Music Mashup Game Dropmix Debuts

Anyone Can Be A Mixer

HASBRO, INC. and video game developer HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS have teamed to create DROPMIX, a music-mixing game that uses cutting-edge technology to empower players to create their own mixes of hit songs by playing cards on a game board connected to a mobile app. The game is now on sale online and at major retailers.

DROPMIX blends physical and digital play to enable gamers to combine a wide array of hit songs. When a DROPMIX Card is placed on a Mix Slot, the DROPMIX Board immediately starts playing the corresponding part of the song (bass, beat, loop or vocals) noted on the card. The board reads up to five DROPMIX Cards at time, using NFC chip-enabled cards, and the proprietary software in the app seamlessly combines the music within each card to create a unique mix.

“We are one step closer to fans being able to get their hands on the DROPMIX game and begin to create their own mind-blowing music mixes with their friends,” HASBRO BRANDS SVP SAMANTHA LOMOW said. “Featuring some of the biggest hits from a variety of genres, the DROPMIX game offers a first-of-its kind music gaming experience that we can’t wait for fans to experience.”

DROPMIX features three gameplay modes - a solo play "Freestyle" mode, a team-based "Party" mode and a "Clash" mode where the player essentially plays against the computer.

Among the 60 songs available to be used in mixes:

• THE WEEKND – “Can’t Feel My Face”
• BRUNO MARS  - “24K Magic”
• IMAGINE DRAGONS – “Radioactive"
• BLINK-182 - “All The Small Things”
• CARLY RAE JEPSEN  - “Call Me Maybe”
• PANIC! AT THE DISCO - “Emperor’s New Clothes”
• DOLLY PARTON - “Jolene”
• DISTURBED – “Down with the Sickness”
• MGMT – “Kids”
• SKRILLEX – “Bangarang (f/SIRAH)”
• OUTKAST - “Ms. Jackson”
• VAMPIRE WEEKEND - “A-Punk”

For more information, click here.

Review: Mixing Was Never Easier ... And Still Sounded Good

There have been a bevy of videogames for music fans and fledgling musicians, such as DJ HERO, GUITAR HERO, ROCK BAND and AUDIOSURF. Enter DROPMIX, a part-mobile, part-stationary game from HASBRO and HARMONIX that allows individuals to essentially create music through placing playing cards on a board connected to a phone or tablet’s Bluetooth. It's from the makers of GUITAR HERO, and they’re ready to once again dominate the mobile music gaming market with a game that looks, and feels, free to play and free to explore.

DROPMIX’s implementation is easy. You’re given a stack of card and a Bluetooth-enabled board. In the game’s Freestyle mode, you can play whichever cards you feel like playing to create music that actually sounds good. The cards are comprised of instrumental and vocal samples of a wide variety of music, from “Call Me Maybe” by CARLY RAE JEPSEN and “Bangarang” by SKRILLEX to “Down with the Sickness” by DISTURBED. Ever wanted to hear a mashup of THE CHAINSMOKERS, SEAN PAUL, FAR EAST MOVEMENT and CHARM SYNDICATE? Now you can do it yourself -- with ease. From the starter pack alone, there are thousands of possibilities, where you can adjust the bass, the tempo or the vocals, to ensure that whatever you want to create sounds great. You'll never have this much freedom and fun creating music alone.

What's more, this game isn’t just for solo players. DROPMIX features modes such as “Clash,” which pits players against each other to compete to rack up points, and “Party,” a co-operative mode that allows players to work together to create music requests determined by an artificially intelligent audience (in other words, playing against the computer). However you play, whomever you play with, you are given freedom to make music that sounds good, and is actually interesting. You get to actually be a DJ ... and enjoy doing it.

No games is perfect, and DROPMIX has some bugs and hiccups. The board would randomly disconnect if I accidentally left the application or received a notification. The board is also powered by 4-AA batteries, a jarring reminder of an era where portable electronics were powered by disposable batteries. Gamers would likely pay more for a board with a rechargeable battery (powered by a USB charger) rather than unscrewing the battery door and replacing batteries every so often.

Small gripes aside, DROPMIX is definitely worth the $99.99 retail price. You will get your money’s worth simply by playing solo, as there is a ton of replay value from the music creation alone. Playing with friends is a nice addition, be it at a party or if you have some friends over. If you want to expand your music collection, HARMONIX and HASBRO will be releasing Playlist Packs of 16 DROPMIX cards for $14.99 and Discover Packs of 5 DROPMIX cards for $4.99.

DROPMIX is available today online and at major retailers.
--Review by Will Silberman

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