Beaterator spinning on PSP

Several years ago, Rockstar Games reached out to would-be DJs everywhere with Beaterator. Offered for free on its Web site, the flash-based application let users create their own tracks using various drum loops and samples crafted by major club DJs such as Juan Atkins and King Britt.

Soon, gamers will be able to mix music on their PlayStation Portables. Today, Rockstar announced that its Leeds studio, which developed the two Grand Theft Auto PSP games, is readying a version of Beaterator for Sony's handheld. Set for release this summer, the game will feature new sounds created by famed hip-hop producer Timbaland, who has worked with such artists as Nas, Jay-Z, and Missy Elliot.

Though it contained effusive statements of excitement from Timbaland and Rockstar founder Sam Houser, the Beaterator announcement was short on details about the PSP title's gameplay. All it said was that Beaterator is a "powerful music mixer with robust beatmaking features" and will sport an "addictive collection of original music and rhythm games and challenge modes."