ABOUT

When I joined FreeStyleGames, I quickly moved on to DJ Hero 2, the sequel to the critically acclaimed original. The first game had established a strong foundation, but the sequel aimed to refine the formula, introduce fresh ideas, give the experience a more distinctive identity, separate it further from Guitar Hero and, from a UI perspective, make it more accessible and intuitive.

I was responsible for overseeing the front end, UI and in-game HUD. On a music-based action-rhythm game, these areas represented a large proportion of the overall project. The original UI leaned heavily into the energy of DJ culture and graffiti artwork. It looked great, but the in-game experience was already a bonkers DJ mash-up rave, so carrying that same intensity across the entire interface risked overwhelming the player.

For the sequel, I pushed for contrast: a cleaner, more sophisticated front end that established the tone without competing with the intensity of the gameplay.

Menus should not only be functional, but also establish mood and identity.

To give DJ Hero 2 its own personality, I looked beyond other rhythm games and drew inspiration from mainstream pop culture, television, entertainment, sculptural art and advertising. The front-end concept centred on audio cables connecting abstract floating speakers and pulling the user through the environment. As the camera raced forward, the cables stretched and splashed paint across the surfaces they touched. It was a bold, ambitious idea, and I am still amazed I delivered it within the time available.

I carried some of the graphical cues and tonal sophistication of the front end into the in-game HUD, results and reward flow. At the same time, I adapted these elements to complement the game’s vibrant visuals and high-energy musical flow.

I helped to create a set of bold totems to communicate progress and score. These worked especially well during two-player battles, clearly showing who was ahead at any moment and amplifying the competitive energy.

It was a great project, delivered under tight deadlines and considerable pressure, and I was lucky to work alongside a brilliant group of people.

The finished game was very well received, achieving Metacritic scores of 88 on Wii and 86 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Game Informer awarded it 9.25/10, Nintendo Life gave it 9/10 and GameSpot scored it 8.5/10, specifically praising its “slick and appealing new menu system.”