and the world famous DJ Funkmaster Flex.

FEATURES - Unique, original storyline that compliments gameplay action - the plot thickens through the circuit.

• Over 45 characters, including 12 Def Jam artists: DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, NORE, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Capone, Keith Murray and WC. Also featuring Christina Milian and Funkmaster Flex.

• More than 10 highly detailed underground worlds, built straight from the mean streets: places like DMX's Junkyard and Scarface's Speakeasy.

• Continuous play with over 1,500 unique moves including a variety of fighting techniques (reverse kicks, punches, martial arts swings, choke holds, elbow blocks, knee bunts, etc.) and hyper realistic EA SPORTS BIG-style moves that are dynamic with realistic finesse and style.

• Dozens of signature special moves and player taunts. All moves referenced directly from each Def Jam artist.

• Unique momentum and health system that will change based on the player status (i.e. players doing well will "feel" their strength increase / evolve into a blazin' special move; and players that are getting beat will see their health impact their moves, eventually becoming slower and weaker).

• One original intro/victory sequence per Def Jam artist.

• The hottest beats from the streets: new hit songs from Def Jam Records.

• Three game modes: Battle, Story and Survival.

• Four match types: Single, Tag Team, Free For All and Handicap.

• Sound design by DaneTracks (The Matrix, 8 Mile).

Source:

Electronic Arts UK website - PlayStation 2/Xbox

Bist du bereit, dir die Hände schmutzig zu machen? Dann zieh dir deine coolsten Klamotten an, ruf deine Kumpels zusammen und ab geht’s auf die Straße – die Welt des Hip-Hops betritt den Ring. Def Jam Vendetta von EA SPORTS BIG’ lädt dich ein in den Kreis der „Hardcore-Fight-Clubs“. Schnapp dir deine Requisiten, trete als Meister des Hip-Hops gegen die Legenden der Stadt an und gewinne die absolute Oberhand.

Wenn du glaubst, dass du das Zeug dazu hast, dann fordert dich Def Jam Vendetta jetzt auf, zu kämpfen und dir den Platz des ultimativen Kämpfers zu sichern. Der Spieler kämpft sich von Runde zu Runde nach oben und versucht dabei, seine Gegner so fest wie möglich in den Schwitzkasten zu nehmen. Mit jedem Sieg verdient sich der Spieler zusätzliche Requisiten, die ihm wiederum zu mehr Geld, mehr Kraft und natürlich zu mehr Respekt verhelfen.

Es geht aber nicht nur um den Sieg allein. Es geht auch darum deinen eigenen Kampfstil zu entwickeln und deinen Gegner mit deinen fantastischen Bewegungen in die Knie zu zwingen. Def Jam Vendetta bietet mehr als 1.500 Techniken und verschiedene Schläge beinhalten.

Die Action wird in mindestens 10 verschiedenen Hip-Hop-Kampfarenen stattfinden, die mit jubelnden Fans gefüllt sein werden. Außerdem bietet dieses Spiel mehrere Features, die für eine freche und spannende Mischung im Spielverlauf sorgen.

Im Story-Modus begegnet der Spieler in jeder Runde einer Auswahl von unterschiedlichen Charakteren – Freunden und auch Feinden. Die Story erreicht ihren Höhepunkt beim ultimativen Showdown, bei dem der Spieler gegen seinen ärgsten Feind, den mächtigen D-Mob, antritt.

Im Schaukampf-Modus kann der Spieler seine Fähigkeiten und seine Entschlossenheit testen. Im Überlebens-Modus wählt er einen Charakter zum Spießruten laufen aus, ein Schicksal, das jeden Neuling in diesem Modus trifft.

In Def Jam Vendetta wird es außerdem vier Match-Arten geben: einschließlich dem Einzel-Match, indem 1-zu-1 gegen den Computer oder einen Freund gespielt wird; Tag Team-Match, indem der Spieler mit einem Partner gegen ein anderes 2-Mann-Team antritt; in der Match-Art Frei-für-Alle, können bis zu vier Spieler einfach in den Ring springen und am Kampf teilnehmen - hier kennt man keine Gnade; und Handicap-Match, hier tritt der Spieler gegen zwei Gegner gleichzeitig an.

Def Jam Vendetta ist der erste interaktive Unterhaltungs-Titel von EA und Def Jam Records. Eine Reihe von Künstlergruppen wird in die Storyline integriert, einschließlich ihrer neuesten Hits sowie die klassischen Def Jam-Tracks. Jeder Künstler hat mit seiner eigenen Stimme und seinen eigenen Bewegungen zu zwei Original-Sequenzen beigetragen, u.a. dabei sind DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, NORE, Redman, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Capone, Keith Murray and WC. Außerdem kann das Spiel mit dem berühmten DJ Funkmaster Flex aufwarten.

Mit den Entwicklern AKI Corporation und EA Canada dem Team, das auch für NBA STREET verantwortlich ist, führt Def Jam Vendetta zwei ausgezeichnete Entwicklungsteams zusammen und wird dabei noch unterstützt durch das kreativste Hip-Hop-Studio, das es je gab, nämlich Def Jam Records.

Features: - Einzigartige Storyline, die die Gameplay-Action unterstreicht – die Handlung wird von Runde zu Runde fortgesetzt. - Mehr als 45 Charaktere, einschließlich 12 Def Jam-Künstler: DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, NORE, Redman, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Capone, Keith Murray, Dub C und DJ Funkmaster Flex. - Mehr als 10 Hip-Hop-Kampfarenen: z.B. DMX’s Junkyard und Scarface’s Speakeasy. - Fortlaufendes Spiel mit mehr als 1.500 einzigartigen Bewegungen, einschließlich einer Vielzahl von Kampftechniken (Rückwärts-Kicks, Punches, Kampfkunst-Schläge, Würgegriffe, Ellbogenschläge, Kniestöße, etc.) und realistische Bewegungen im EA SPORTS BIG-Style. - Dutzende von nachempfundenen Spezial-Bewegungen und Spieler-Beleidigungen. Alle Bewegungen beziehen sich direkt auf einen Def Jam-Künstler. - Einzigartige Bewegungsenergie und ein Gesundheits-System, das sich je nach Status des Spielers verändert (z.B. Spieler, die sich gut fühlen, werden “spüren”, wie ihre Kräfte zunehmen / und sich in Spezial-Bewegungen entladen; und ein Spieler, der geschlagen wird, sieht, wie seine Gesundheit seine Bewegungen beeinträchtigt, wie er z.B. langsamer oder schwächer wird). - Zwei Spiel/Sieg-Sequenzen von jedem Def Jam-Künstler. - Die heißesten Beats von der Straße: neue Hits von Def Jam Records. - Drei Spielmodi: Kampf, Story und Überleben. - Vier Match-Arten: Einzel-, Tag Team-, Frei-für-Alle- und Handicap-Match. - Sound von DaneTracks (The Matrix).

Source:

Electronic Arts Germany website - PlayStation 2/GameCube

EA Big continues to combine sports entertainment with street savvy grooves in its latest title, Def Jam Vendetta.

Forget what you've seen on Thursday night Smackdown. Def Jam Vendetta drags you into New York's underworld fight scene. As a former circuit fighter, you have been kicked out of the organization by the kingpin known only as D-Mob. Oh, and he's stolen your girlfriend too.

Your buddy Manny, having gotten in over his head, has begged you to fill in while he recovers from "work injuries." Make a name for yourself by fighting over 40 other wrestlers through the extensive story mode.

Hey, If You Can't Beat 'Em

EA had limited success with wrestling titles on the N64, in large part because talented developers at Aki were working for a rival publisher.

Much like the allegiance swapping found in most pro-wrestling storylines, Aki has joined forces with EA Big to craft what could be its greatest wrestling game yet. The classic Aki grappling system is in place, infused with EA Big's high-paced action style.

All the Right Moves

Fighters can perform various kick and punch combos to open up an opponent's defense. The A Button allows you to attempt a grapple. A quick tap of the button allows for a weak attack while holding the button risks a stronger attack, but one that leaves you vulnerable to a counter move.

A successful grapple opens up a new set of offensive options. You can throw your opponent into the ropes or the corner, and then follow with a devastating attack. Depending on which direction you select, you can pull off hundreds of different wrestling moves such as pile drivers, body slams, leg sweeps and submission holds.

Similar to their popular NBA Street series, EA Big has added a special meter for each player. By performing successful moves, combos or taunts, your character will fill his Blazin' meter. Once your meter goes ballistic, your character can pull off a signature move with devastating results.

A fine-tuned counter system adds depth. Players can counter just about any punch, kick or grapple with a properly timed push of a button.

Hip Hop & Hard Hits

Thanks to the Def Jam license, you'll eventually go toe-to-toe with 12 of hop hop's top recording artists, including DMX, Redman, Method Man, Ludacris and more. Not only do the artists lend their voices and likenesses, but they have also contributed some of their R&B hits to the soundtrack.

There's nothing quite like getting tag-teamed by Method Man and Redman to the tune of one of their hit singles. Many an artist has provided valuable input as to venues and his likeness's fighting styles.

Everybody Was Def Jam Fightin'

The story mode is great, but when it comes down to it, it's all about the fighting. Thankfully, players can jump right in and brawl without having to sit through needless (albeit entertaining) exposition.

In the handy Exhibition Mode, players can compete in customizable Single, Tag Team, Free-4-All and Handicap matches. If you think you're man enough, see how long you can last in Survival mode.

Those four controller ports on the front of your Nintendo GameCube aren't just for looks. Grab a few friends for heated four-player simultaneous play. Just don't forget who your teammate is.

While the bizarre concept of hip-hop artists throwing down will intrigue many, most gamers will stay for the finely tuned gameplay. Show your love for EA's Def Jam Vendetta for your Nintendo GameCube.

Source:

www.nintendo.com

Gritty graphics, brutal fighting, fresh features and a dope soundtrack - Def Jam Vendetta is a rhythmical ruckus of the highest order

The hip-hop world is a harsh place. These days it's not enough to have lyrical dexterity, big record deals, thousands of fans and mountains of cash - if you want to earn respect you're going to have to fight for it. In underground venues across the US, top Def Jam stars mix it up with down 'n' dirty brawlers in an attempt to prove that they're at the top of their game for a reason. Combining the finest elements of pro wrestling and beat 'em up titles, Def Jam Vendetta challenges you to test your might against hip-hop heavyweights such as Method Man, Ludacris, DMX, Ghostface Killah and Keith Murray. They may lead glamorous lifestyles in the public eye, but these rhyme fiends prefer to keep their brawls strictly low-key, so expect to grapple in venues that are a far cry from huge concert arenas, such as private clubs and warehouses. Back all of this highly illegal, no-holds barred action up with a soundtrack that features some of Def Jam's finest artists and you have yourself the greatest - and most extreme - hip-hop-influenced PS2 game yet.

As the story goes, you've been out of the New York fight circuit ever since main man D-Mob showed you who was boss three years ago. Trouble is, your good friend Manny has accumulated a few too many debts at D-Mob's expense and now, after a busted limb renders him incapable of brawling, he needs your help to raise the cash. Choosing from four fictional scrappers coming out of retirement, you must climb the Def Jam ladder, taking on all-comers in order to earn dollars, boost your abilities and unlock dozens of new characters. Show some in-ring prowess and you'll also attract interest from several fly honeys who are more than willing to catfight for your affections.

Any fighter you defeat in Story will be added to the roster of brawlers in the other standard play modes - Single, Tag Team, Free-4-All (four players, last man standing wins) and Handicap (one-on-two or three battle) - but success don't come easy. You can attempt to use the traditional pinfall and submission method, but if you really want to keep a good rapper down and out for the count, make use of your fighter's spectacularly painful Blazin' techniques for that satisfying KO victory.

Def Jam Vendetta is all about capturing the essence of hip-hop culture. OK, it may not be totally realistic; we doubt that the likes of Redman and Capone enjoy kicking lumps out of each other between albums, but in terms of spirit and attitude it's everything that the Def Jam label and its artists are all about. Gritty graphics, brutal fighting, fresh features and a dope soundtrack - it's all you could ever need to cause a rhythmical ruckus of the highest order. To paraphrase the words of Method Man, Public Enemy and Redman, it's time to bring the pain, fight the power and smash sumthin'. Word.

• Fight as and against famous MCs and DJs, including Ludacris, DMX, Funkmaster Flex and Method Man
• Features classic tracks from many Def Jam artists
• Unique fighting system combines pro wrestling with beat 'em up-style brawling
• Over 1,500 moves

Source:

uk.playstation.com