The Scratch: The Ultimate DJ saga has been long and torturous (and recently overlooked in burgeoning DJ Hero fever), but those of us carrying a torch for the vinyl-spinning title have a bit of good news today. Publisher Genius Products, left in the lurch when their contracted development team 7 Studios, were forced to pull out of the project, have signed on Commotion Interactive to complete the game.

Commotion Interactive are the newly-formed music and party game division of independent Canadian developer, Bedlam Games, best known for their... No, I've never heard of them either, but they're a huge step up from the "nobody" working on Scratch since Activision bought out the previous team. Jack O'Donnell is the head of the Genius Products and DJ-equipment brand Newark liaison team governing the project; he sounds perfectly content with the appointment:

"We have selected Commotion and are confident that they are the best choice to help us achieve our mission. The team's rich and varied development experience includes talent from Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts."

That's comforting! Scratch: The Ultimate DJ was announced several months before competing title DJ Hero, and despite the ensuing legal kerfuffle still has a few claims to fame over its rival, most notably the Scratch Deck controller, which was created in collaboration with leading brands. Bedlam CEO Trevor Fencott is enthusiastic about the technology:

"Scratch: The Ultimate DJ offers a revolutionary take on the existing music/rhythm genre. The combination of the game and the proprietary Scratch Deck controller will bring the art of DJing to the masses ... The Scratch Deck combines a touch sensitive turntable from Numark with the drumpads from the iconic Akai Professional MPC. This combination delivers an authentic music gaming experience unlike any other. We are thrilled to embark on this venture with Scratch, and can't wait for this exciting title to hit store shelves."

Better hurry, mate - DJ Hero's due in October, several months ahead of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ's appearance early next year. Will immediacy of access be the deciding factor in your purchase choice? Why not review the whole sorry story before you make up your mind?