Variety source: Br�tal Legend move slowed by Activision/Blizzard

by Justin McElroy { Oct 30th 2008 at 8:45AM }

Why isn't someone jumping on Brütal Legend? It's a question we've asked ourselves numerous times since Activision/Blizzard merged and left the game out in the cold. But, apparently, it's not that there isn't an answer. It's that we're asking the wrong question. The real question is, "Why is Activision/Blizzard in the way?" according to one unnamed Double Fine source, which called the company "an impediment" and said it was "blocking the process."

Variety theorizes (probably correctly) that if one company is willing to talk trash about another, a deal probably isn't terribly close. Listen you two, if it's any help, Joystiq Publishing's offer still stands, and we're willing to offer up anything you want ... as long as you don't want money.

Tags: activision-blizzard, brutal-legend, doublefine

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

F1 @ Oct 30th 2008 8:51AM

Well atleast we now know that it still exists and hasnt been purged by the dark clerics of Actibliz.

Jack of No Trades 85 @ Oct 30th 2008 8:53AM

If I was on that developing team I would be so pissed to know that all my hard work could be for nothing.

Hopefully Brutal Legend finds a publisher.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 30th 2008 10:31AM

Hopefully Activision/Blizzard doesn't throw a hissyfit over this. They're acting like dicks.

8BitOverhaul @ Oct 30th 2008 9:08AM

This game must find a publisher. Ive been following this game for a while now.

FSK405K @ Oct 30th 2008 9:33AM

...because no one bought Psychonaughts? Wiki says: Majesco revised their fiscal year projections from a net profit of $18 million to a net loss of $18 million, and at the same time its CEO, Carl Yankowski, announced his immediate resignation. By the end of the year, the title had shipped fewer than 100,000 copies, and Majesco announced its plans to withdraw from the "big budget console game marketplace".....as of June 14, 2007 Psychonauts had sold 400,000 copies (not counting digital distribution, or the Double Fine company store).

dark_inchworm @ Oct 30th 2008 10:01AM

That is why you introduce aggressive marketing - something Majesco was never particularly good with.

Actiblizzard certainly had/has the power, and with a name like Jack Black behind the title, how can you not make *at least* an easy 250,000 sales?

Haggard @ Oct 30th 2008 2:14PM

Dark hit the nail on the head.

Mike @ Oct 30th 2008 9:42AM

I would really like to see this game happen, though I can understand, given the low sales of Psychonauts, why Actibliz (or any publisher for that matter) would be reluctant to pick up Brutal Legend. To any of those publishers reading this, do me a favor real quick. Go pick up, and play at least two hours of Psychonauts. I'll wait.
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Done? Now, you have seen how amazing that game was. I daresay it was one of the best games ever created in the history of the universe, and after playing it, I suspect you agree with me. Now, go publish Brutal Legend. You won't regret it.

I don't know why Psychonauts didn't sell better than it did. Bad marketing maybe? I do remember commercials for it though.... meh. The point is, that game was effin awesome, and Brutal Legend will be too if it ever gets finished, and released.

Mr Khan @ Oct 30th 2008 11:39AM

Advertising isn't the magic sales faucet that some people seem to think.

Some games just don't sell, which is why those type of games usually get no advertising, because you only spend money to make it, and if you don't think the game will be a hit, you don't advertise it, which is often a Catch 22 that a lucky few can break out of

Burritoclock @ Oct 30th 2008 10:03AM

Maybe I'm wrong, but I firmly believe that the availability of demo's would have saved Psychonauts, I know once I actually played it I loved it.

So a demo for Brutal Legend would be a good start.

Joe @ Oct 30th 2008 10:28AM

I hope Atari picks this up with Atari picking up every thing good these days plus with Phil I think this game would sell lots.

Also as much as I hate to say this Brutal Legend needs big lettering that says a Jack Black game.

Because the game will sell then to people that like JB and people that could care less that He is in the game like me. I just want to play the game and I think with his name on the cover the game will sell a lot more and that would be good news for a different and new IP.

LaughingTarget @ Oct 30th 2008 10:52AM

It's nice to see ActiBliz take the evil overlord crown from EA.

Kevin @ Oct 30th 2008 10:59AM

I wish I hadn't heard of this game. I found out about it after it had been suspended and I would loooove it.

Activision: "Something new and exciting?! CANCEL IT!"

Young_Nastyman @ Oct 30th 2008 11:01AM

Fucking Activision

j.howlett @ Oct 30th 2008 11:31AM

this looks like a game i would like to try, psychonauts turned me off

Markusdragon @ Oct 30th 2008 12:28PM

Boycott anyone?

Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Oct 30th 2008 1:40PM

What is going on with Activision lately? They are the top dog and they are denying potential money makers that have the core group excited? Like Ghostbusters and this game...

Seriously who is running the show over there?

david @ Oct 30th 2008 1:45PM

Boycott what? Oh you want 11 million people to stop subscribing to WoW because of one game that a whole lot of people haven't heard of, good luck with that one. I think letting them know you are interested would have more of an effect... if somehow you could contact them.