EA is the Br�tal Legend publisher

by Justin McElroy { Dec 12th 2008 at 7:55AM }

We don't know exactly but there are really strong indications that EA will come to Brütal Legend's rescue. Most notably, www.brutallegend.com points to a non-existent EA domain, as noted by fan-site Brutal!. And if you tweak the address and plug in brutallegend.ea.com, you'll spot the above image. Seriously, try it for yourself, it'll do your spirit good after all the waiting.

We're likely to hear something more official later today as Double Fine mastermind (and perennial Joystiq crush) Tim Schafer wrote on the company's blog that "Santa may be putting some sort of publisher news in our stocking during the night."

For those about to rock ... well, you know.

[Update: We just got the confirmation in our mailbox. The game is coming in fall of 2009 to 360 and PS3.]

Tags: breakingnews, brutal-legend, double-fine, ea, tim-schafer

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Paustinj @ Dec 12th 2008 8:03AM

We salute you EA

jeff @ Dec 12th 2008 9:55AM

Dude, we salute you? doesnt any one rememebr what hapend when they published another unique gem from an independant dev. Im talking about Odworld here.

Comet @ Dec 12th 2008 11:29AM

FIRE!!!

Farseer (GDI) @ Dec 12th 2008 2:07PM

I'm sorry Jeff, but a publisher is different than a developer. Oddworld Inhabitants were still behind the development of Munch's Oddysee, even though it was published by Microsoft (Not EA, BTW). The less-than-stellar nature of the game, in my opinion was more do to the team's first 3d iteration of a strictly 2d game up to that point.

Stranger's Wrath, on the other hand, was published by EA, and it was much better than the previous installment. Again, I think that had less to do with the publisher, and more to do with the fact that the devs had 3d practice with Munch's Oddyssee.

Ridgecity @ Dec 12th 2008 2:29PM

NOW THIS IS A KILLER APP.

I do wish Tim Shafer could turn more like Miyamot and Iwata and produce a bunch of games at the same time. One game every 5 years is pretty bad for us fans.

Mr Khan @ Dec 12th 2008 8:08AM

Odd, given EA's recent lamentations over the poor performance of new core IPs

But ultimately a welcome development

LaughingTarget @ Dec 12th 2008 8:16AM

Probably it's because Double Fine is the one taking the financial hit to develop the game. EA just pays for the box and distribution.

Rabidkeebler @ Dec 12th 2008 8:41AM

w00t! Anyway. I'm happy with this, and I hope the extra year will let them really polish this game up to make it truly awesome.

Archon @ Dec 12th 2008 8:09AM

The domain works for me... Maybe the DNS are still being refreshed.

LaughingTarget @ Dec 12th 2008 8:14AM

EA is now a faceless corporate entity I want to kiss.

baby sea tuna @ Dec 12th 2008 8:29AM

Alright! Now fuckin buy it this time, people.

Levi @ Dec 12th 2008 12:55PM

Starting in the new year, I am going to save a quarter every day. That way, by the time October comes around, I will have enough money to cover the game + tax, and no excuse not to buy this game.

Ridgecity @ Dec 12th 2008 2:32PM

I'm getting a PS3 or xbox360 the day this comes out. I might even get one of those 1080p tv just to play this...

and as you say, please buy this game, this guy does deserve to keep making games.

ScottG13 @ Dec 12th 2008 8:32AM

EA: Working hard to be the friend of gamers everywhere.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Dec 12th 2008 11:39AM

It's working with me.

(The Award-Winning) dark_inchworm @ Dec 12th 2008 12:47PM

It's like the girl that repulsed you in junior high has suddenly come back around looking great in senior year, longing for your attention.

Fine, EA. You finally got me. Dinner and a movie.

jorojoserojas @ Dec 12th 2008 6:22PM

I've bought more EA games this year than any year prior.

Keep it up, EA!

fco. @ Dec 12th 2008 8:43AM

Hadn't an EA executive dissed this game not so long ago?

Dang, this means I have to put that X360 back on my gift list. Why don't they just release it for PC?

eldee @ Dec 12th 2008 2:33PM

There WAS a PC version planned if i'm not mistaken.. either this is yet another case of joystiq leaving "PC" out when informing its readers of platform releases, or EA has cut the PC from the release plans.

My guess is the former, because joystiq is retarded like that when it comes to PC releases.

paralipsis @ Dec 12th 2008 8:51AM

No PC version...

I would be disappointed, but then again, if EA is the publisher I would have had to avoid it anyway due to DRM.

Suffice to say, I'm not happy.

Jez @ Dec 12th 2008 8:52AM

I really am beginning to love EA more than any other publisher. Good to see the mediocre sales of Mirror's Edge and Dead Space haven't put them off taking a chance on fresh new ideas.

Kevin @ Dec 12th 2008 8:59AM

both sites redirect to http://brutallegend.ea.com/home.action now.

Sensual Harassment @ Dec 12th 2008 9:03AM

Helllllll yes!!! EA is continuing to make an effort to change their image. Kudos.

LordVesper007 @ Dec 12th 2008 9:07AM

I don't see why I have to "fucking buy it this time". Just because it's got a lot of hype? What exactly makes this game so special. From all I've seen of it I just get the feeling that it's gonna have a lot of violence (which isn't bad at all) and that it's going to be some sort of alien action type game.

So why exactly must I buy it? It's up to the maker of the game and the game itself to convince me that it's worthy of the money. I'm not gonna spend money to just support w/e crusade some people are on when it comes to games they think are somehow different.

Anyways good for it that it found a publisher. Now all it has to do is show what the hell makes it so great.

FreakyJP @ Dec 12th 2008 9:29AM

2 words: Tim Schafer.

Pathie @ Dec 12th 2008 9:37AM

Tim Schafer's games tend to be the darling of critics and gaming enthusiasts, but due to various circumstances lack the financial return he and his development team strive to earn. Whether or not they fit your personal tastes on the surface does not change the fact that Tim's games are often high-caliber. It'd be nice if he had the funds and support to keep making those games. So, at the very least you should give the game a shot before dismissing it outright. It might surprise you.

LordVesper007 @ Dec 12th 2008 9:42AM

Honestly pathie I'm not dismissing it outright. I'm just sorta annoyed at the whole, "you must buy it" because it's "original" or due to some vague hype that has been heaped onto a game.

Another example which strangely also came out from EA is Mirrors Edge. Despite all the hype the game itself didn't sell well at all. And furthermore one of my friends rented it one weekend and we played it for like 2 hours and returned the crap immediately. It just wasn't fun at all. Nothing about the game was interesting save the slow motion action scenes.

So lets just say that I'm wary about what this game will actually bring and whether or not I "have to buy it" cuz chances are it will be another mediocre game striving for greatness.

jynxycat @ Dec 12th 2008 10:12AM

Or you just play Generic Sequel 5.

LordVesper007 @ Dec 12th 2008 11:08AM

I'd rather play Generic Sequel 5 which will be fun and entertaining (like for example Resident Evil 5) than some bullshit gimmick game that is only being praised because it falsely brings something "innovative" or "fresh" to the table when it in fact does not. Plus in it's attempt to do so it fails to be even remotely fun.

Now I love original games and I'm all for people creating new games so long as they are actually good and get praise because they deserve it rather than bs hype or attention.

Haggard @ Dec 12th 2008 11:28AM

But Schafer doesn't make gimmick games..

Your point is at worst self-defeating and at best quite weird.

Jono Stars @ Dec 12th 2008 12:11PM

So I expect that everyone here ragging on LordVesper007 owns a copy Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne? No? What!? Then screw you because Shin Megami Tensei is god and if you don't buy the games, I get to bash on you repeatedly on Joystiq.

Magetto @ Dec 12th 2008 12:26PM

Some people rather enjoy playing new series, than re-buying the same thing over and over and over again. Crazy, I know...

Mister Servo @ Dec 12th 2008 3:10PM

I own Nocturne, can I bash Vesper?

Nah, but seriously, everyone has a right to their opinion, if he doesn't want to buy it that's fine. To be completely honest, I had no interest in buying Psychonauts and I really don't regret not buying it. This time though, the subject matter and what I've heard about the gameplay of Brutal Legend has me extremely interested. Just cause it's a great game, doesn't mean it's appealing to everyone.

B3astofthe3ast @ Dec 12th 2008 9:18AM

I'm really, really liking the new EA. Keep it up, and you guys will get my moneyz.

Lard @ Dec 12th 2008 10:11AM

Hurray! \(^^)/

Maybe I'll place a pre-order when I pick up Persona 4 today!

Great news!

MowDownJoe @ Dec 12th 2008 10:18AM

Wow... EA's really trying to stray from the "evil sequel-churning conglomerate" image they used to have.

Taco_Hell @ Dec 12th 2008 2:28PM

Yeah, that's Activision's job now.

CoreyW @ Dec 12th 2008 10:36AM

I will buy this game if only for the occasional entertainment value that is Double Fine Action News.

Dralthi @ Dec 12th 2008 10:43AM

This is great news! Tim Schafer's games are brilliant! I've been really looking forward to this game for quite a while.

AwesomeTown @ Dec 12th 2008 10:55AM

Finally!

Professor Lario @ Dec 12th 2008 10:59AM

Good to hear! Looking forward to picking this up.

Joe @ Dec 12th 2008 11:05AM

Good job on EA's part. EA really is trying to make and bring out new and awesome IPs. So great job EA.

Comet @ Dec 12th 2008 11:31AM

Thank you God for EA.

Thief @ Dec 12th 2008 12:55PM

I'm so glad that people have seemed to look past the unfortunate DRM issue and are now noticing the QUALITY games that EA has produced/published this year (and last year).

Keep up the great work =D

Haggard @ Dec 12th 2008 1:11PM

Yeah but.. DRM..

whymog @ Dec 12th 2008 1:43PM

The DRM issue is unfortunate and absolutely needs to improve. When you consider Spore, with its draconian DRM, was the most-torrented game of 2008, you begin to wonder.

However, EA's new business model and its Partners Program are great for core gamers and people who value innovation and strong franchises. When you've got Harmonix and Double Fine both taken under EA's wing in some form or another, you know it's a good sign. :D