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Crayola DJ – Neat and Fun to Play With, Especially if You’re Into Mixing

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

CrayolaDJ_214231.jpgThis app allows you to create the perfect music and play with tracks in different genres, including dance, pop, and hip hop. Layer your loops and add fun sound effects, then take your beats to the dance party. Your color-coded music creates an exciting color and light show. Perform for an audience and earn points for mixing and scratching your music! You can then save your music and share with friends and family! Carissa P., KIDS FIRST! juror, age 16 comments, “Crayola DJ is another one of those easy, fun games that lets children create their own music in the palm of their smart phone device.” Mia A, age 11 adds, “The Crayola DJ app is very fun, especially if you love music and creating music.” Kamren W. wraps it up, “Crayola DJ is fun for all ages. I recommend downloading this app especially for kids who have an interest in mixing.” See their full reviews below.

Kamren2.jpgThe Crayola DJ
Reviewed by Kamren W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 8

The app Crayola DJ is neat and fun to play with. This is a kid’s app where you can learn basic beats. There are so many combinations of music beats that you can make. The music areas covered are pop, hip-hop, dance, fusion and holiday. I thought the holiday beats would be weird to use, but it sounds real interesting. There are some loop buttons that you can add to the sound. Crayola DJ is about complete creativity. The Crayola DJ app does not disappoint. I downloaded this app under Google Play. The screen for this looks very simple. There is a voice tutorial which walks you through the app. I like that is has two turntables that you can actually spin backwards or frontwards. There is also a tempo slide and turntable slide. Crayola DJ has a one and two-player game. This game is based on creating and mixing up beats to earn the most points. It is interesting to play, but I didn’t like that the screen was completely different from the main one. It has a voice tutorial also. I read online that you can add your own music. I have not seen anywhere on this app that shows where to do this. That would really bring this app straight to the top. Crayola DJ is fun for all ages. I recommend downloading this app especially for kids who have an interest in mixing. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18.

Carissa_1.jpgCrayola DJ
Reviewed by Carissa P. KIDS FIRST! juror, age 16

Young kids gain enjoyment from the simplest of games, whether it be tag or crab racing. Crayola DJ is another one of those easy, fun games that lets children create their own music in the palm of their smart phone device. Perhaps the most enjoyable part is listening to the music change genres so quickly from funk to pop to hip hop just from pressing the devices on the game.

Crayola DJ opens up and the player is immediately faced with two turntables. The player is helped by a woman’s voice giving basic instructions on how to create music. There are buttons that provide different rhythms, basses, melodies and sound effects to create the player’s desired tune. These beats all come from different genres such as dance and holiday. This sort of “practice mode” provides a chance to creatively experiment with balance of the music, tempo and more. There is a two player mode where two kids can compete with one another and show off their mixing skills and also a performance mode where the player gets to feel like he or she is performing for a show.

Available on both Android and iOS, Crayola DJ is a very inventive game that many will enjoy. One aspect of the game that I really enjoyed was the interactive aspect. Lots of games out there that kids play are very singularly noted and simply require button pressing or aiming at a target. This game is much more intricate than that and provides children an opportunity to actually learn while playing on a device.

One criticism I have of the game is the lack of clarity. Yes, it is good to have kids learn for themselves and creatively experiment with a game. However, I had trouble understanding how exactly to make music and how to get from the “practice” area to the “performance” area. The woman’s voice who helps guide you through the game is pleasant enough, but she lacks information on how to make the game really easy to comprehend in the beginning.

All in all, I would give the game a 3 out of 5 stars due to the confusion and lack of clarity in instructions. Still, it is a very enjoyable game and I recommend it for kids ages 4 to 8. This is a creative new game for kids to learn more about music and, most of all, enjoy themselves.Mia3.jpg

Crayola DJ
Reviewed by Mia A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The Crayola DJ app is very fun, especially if you love music and creating music.  This app helps you to make a song then spin your track at a party like a real DJ.  The app is easy to learn, do and is fun to create with your friends. There is not a super wide selection of music beats to make your song but you can make a lot of tunes. I enjoyed the bright visuals, easy to follow instructions, the creativity of the app and the idea of being able to be a DJ on your tablet. I recommend this app for 6- to 12-year-olds because it’s fun to create songs and it is a blast to listen to what you create. I’d rate this app 4 out of 5 stars.  Crayola DJ is for kids to have fun and be creative.

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There Came an Echo – Revolutionizing the Game Industry

Monday, March 16th, 2015

There Came An Echo (Video Game)
Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Critic, age 12

This video game is truly revolutionizing the way you play a game. Instead of typing on a keyboard you say your command. There Came An Echo is the start of a voice command video game era.

The game is about four soldiers. Corrin is a genius and creates one of the most advanced program locks in the world. However he doesn’t know that someone could use it since it is designed for a quantum computer. Miranda is a bounty hunter type of soldier. She does what she can for money. Syll is a master hacker. Grace is a young, intelligent girl who is a rebel at everything she can be at. And then, there is Sam. You lead them and tell them where to go (literally tell them!), where to be and when to fire.

This game has very cool technology and it even works with accents! You can also customize the names of the characters and even the commands. At the moment, in version 1.0.3, you can play a firefight type of map where you battle wave after wave or play the exciting story. I love the fact you can play the entire game without touching your keyboard. However, I learned quickly that my soldiers don’t like when I scream at them and it is best to talk in your normal voice. I also strongly recommend using a headset. There are minor little glitches here and there like in any new game, but overall – what a great experience!

My favorite feature is to be able to change their names and the commands. I can change Miranda to be Yo-Yo if I wish, and also I can change the commands, so instead of “charge” I can say “race!” This lets you have a whole new varity of fun.

This game is rated “T” but has some strong language and, of course – it is a shooter game. So, I give it an age rating of 10 to 18. I also give it 5 out of 5 stars for wonderful ideas and wonderful technology and for revolutionizing the game industry.

Way to go Iridium Studios – I’m sure we will see many more wonderful things from you and your wonderful founder Jason Wishnov. For more info go to Iridium Studios.

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