Activision Decides The DJ AM Show Must Go On
Activision has created a cottage industry out of bringing no-longer-with-us rock stars back to life for their video games. That's not what they had in mind when they brought in DJ AM to mix some tracks and do marketing videos for their DJ Hero franchise. But with the turntable artist's recent untimely death, the game maker is thrust into the uncomfortable position of looking like they are exploiting his memory.
But have no fear, the Activision marketing department has the answer! Just turn the game's release and all of DJ AM's mixes and videos in a trubute:
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of DJ AM, who was a tremendous talent, a trusted partner and friend to DJ Hero. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. AM was instrumental in the making of DJ Hero and we hope that his work on the game will be a fitting tribute to his creative spirit and musical talent."
Activision is trying to get return on their investment, but is it in good taste? My gut says it's not. Should they have handled the situation differently? I think so, but I admit that I don't have a clear answer how.
What do you think?
DJ AM Activision promo video after the jump.
No, it’s not exploitative. It would be wrong if his work on the project would have to be discarded to pander to such a cynical brand of political correctness.
Did they re-shoot Dark Knight with a new actor when Heath Ledger died? No, in fact it would have been an insult if they had.
This reminds me of a story my mother once told me about one of her friends whose husband had died suddenly. Not long after the event they were at a party and one of them mentioned the dead husband when recalling a story. Suddenly it was an akward moment as everyone realised they were talking about the dead husband in the presence of his widow and they weren’t sure if this would upset her.
But she said to everyone (I’m paraphrasing here) “No, no, don’t be awkward, I want you to talk and laugh about him just like you did when he was alive. The worst thing is when people avoid talkig about him because then it’s like he never existed”.
I agree with Sam. I don’t think that they should just get rid of all the work he did (thus not allowing us to ever hear it). I don’t think that’s what AM would want.
who cares.. DJ AM was a no talent hack anyway’s. good ridens.