by Jacob Lopez (411 Mania)--Semi Hands-on: The author of this preview was given the opportunity to try the game out, but because he cannot rap (and the video was going online shortly after the performance), politely declined while gladly watching the developers and their team give it a go.

The recently formed 4MM Games, comprised of two Rockstar co-founders Jamie King and Gary Foreman, recently announced a new project in collaboration with Def Jam Interactive. The game, entitled, Def Jam Rapstar at first glance seems like a Karaoke Revolution or Singstar-style flow to the beat and pitch of the music. However, the gameplay itself is not the real catcher with this game. It's about the networking

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Every day, social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook gain more and more popularity. Console companies are jumping on board with connectivity through these social networks. We saw Microsoft announce integration with their console and both of the aforementioned websites, while Nintendo's DSi will support the latter of the two. Def Jam Rapstar continues that trend by creating its own social network and launching a site that will give players the opportunity to be heard. At least, that is the current hope of the developers, as they promise to bring us that sort of interaction amongst peers.

Much like Youtube helped bring video blogs into the mainstream and launch the careers such as the Back Dorm Boys and the 2006 inerrnet sensation, Little Loca (of course there are many more, and some current, but each of these stars was able to secure great deals based on their web personas). The creators of this game hope to create a web-based sort of a talent search to accompany their upcoming game.

User generated content has been popular since the days of creating your own levels in Doom, and was recently made easier with Little Big Planet. This game, however, aims to start the same sort of user-driven community through the sharing of filmed performances over backing hip-hop tracks with other gamers and fans of rap.

Many of the backing tracks are commercially produced hit songs, while others in the near future will be freestyle beats produced by rap industry professionals. Players will film their performances via the PlayStation Eye or Xbox 360's Live Vision camera, then upload them directly from the console to a website that will be launched at a later, unspecified time. The team also expressed interest in Microsoft's Project Natal, but nothing has been said (and the peripheral appears to be far from a release date of any kind).

Although nothing was specified, it is easy to see their social video voting website becoming the grounds for in-game contests amongst users. It was also noted by the developers that videos do not necessarily have to be rap performances. Users may be able to do commentaries over music, or talk about the current state of rap and upload them directly to the site. The upcoming site also contains quick links that allow the videos to be added to a variety of already-established social networks.

It is impossible to know just how well the game and its accompanying site will do after launch, but if the Rockstar co-founders play their cards right, they may just start a new trend in the rhythm-based videogame genre.