Valhalla Gets Devil's Third Rights Back From THQ

[DoctorFinger]

THQ has returned the IP and distribution rights for Devil's Third to developer Valhalla Game Studios after deciding to drop the game from their publishing slate.

In a statement, Valhalla CEO Satoshi Kanematsu says that the company plans to go ahead with the console and PC releases, although he doesn't specify when that will be. Valhalla also plan to bring the property to "a wide range of digital devices" and push it into other mediums, such as animation and comics.

Devil's Third is the first project from Valhalla, which was founded by former Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive impresario Tomonobu Itagaki after his acrimonious split from former employer Tecmo. THQ jumped at the opportunity to publish their first title, but that was before THQ's current financial difficulties.

Source - Eurogamer

[Widgetcraft]

Sounds good, I'm interested. Ninja chicks are cool.

[bean]

If there is a multiplayer mode that let's players move around like ninjas while using a combination of ninja weapons and guns, they could have a CoD-level success on their hands. If it is just single player, it could still be very successful if it is good. That's a very fun looking concept that is extremely marketable if they can just produce a good game.

So you have to wonder why THQ is passing on it? Do they just not have enough money to continue funding the project or have they lost confidence in the developer?

[Xerxes]

I think it's a money thing.

[Hawkzombie]

Pretty much a money thing; but they are (IMO) doing a very honorable thing. Instead of holding onto the publishing rights and being pissy about it (IT'S OURS AHAHAHA) they've given it BACK to the developer to do with as they please. How many other companies would have done this?

[Xerxes]

I still think it's stupid not to ride this one out. The way MS handed Mystwalker money, I think they should have funded Itagaki. Being one of their biggest Japanese supporters and all.

[muddi900]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

Pretty much a money thing; but they are (IMO) doing a very honorable thing. Instead of holding onto the publishing rights and being pissy about it (IT'S OURS AHAHAHA) they've given it BACK to the developer to do with as they please. How many other companies would have done this?

Most companies that are dying a slow, horrible death would do this.

[pronounconnoun]

Originally Posted by bean

If there is a multiplayer mode that let's players move around like ninjas while using a combination of ninja weapons and guns, they could have a CoD-level success on their hands. If it is just single player, it could still be very successful if it is good. That's a very fun looking concept that is extremely marketable if they can just produce a good game.

Mini-gunning people to bits feels more like single player to me.

[Deadend]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

I still think it's stupid not to ride this one out. The way MS handed Mystwalker money, I think they should have funded Itagaki. Being one of their biggest Japanese supporters and all.

I guess part of the reason was that the engine that they were using, the company that made it, went under, so now the game has to have a new engine stuck on, adding a fuckload to the cost and adding doubt, so THQ walked away. They probably sold it to Valhalla to recoup some costs.

I wish for the best for Devil's Third.

[Xerxes]

The way I read it, THQ already ate those charges and if I'm not mistaken it was using one of the other engines that THQ uses. Still if it's not a huge seller once releasesd, I'd be confused.

[OldJadedGamer]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

Pretty much a money thing; but they are (IMO) doing a very honorable thing. Instead of holding onto the publishing rights and being pissy about it (IT'S OURS AHAHAHA) they've given it BACK to the developer to do with as they please. How many other companies would have done this?

Most contracts state that the IP doesn't belong to the publisher until the game hits store shelves. The developer owns it until then. This is in place to stop what you are talking about. As long as the developer hits their agreed upon milestones they are safe.

THQ knew they didn't have the money to launch the game so they were stuck.