The Drumscape Video Game: 1996-2001

In 1996, John Devecka, a musician and entrepreneur working in his garage in Clifton, New Jersey, invented and patented Drumscape, the world’s first drumming music game.

Drumscape is a deluxe “drumming karaoke” simulator.  It allows players to select songs like a jukebox, and freely jam along using a professional high-tech drum set. Its premier sound system is specially designed to emulate playing drums in a concert with a favorite band. Stage lighting and cheering fans are provided to heightened the excitement.

As a second play option, drummer wannabes and pros alike can select from a list custom “themed” drum kits.   Players can trigger various instruments and other cool sounds like DJ scratches, guitars, keyboards and wind instruments. Additionally, players could compose and experiment musically by layering sounds  against the backdrop of optional backing drum tracks.

In 1997, Drumscape and its new category of "music games" were hailed as significant innovations in the video game industry. Drumscape was a top-earning lead attraction in hundreds of the premiere amusement locations in the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Numerous celebrity drummers and musicians supported Drumscape, endorsing the game as a great way to introduce playing music to the masses.

Along the way, MTV agreed to a co-branding arrangement with Drumscape. The product was subsequently re-branded and marketed as MTV Drumscape, which lead to vast media exposure with the MTV Drumscape appearing on MTV college tours and programs like the Hot Zone.