Def Jam Recordings is teasing a return to the video game industry. After teaming up with Electronic Arts for a series of fighting games in the 2000s, the record label has suggested it’s ready to step back into the ring.
“The streets saying we need a new Def Jam game,” the company declared via Twitter.
It added, “Once our twitter hits 1M, we have a special announcement for y’all !”
Def Jam has around 991,500 followers on Twitter as of Monday night (August 10), so an update isn’t imminent. But the label’s tweet caught the attention of video game developer Virtual Basement as fans started to get their hopes up for a fight game comeback.
“Our DM’s are open and we’re ready when you guys are,” Virtual Basement told Def Jam.
Def Jam’s venture into video games started with 2003’s Def Jam Vendetta, which featured a professional wrestling style and real-life characters signed to the label at the time. DMX, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Joe Budden, Ludacris, Redman and Scarface were among the artists appearing in the critically acclaimed game.
A sequel, Def Jam: Fight For NY, was released by Electronic Arts in 2004 and also garnered critical acclaim. The second game expanded the fighting styles and revamped the roster with Snoop Dogg and Lil Kim as notable additions.
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Def Jam: Icon, the last game licensed by the label, arrived in 2007 but wasn’t well-received.
Unlike the first two, it wasn’t developed by AKI Corporation (a company best known for its work on WWF and WCW’s wrestling games). Since then, the series has been on the sidelines despite occasional teases on social media.
Revisit some of the gameplay from the Def Jam series below.
Yessir!!!
Would love to smack Logic or Bieber around
Back when the original game was released def jam still had a decent roster. Now they have Bieber, Kanye, Big Sean and Logic. GTFOH. What we going to see Kanye fighting young thug while both wearing skirts.
LMFAO FACTS
They got X & LL back
Imagine playing as a clown tekashi 69, skirt wearing young thug or creampuff drake. No one will take the game seriously.
Yoooo you working with def jam because you probably right on all that
What’s wrong with Logic??? He’s slept on, haters wouldn’t understand his way of thinking/being. He said it best, he doesn’t fuck with anybody.
Icon was trash
Should have charcters from east,west and down south. Unlockable Biggie and Pac characters. What fighting game doesn’t have a “fat” over sized fighter. Its Def Jam tho…
Is should be exactly like fight for New York except different characters arena venues more weapons to choose from a bigger roaster and artist actors celebrities not just rappers actors to same exact graphics as fight for New York and there should be more bosses like 4 to 7 north vs south and east vs west then there should bring the blazing back same exact from fight for new York and there should be 30 to 50 rappers and bring dmx back
Yes dmx and king von 2 pac biggie
And more fighting styles to choose from including the ones that were there in the first place then there should be bonus battles like fighting in helicopters subways bars clubs rings outside stadiums and events beaches and the woods