Brutal Legend Being Blocked by Acti-Blizzard?

[DoctorFinger]

When word came down this summer that a significant number of projects were being dropped by Activision in the wake of their merger with Vivendi, there was one title in particular that gamers seemed to be most concerned about: Brutal Legend. Created by Tim Schafer's Double Fine studios, most of us expected the game would be snapped up right away. But, other than an announcement that MTV games wouldn't be publishing it, there hasn't been any news on that front. Now, according to Variety (http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/10/brutal-legend-s.html), we're learning a possible reason why.

According to Ben Fritz's sources on the Double Fine side the situation, Activision Blizzard is "an impediment" and that they're "blocking the process"; the "process" being Double Fine's attempts to find a publisher for their game. Apparently even though Activision Blizzard is no longer interested in publishing the game, they're demanding payment to release the property to another interested party, as happened with the Riddick, 50 Cent & Ghostbusters properties.

So far Activision Blizzard has refused comment.

Sources - Variety (http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/10/brutal-legend-s.html); Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/variety-source-brutal-legend-move-slowed-by-activision-blizzard/).

[Food Nipple]

Poor Tim Schafer, this is the same shit Psychonauts went through all over again. Between this, the anti-competitive measures they enacted against Rock Band, and the way they're running Call of Duty into the ground, they're not going to win 'Miss Congeniality' any time soon.

[opsin]

Goddamn it, if this is the case, you can start considering the fact that I don't play WoW as a boycott. Yea, suck on that ActiBlizz!

After the genius of Grim Fandango and Psychonauts, anyone who stands in the way of a Schafer game is automatically a total jerkwad! Damnit.

[Young Al Capone]

That is some bullshit, I wonder what else there is to the story.

As is Activision Blizzard can suck a dick, acting like selfish fuckers.

[Morangie]

Fuck you Activision.

Fuck. You.

[Mike Kelehan]

Lord. This is like when Sci-Fi canceled Stargate SG-1, and MGM started looking for another network, but Sci-Fi blocked it, saying, "If we're not airing it, nobody's airing it... and we're not airing it." It's just douchebaggery.

[Wedge]

Good to know that when they are not too busy counting money, they still have time for douchebaggery like this. Kudos, you greedy whores.

Publish it or let it go.

[KingGorilla]

I will just say this. There is a major reason third parties are getting off of that ship. Carmak ended a lengthy relationship with that publisher. Activision Blizzard is only making games for properties that they own, and it seems that is not exclusively by their own choice. Someone at VU needs to nip this, fast, before their place near the top is significantly harmed.

[Crowe]

This is just lame. If you don't to publish it, let the developer move on.

[Ancalagon]

Down with originality! More MMOs, rehashes and sequels! Yeah!

Oh wait...

[Young Al Capone]

Is there someone there who I can just email a big fat "FUCK YOU!" to?

I know knobody reads them, but maybe if they get a few they will at least recognize that people care. Not that that would stop the douchebaggery, only losing sales will do that, but still.

[Virtual Machine]

I'm hearing heavy rumblings that EA is actively pursuing this one with the intent of a multimedia blitz a la Dead Space. So i wouldn't be too concerned. I have no idea what manner of discussions EA has had with Schaefer and co, but the idea of Brutal Legend hitting with a huge push and a cartoon and stuff to go along with it definitely tickles my fancy, if fancies can in fact be tickled.

[opsin]

Not that that would stop the douchebaggery, only losing sales will do that, but still.

Well, come on. This is a call to arms. Join my haven't played WoW in four years boycott! It was preemptive and everything.


Good news Virtual... It seems like what with Jack Black in it, you could quite easily make a marketing feast of it's release. And EA well, have taken more than one project off of Activision's hands of late. I hate this whole, approving of EA thing...
(Letting their developers release mutliple games worth of free DLC. What are they thinking?!)

[EternalGamer]

I'm hearing heavy rumblings that EA is actively pursuing this one with the intent of a multimedia blitz a la Dead Space. So i wouldn't be too concerned. I have no idea what manner of discussions EA has had with Schaefer and co, but the idea of Brutal Legend hitting with a huge push and a cartoon and stuff to go along with it definitely tickles my fancy, if fancies can in fact be tickled.

Last I heard, Dead Space wasn't selling so hot. So I'm not sure that's reassuring. EA may want to tighten their budgets and NOT pursue another "media blitz" like that.

[Young Al Capone]

Well, come on. This is a call to arms. Join my haven't played WoW in four years boycott! It was preemptive and everything.

I am old school not playing WoW, as I have never even given it a shot.

As for EA taking this over, that would be good news so long as they don't fuck with it. They are doing a lot better over these past couple of years so I actually have faith, and back in '05 or '06 I was on the steady fuck 'em train.

[LongStepMantis]

I'm hearing heavy rumblings that EA is actively pursuing this one with the intent of a multimedia blitz a la Dead Space. So i wouldn't be too concerned. I have no idea what manner of discussions EA has had with Schaefer and co, but the idea of Brutal Legend hitting with a huge push and a cartoon and stuff to go along with it definitely tickles my fancy, if fancies can in fact be tickled.

I'm stoked about the idea of an EA vs. Acti-Blizzard showdown of some kind over the title.

It's like a Godzilla movie. There are two giant monsters duking it out, and all the rest of us suffer in their aftermath.

I know it would be more of a deal than a fight, but don't ruin my imagery damn you!

[Purple Santa]

I'm hearing heavy rumblings that EA is actively pursuing this one with the intent of a multimedia blitz a la Dead Space. So i wouldn't be too concerned. I have no idea what manner of discussions EA has had with Schaefer and co, but the idea of Brutal Legend hitting with a huge push and a cartoon and stuff to go along with it definitely tickles my fancy, if fancies can in fact be tickled.
This would be fantastic if a game like this would get Dead Space publicity. Considering how badly Psychonauts was marketed. Or lack of any...creative, interesting games like this one...need all the help they can get.

Last I heard, Dead Space wasn't selling so hot. So I'm not sure that's reassuring. EA may want to tighten their budgets and NOT pursue another "media blitz" like that.
That doesn't sound good. How "not so hot" is "not so hot"? Confidential source or can you lead us with some breadcrumbs? :p

This really would suck if EA has to button up the expenses affecting the talks on Brutal Legend.

[LordDon]

ActiBlizzard you motherFUCKERS! Brutal Legend was one of the reasons I finally caved and bought a 360. (the other being Rockband)

Let my people go!!!

[Spectre-7]

We should start a massive campaign to clog up their technical support lines. Call, wade through their undoubtedly annoying automated system until you finally get to a real live support rep, then talk their ear off about precisely how many and what sort of chunks this blows.

Letter writing campaigns are for sissies.

[National Kato]

In case anyone reading this thread is still on the fence as to why Brutal Legend should be given the green light, I submit the following:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5893/justbrutalqi7.jpg

The prosecution rests, Your Honor.

[Young Al Capone]

We should start a massive campaign to clog up their technical support lines. Call, wade through their undoubtedly annoying automated system until you finally get to a real live support rep, then talk their ear off about precisely how many and what sort of chunks this blows.

Letter writing campaigns are for sissies.

No way, I want Bobby Kotick's email address and I want to harass him specifically.

[MachEnergy]

Those motherfuckers. I've been waiting very patiently for Brütal Legend.

[DoctorFinger]

In case anyone reading this thread is still on the fence as to why Brutal Legend should be given the green light, I submit the following:Having Jack Black, Lemmy and Rob Halford doing voices should be enough.

[Spectre-7]

No way, I want Bobby Kotick's email address and I want to harass him specifically.

All you're going to do is annoy his secretary for a second until she builds a filter to automatically throw away any unsolicited emails about Brutal Legend, assuming his address isn't already set to only receive messages from known contacts. If he hears about it at all, he can (and likely would) decide to just ignore it.

Tie up his support department, though, and you're fucking with his business. If it's a large enough issue in support, it becomes a topic at inter-departmental meetings and everyone in the company gets to hear how pissed off the public is.

...and once the bell is rung, you can't unring it.

[Virtual Machine]

Those motherfuckers. I've been waiting very patiently for Brütal Legend.

LIES. I doubt you're waiting patiently.

[LordDon]

LIES. I doubt you're waiting patiently.

I'm not, I want that game so fucking bad and I want it now.

[Rock Bandit]

Tell me who to smite oh mighty Schaefer, and they shall be smoten!

[Young Al Capone]

All you're going to do is annoy his secretary for a second until she builds a filter to automatically throw away any unsolicited emails about Brutal Legend, assuming his address isn't already set to only receive messages from known contacts. If he hears about it at all, he can (and likely would) decide to just ignore it.

Tie up his support department, though, and you're fucking with his business. If it's a large enough issue in support, it becomes a topic at inter-departmental meetings and everyone in the company gets to hear how pissed off the public is.

...and once the bell is rung, you can't unring it.

I was kidding, I wouldn't do it even if I had his email address.

[Spectre-7]

I was kidding, I wouldn't do it even if I had his email address.

That's alright... I wouldn't actually call their support. But there's a very small chance I might convince someone else to. ;)

Plan B: Start sending anonymous insider reports to tech sites, revealing massive internal strife, impending product delays and drastically lowered quarterly revenue estimates, then watch as their stock plummets... Too bad the market's already in the shitter. :(

[MagGnome]

Wow, this is sad, and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if this is true. Activision inherent the title of Douchiest Publisher from EA a couple of years ago.

[LongStepMantis]

Plan B: Start sending anonymous insider reports to tech sites, revealing massive internal strife, impending product delays and drastically lowered quarterly revenue estimates, then watch as their stock plummets... Too bad the market's already in the shitter. :(

We could start a rumor that they have Space Herpes and just hope it catches on.

[Squidbot]

A wman. Gamers everywhere should start a charity drive to buy the rights just for Tim S.

[Darkmatter]

I gotta get in on this! Decide to do nothing and expect to get paid for it! Who wouldn't want that job?

[LongStepMantis]

A wman. Gamers everywhere should start a charity drive to buy the rights just for Tim S.

We should help him rise up and slay his oppressors, and lead us into the gaming promised land.

Imagine if you will, having another gamer ask "Have you seen the screens for Psychonauts 2? I heard they're already working on 3. They just have to finish Grim Fandango 2 first."

And it was good.

[Spectre-7]

We could start a rumor that they have Space Herpes and just hope it catches on.

Rumor? What rumor? ActiBlizzardVision actually has space herpes... I heard they picked 'em up from all that unprotected merging they were doing.

http://www.theicepirateship.co.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/spaceherpes.jpg.w300h163.jpg

[Disgustipated]

This is why I hate Activision oh so much. They are the fattest load of horse fuckers in the business.

[inmostlight]

No way, I want Bobby Kotick's email address and I want to harass him specifically.

I mentally processed that as Bobby Zilch (http://bobbyzilch.ytmnd.com/). I imagine Kotick off doing that dance too, and I just want to run into him in a dark alley some night for a good old-fashioned knife fight.

[torrefaction]

So EA starts making good games and Blizzard starts making decisions I hate? Is this some sort of fucking balance in the force kind of thing?

Seriously...I will TYPE ANGRILY FOR YEARS if this game doesn't get out there.

[Disgustipated]

So EA starts making good games and Blizzard starts making decisions I hate? Is this some sort of fucking balance in the force kind of thing?

Seriously...I will TYPE ANGRILY FOR YEARS if this game doesn't get out there.

You're on contract to type angrily until 2017. You ready to renew?

[mister slim]

I was kidding, I wouldn't do it even if I had his email address.

I actually emailed Kotick angrily back when Activision blocked the Les Paul patch for Rock Band. Didn't seem to have much of an effect.

[pseudopseudo]

This is pretty bunk. I agree with whomever said to start a fundraising drive to buy the rights of the game. That'd for sure get CoG on the gaming map. ;)

[Pale Ale]

I say we, by we I mean one of you schmucks :P , write a strongly worded letter! Then for the kicker have conservative minister get a hold of it and co sign it.

Truly this will have to power to move mountains!

[Spectre-7]

I say we, by we I mean one of you schmucks :P , write a strongly worded letter! Then for the kicker have conservative minister get a hold of it and co sign it.

Truly this will have to power to move mountains!

That's the spirit! Surely if we all call out for action, someone out there will prove weak-willed enough to act on it.

[Widgetcraft]

I would say I'd boycott Activision for a while, but they aren't releasing a damn thing for the next year or so anyway.

[Zanzibar]

I'm not sure what to say about this. If Activision's purchase price of Vivendi included a payout for Brutal Legend's development costs, then money has exchanged hands that Activision has a strong case to ask for repayment for to release the IP and code. They may not get it, they may just be leveraging for position so somebody comes up with a negotiated cost.

I love Tim Schafer as much as the next guy, by the way.

[Spectre-7]

I love Tim Schafer as much as the next guy, by the way.

Really? How much do you love the next guy? ;)

[Jeffool]

A wman. Gamers everywhere should start a charity drive to buy the rights just for Tim S.This is pretty bunk. I agree with whomever said to start a fundraising drive to buy the rights of the game. That'd for sure get CoG on the gaming map. ;)My name is Jeffool, and I endorse this plan. Anyone know someone who can find out how much such a contract would cost?

[boratika]

I'm not sure what to say about this. If Activision's purchase price of Vivendi included a payout for Brutal Legend's development costs, then money has exchanged hands that Activision has a strong case to ask for repayment for to release the IP and code. They may not get it, they may just be leveraging for position so somebody comes up with a negotiated cost.

I love Tim Schafer as much as the next guy, by the way.

Vivendi was the much bigger company. Vivendi purchased Activision.;)

[Deadend]

My name is Jeffool, and I endorse this plan. Anyone know someone who can find out how much such a contract would cost?

It's a better use of $5 than say... going orange.

[KingGorilla]

I would say I'd boycott Activision for a while, but they aren't releasing a damn thing for the next year or so anyway.

Until Diablo 3 comes out, me neither.

After I'd left, so did much of my interest in Activision. They really have turned into what EA was 5 years ago.

[Sl1pstream]

I'll be skipping CoD5 because of this. One less game to worry about this holiday season.

[Variable Gear]

This is great. We need less original IP. Yes. I am celebrating. Activision is the savior of the gaming world.

[Hexxagonal]

We need a "donate" button on the double fine website. I would give at least $200 for brutal legend (+ $60 at release)