Developed with creative input from music legend Quincy Jones III, CEO and chief creative officer of QD3 Entertainment and music producer for top artists Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J and Ice Cube, among others, Scratch combines free-form DJ tricks with great rhythm game-play. Scratch is set in distinctive urban environments and features songs from the biggest names in Hip Hop.

Featuring game-play similar to top-selling rhythm games, Scratch players use a realistic turn-table controller, the Scratch Deck, created by Numark, the world's largest manufacturer of DJ equipment, to manipulate music tracks in real-time. Players can choose from a diverse array of DJ personalities to make their way from garage DJ to scratch-master of the hottest nightclubs.

Scratch Deck combines two essential elements of the DJ and hip-hop experience - a free-spinning, touch sensitive turntable with a crossfader and 5 Akai Pro MPC-style drum pads. The turntable allows players to add their own style and manipulate the songs in real time, while the MPC-style drum pads give players the opportunity to perform and customize tracks by triggering samples using the very same pads that are the cornerstone of professional hip-hop beat production. Samples can either be pre-loaded into the game using 60 unique battle records that will ship with the software, or players can record and upload their own samples using a compatible USB microphone.

In addition to the features created by Numark, Scratch Deck also contains standard game controls found in music rhythm games. The turntable features a realistic surface that feels remarkably similar to a vinyl record. The drum pads and the crossfader also deliver an authentic and realistic music production experience. Left-handed DJs will appreciate that Scratch Deck is designed for use in right or left-handed configurations.

“Much in the same way Numark sets industry trends in DJ’ing and mixing, Apple is changing the way people think about and interact with portable computing,” said Jack O’Donnell, President and CEO of Numark Industries. “We see innovative new platforms like the iPad as a perfect fit for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, and we look forward to bringing the excitement and creativity of DJ’ing to gamers of all skill levels across a wide variety of platforms.”

Numark and its sister companies Alesis, Akai Professional and ION Audio have a long history of developing successful products that integrate with Apple mobile devices, including DJ products like the Numark iDJ & iDJ2, portable sound systems like the Ion Audio Block Rocker, professional recording systems like the Alesis iMultimix series, and music production tools like the Akai Pro SynthStation25.

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features 60 original and licensed tracks from the most popular hip-hop and R&B artists.

New licensed tracks include:

• Gifted – N.A.S.A. Feat Kanye West, Santo Gold, Lykke Li
• Looking Fly – Murs
• Skanky Panky – Kid Koala
• Iced Lightning – RJD2
• They Reminisce Over You – Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
• Friends – Whodini
• Push It – Salt n Pepa
• Life in a Cage – The Knux

Previously announced artists and licensed tracks:

• Peter Piper – Run DMC
• Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz
• Hot in Herre – Nelly
• Mastermind – Deltron 3030

“In the development of Scratch, we have remained committed to creating a setlist that will inspire and impress dedicated fans of hip-hop,” said Quincy Jones III, CEO and chief creative officer of QD3 Entertainment. “As a long time fan and participant of hip-hop culture, I am very excited about the range of artists and various time periods represented in the game from old school hip-hop to today’s hottest new talent. It's been great having so much freedom in picking music that is true to the genre.”

Additional music from artists:

• Run DMC
• The Gorillaz
• Nelly
• Deltron 3030

The Scratch development team has collaborated with Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, who is providing creative and technical input for the game. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ will also feature music from Mix Master Mike’s upcoming album, set to launch later this year.

In addition to a heavy-hitting setlist, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features distinctive urban environments, an array of customizable DJ personalities and a turntable style controller created by Numark, one of the leading manufacturers of DJ equipment.