Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Double Fine wants to win back Stacking, Costume Quest rights]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/double-fine-wants-to-win-back-stacking-costume-quest-rights/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/double-fine-wants-to-win-back-stacking-costume-quest-rights/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/double-fine-wants-to-win-back-stacking-costume-quest-rights/#commentsDouble Fine wants to win back Stacking, Costume Quest rights Double Fine wants to tie up all of the loose ends within its catalog and is seeking the distribution rights to its games formerly published by THQ, Stacking and Costume Quest. Nordic Games picked up the distribution rights to these games during THQ's bankruptcy auction in April, though Double Fine attempted to secure the rights from THQ as early as February.

Double Fine owns the intellectual properties for Stacking and Costume Quest, so if it wants to make new games within each series, it can.

"We're still trying to get the rights to Costume Quest and Stacking," Schafer told Game Informer. "We can still make more of those games. We still have the IP, but we'd love to have all of the IP and distribution rights in house."

On top of those distribution rights, Double Fine wants to regain the Brutal Legend IP from EA and the Iron Brigade IP from Microsoft, Schafer said. These are difficult positions for Double Fine, but for us, deciding which war to watch is just as hard: Battle of Heavy Metal and Mechs or the Battle of Kids in Costumes Playing with Toys From the Old Country. Decisions, decisions.

JoystiqDouble Fine wants to win back Stacking, Costume Quest rights originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendCostume-Questdistribution-rightsdouble-fineintellectual-propertyiron-brigademicrosoftnordic-gamespcplaystationps3stackingthq-bankruptcyxboxSun, 12 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar daily deals, cheap Brutal Legend highlight Steam weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/rockstar-daily-deals-cheap-brutal-legend-highlight-steam-weeken/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/rockstar-daily-deals-cheap-brutal-legend-highlight-steam-weeken/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/rockstar-daily-deals-cheap-brutal-legend-highlight-steam-weeken/#comments Steam will play host to a series of daily Rockstar deals this weekend and first up in the spotlight is LA Noire. The Complete Edition, stock game and DLC bundle - which includes a couple extra outfits and cases - have all been discounted by 75%, down to $7.50, $5 and $2.99, respectively.

The Rockstar Hits Collection is also on sale for $29.99. It's a Steam bundle that includes GTA IV and its Episodes from Liberty City expansion, Max Payne 3, and LA Noire. Pretty much every other Rockstar game on Steam right now is also on sale to varying degrees.

Recent PC arrival Brutal Legend joins the salesapalooza by slashing its price in half, down to $10 for the weekend starting now; if you want to pick up the soundtrack with the game, that'll be $12.49. Creator Tim Schafer of Double Fine Productions has stated he would "love" to revisit the game and add more stuff if the PC version does well.

JoystiqRockstar daily deals, cheap Brutal Legend highlight Steam weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineLA-Noirepcrockstarrockstar-publisher-weekendsteamsteam-weekend-dealThu, 25 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend items now available in Team Fortress 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/brutal-legend-items-now-available-in-team-fortress-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/brutal-legend-items-now-available-in-team-fortress-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/brutal-legend-items-now-available-in-team-fortress-2/#comments Brtal Legend items now available for purchase in Team Fortress 2Double Fine's heavy metal adventure RTS, Brütal Legend, made its way to Steam earlier this year, and those who pre-ordered it were able to grab a few special items for use in Team Fortress 2. Those pieces are no longer exclusive: You can now purchase the Brütal Bouffant headgear (sideburns and mullets included) and the Shred Alert taunt from Double Fine's Steam Workshop stall.

Only the pre-order bonuses are of "Genuine" quality, however, so those who participated during the promotional period still have a way to distinguish themselves in Double Fine fandom.

JoystiqBrutal Legend items now available in Team Fortress 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-bouffantBrutal-Legenddouble-finepcpreordershred-alertsteamsteam-workshoptauntteam-fortress-2Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Brutal Legend rockin' Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/psa-brutal-legend-rockin-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/psa-brutal-legend-rockin-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/psa-brutal-legend-rockin-steam/#comments Are you ready to rock?

I can't hear you! I said, ARE YOU YOU READY TO RAAAAWK!?

Good! Double Fine's heavy metal action-adventure Brutal Legend is available now on Steam. The rock epic is a mere $20, and Double Fine founder Tim Schafer has says he'd be open to add more modes, tweaks and content. However, Double Fine is busy with a couple other projects, including its record-breaking Kickstarter-funded adventure game.

JoystiqPSA: Brutal Legend rockin' Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brutal-Legenddouble-finepcTue, 26 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Schafer would 'love' more Brutal Legend content on PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/24/schafer-would-love-more-brutal-legend-content-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/24/schafer-would-love-more-brutal-legend-content-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/24/schafer-would-love-more-brutal-legend-content-on-pc/#comments Schafer would 'love' more Brtal Legend content on PCIf Brütal Legend takes off on Steam after its launch on February 26, Double Fine founder Tim Schafer would love to add more modes, tweaks and multiplayer content to the game, he told RPS.

"It's actually been fun to continue work on it," Schafer said. "I mean, we have a wishlist from when we made this version. But since we are a small developer publishing it ourselves, we have to go with the best version we can make and then hope it's successful so we can add more."

Schafer mentioned a few specifics he would like to see in Brütal Legend, such as alternate game modes in multiplayer, new playable factions, updates to the current unit feedback system and an advanced mode featuring traditional RTS-style controls. He didn't see any singleplayer updates or sequels in Brütal Legend's future, since those tended to be more expensive and expansive.

A sequel to Psychonauts, for example, would probably be cheaper than one for Brütal Legend, considering the cost of music licensing, Schafer said.

"I mean, it's been longer since Psychonauts and we wouldn't have to do any music licensing," he said. "So we could probably afford to do it more if we got some funding. I feel like a Brütal sequel would cost twice as much as Psychonauts. It's easier to imagine Double Fine doing a sequel to Psychonauts. But for creative reasons, there's no preference of one over the other."

JoystiqSchafer would 'love' more Brutal Legend content on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brutal-Legenddouble-finepcpsychonautsTim-SchaferSun, 24 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[You axed for it: Brutal Legend on Steam Feb. 26]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/you-axed-for-it-brutal-legend-on-steam-feb-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/you-axed-for-it-brutal-legend-on-steam-feb-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/you-axed-for-it-brutal-legend-on-steam-feb-26/#comments
Double Fine appears to have gotten its Brütal Legend IP from the jaws of both EA and Activision, as it's self-publishing a PC version of the metal-themed action/RTS thing on February 26.

Pre-ordering before that date gets you the game for $14.99, $5 off the normal price (a Soundtrack Edition is also available for $18.74), along with instant access to a multiplayer beta. Oh, and because it's a game on Steam, you get a couple of Team Fortress 2 items.

Double Fine is also taking pre-orders on The Art of Brütal Legend, a hardcover, 252-page art book. Books pre-ordered from Double Fine's shop will be signed by Tim Schafer, though hats will not be included.

Continue reading You axed for it: Brutal Legend on Steam Feb. 26

JoystiqYou axed for it: Brutal Legend on Steam Feb. 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabrutal-legenddouble-finepcrelease-datesteamWed, 13 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Fine discounts: Psychonauts, Iron Brigade, Stacking and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/double-fine-discounts-psychonauts-iron-brigade-stacking-and-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/double-fine-discounts-psychonauts-iron-brigade-stacking-and-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/double-fine-discounts-psychonauts-iron-brigade-stacking-and-m/#comments No matter where you like to purchase your games, odds are you'll find a Double Fine game on discount right now. The developer has announced its entire catalogue is on sale across Steam, Xbox 360, Amazon and its own shop.

Discounts include Stacking and its DLC on Xbox Live Arcade, and both signed and stock copies of Brutal Legend on PS3 and Xbox 360 through the Double Fine Shop. Iron Brigade (formerly Trenched) is cheap on Steam and Xbox Live Arcade right now, and even Psychonauts is half-off through Steam and the Mac App store, and the soundtrack too.

We'd never tell you how to spend those hard-earned duckets you covet so much, but at least we can rest easy knowing you're not spending as much as you normally would.

JoystiqDouble Fine discounts: Psychonauts, Iron Brigade, Stacking and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-finedouble-fine-happy-action-theateriron-brigademacmicrosoftonce-upon-a-monsterpcplaystationps3Psychonautssesame-street-once-upon-a-monsterstackingtrenchedxboxTue, 09 Oct 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision's Kotick on Brutal Legend drama: 'That's not really what happened']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/activisions-kotick-on-brutal-legend-drama-thats-not-really-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/activisions-kotick-on-brutal-legend-drama-thats-not-really-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/activisions-kotick-on-brutal-legend-drama-thats-not-really-w/#comments This is the first part of Joystiq's in-depth discussion with Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, in which we cover Activision's Bungie partnership, the Infinity Ward situation, Treyarch's time in the spotlight with Call of Duty: Black Ops, and why Kotick's been cast in the role of video game industry villain. Up first: The real story behind Activision's Brutal Legend lawsuit:

In 2009, for the first time in years, E3 felt like a celebration again. The annual video game trade show had reemerged after a period of austerity, newly invigorated. For Brutal Legend, it was an especially momentous debutante's ball -- the game had suffered from delays and publisher battles, but it had finally found a suitor in EA Partners and a booth alongside Electronic Arts' other games. Then on June 4, the last day of the show, developer Double Fine got sued.

The difficult thing about lawsuits is this: None of the parties can say much. The inevitable result of that vacuum is confusion and misunderstanding. On the surface, it looked like Activision -- amidst the chaos of a merger with Vivendi and its Sierra and Blizzard games business -- simply chose to pass on Brutal Legend, leaving creator Tim Schafer and the team at Double Fine without a path to market. That's where EA Partners comes in, like a knight in shining armor. Then, perhaps in an effort to keep its biggest competitor from releasing a highly-anticipated game, Activision -- a company whose corporate persona had been portrayed as increasingly villainous in much of the gaming press -- sued the developer. During E3. The celebration.

But there was that vacuum: Double Fine couldn't say much; Activision couldn't say much; and that left Electronic Arts -- the white knight, if we're following the characterization of the press at the time -- to speak up. And the publisher did, issuing the following zinger which set the tone for the conflict:
"We doubt that Activision would try to sue. That would be like a husband abandoning his family, and then suing after his wife meets a better looking guy."
And why not? Without any other commentary, the press, readers and fans all wanted an answer. Nature abhors a vacuum and, just like that, Activision wrote its own role, as the devious, conniving villain.

Continue reading Activision's Kotick on Brutal Legend drama: 'That's not really what happened'

JoystiqActivision's Kotick on Brutal Legend drama: 'That's not really what happened' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzardBobby-KotickBrutal-Legendmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxMon, 08 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tim Schafer: Brutal Legend 2 isn't happening]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/just-to-be-clear-brutal-legend-2-isnt-happening/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/just-to-be-clear-brutal-legend-2-isnt-happening/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/just-to-be-clear-brutal-legend-2-isnt-happening/#commentsFiled under: , ,

During his recent Develop panel, Tim Schafer -- creator of Brütal Legend and head of Double Fine Productions -- revealed that the potential for a sequel to Jack Black's journey through a fantastical world of rockitude is nonexistent. "Apparently when they said it was a done deal, they meant there was no deal, and we're done," he told attendees.

Double Fine fans shouldn't mourn the game's loss, however; the studio is currently at work on four new titles, so it's not like Schafer is riding off into the sunset -- unless that's part of one of the four games Double Fine is working on, in which case you heard it here first.

JoystiqTim Schafer: Brutal Legend 2 isn't happening originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddevelop-2010double-fine-productionseaelectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3tim-schaferxboxThu, 15 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Fine's next projects: four 'smaller' games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/double-fines-next-projects-four-smaller-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/double-fines-next-projects-four-smaller-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/15/double-fines-next-projects-four-smaller-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After releasing only two games over its first ten years of existence, Tim Schafer's Double Fine Productions is heading in a slightly different direction and working on four smaller projects, each with a different producer.

Speaking at a keynote presentation at the Develop Conference this morning, Schafer didn't reveal many details about the new game projects. He did, however, mention who was heading up each one. They are:
  • Lee Petty, art director on Brütal Legend, is leading a game Schafer described as "sort of retro but also really new."
  • Nathan Martz, lead programmer on Brütal Legend, is working on a game that's "quite cutting edge."
  • Brad Muir, who designed a lot of the combat and multiplayer on Brütal Legend, is working on a game that "focuses on gameplay mechanics."
  • Tasha Harris, lead animator on Brütal Legend (and former senior animator at Pixar) is heading up a fourth game.
Schafer didn't say what systems or formats the games would target, but did mention that some would be available as downloads while others would be retail products. He off-handedly mentioned that the quick development process meant some of these projects would be coming out this year, but quickly caught himself. "I didn't announce that," he said. "I see you writing that down. ... That was not a ship date."

Schafer said the transition to multiple smaller projects happened in the wake of the unexpected cancellation of a planned Brütal Legend sequel. "Apparently when they said it was a done deal, they meant there was no deal, and we're done," he said.

Continue reading Double Fine's next projects: four 'smaller' games

JoystiqDouble Fine's next projects: four 'smaller' games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brutal-LegendDevelop-2010Double-FineDouble-Fine-ProductionsTim-SchaferThu, 15 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Schafer: Comedy games need a big hit before publishers will approve]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/schafer-comedy-games-need-a-big-hit-before-publishers-will-appr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/schafer-comedy-games-need-a-big-hit-before-publishers-will-appr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/schafer-comedy-games-need-a-big-hit-before-publishers-will-appr/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We had always assumed that we don't see more comedy in games because nothing could ever be funnier than the end of Limbo of the Lost. But speaking with Eurogamer before his upcoming Develop Conference keynote, Grim Fandango designer Tim Schafer said the comedy boom will come when publishers start connecting chuckles with dollar signs. "The industry is imitative," he said. "A lot of people are chasing the last thing that was a big hit. What we need is a big hit comedy game. As soon as we have one, everybody will follow, of course."

Schafer also has some choice words for Activision's Bobby Kotick, but our therapist says we need to spend more time focusing on positivity.

JoystiqSchafer: Comedy games need a big hit before publishers will approve originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbobby-kotickBrutal-Legenddevelop-2010double-fineTim-SchaferWed, 14 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameFly sale: Bionic Batman and the Brutal Beatles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/gamefly-sale-bionic-batman-and-the-brutal-beatles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/gamefly-sale-bionic-batman-and-the-brutal-beatles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/gamefly-sale-bionic-batman-and-the-brutal-beatles/#comments Here's the good news: According to our budget-minded buddies (budgies?) at CAG, GameFly has a sale on several appealing Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 titles, including Batman: Arkham Asylum (360 / $19.99), Bionic Commando (360 / PS3 / $9.99), Brütal Legend (360 / $14.99) and The Beatles: Rock Band (360 / $21.99). We also spy some stellar deals on Red Faction: Guerrilla (360 / PS3 / under $15) and 2D fighter BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger ($19.99 / $24.99). GameFly games are guaranteed to be in working condition and include manuals and cases.

And here's the bad news: The sale comes to an end on March 30. Also, our industry is woefully ill-equipped to produce a product called "Bionic Batman and the Brütal Beatles" and will succumb to creative and financial bankruptcy long before you ever get to play something of such magnificent magnitude. Oh well.

JoystiqGameFly sale: Bionic Batman and the Brutal Beatles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-asylumbionic-commandoblazblueblazblue-calamity-triggerbrutal-legendcagdealsgameflyMicrosoftred-faction-guerrillasaleXbox-360Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Fan-made Eddie Riggs figure hits all the right notes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/fan-made-eddie-riggs-figure-hits-all-the-right-notes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/fan-made-eddie-riggs-figure-hits-all-the-right-notes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/fan-made-eddie-riggs-figure-hits-all-the-right-notes/#comments
[hugohugo at deviantART]
deviantArt is usually the site you go to if you want to see uncomfortable, sexual doodles of anime characters and other such nonsense. Today, it's become the place to see the most badass Eddie Riggs homage known to man. In fact, we're pretty sure user hugohugo sold his soul to Satan for the ability to craft such a magnificent resemblance of Brütal Legend's protagonist.

Compared to the official alternative, we have to say we dig hugohugo's a bit more. It's got character and is entirely posable -- even the fingers move for wicked faux-solos!

[Via OKConsole]

JoystiqFan-made Eddie Riggs figure hits all the right notes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendcraftsdouble-fineeddie-riggsfigurefigurineMicrosoftstatuetim-schaferXbox-360Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2009/#comments
Time Gentlemen, Please
This was hands-down the funniest game released in 2009, and 2009 was a year in which we got a new Tim Schafer game and the return of the Monkey Island series, so that's saying something. If you missed out, please go buy it, it's cheap as can be and a true delight.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50-cent-blood-on-the-sandbest-of-the-rest-2009bionic-commandobrutal-legendcall-of-juarez-bound-in-blooddrop-7house-of-the-dead-overkillkillzone-2Microsoftqwoprock-bandscribblenautsthe-beatles-rock-bandtime-gentlemen-pleasewetXbox-360Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend's 'Hammer of Infinite Fate' DLC arrives with trailer in tow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/brutal-legends-hammer-of-infinite-fate-dlc-arrives-with-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/brutal-legends-hammer-of-infinite-fate-dlc-arrives-with-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/brutal-legends-hammer-of-infinite-fate-dlc-arrives-with-trail/#commentsAnnounced earlier this month (though fate had ensured its arrival since the beginning), Brütal Legend's second pack of downloadable content landed on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network this week.

In celebration of the release, Double Fine has handed over a brand new trailer for the grab bag of multiplayer maps, skins for Eddie Riggs, and items with which to brutalize (as seen above). As we previously noted, the DLC also gives players the opportunity to endow Mt. Rockmore with Tim Schafer's beautiful face. If that doesn't sell you on it, we can't imagine what would.

Gallery: Brutal Legend

JoystiqBrutal Legend's 'Hammer of Infinite Fate' DLC arrives with trailer in tow originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddlcdouble-fineeaElectronic-Artshammer-of-infinite-fateMicrosoftpsntim-schafertrailervideoxblmXbox-360xbox-liveFri, 18 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2010 schedule and speakers partially revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/gdc-2010-schedule-and-speakers-partially-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/gdc-2010-schedule-and-speakers-partially-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/gdc-2010-schedule-and-speakers-partially-revealed/#comments Though it lacks the glitz, glamor and booth babes of consumer-based expos, the Game Developer's Conference has plenty to capture the attention of the cerebral game enthusiast. The event's official site recently posted a smattering of the lectures, roundtables, and panels which will take place from March 9 - 13, showcasing the efforts of the creators of Brütal Legend, Uncharted 2 and Braid, to name a few.

These events are broken into tracks representing the various types of work that go into making a game. For instance, Naughty Dog's Richard Lemarchand will be leading a post-mortem of Uncharted 2 as part of the Production Track. Double Fine's Peter Demoreuille and Drew Skillman will be talking about crafting the visuals of Brutal Legend for the Art Track. And Jonathan Blow is leading a discussion on implementing time travel in games as part of the sparsely populated Quantum Physics Phenomena Track.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqGDC 2010 schedule and speakers partially revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braidbrutal-legendeventgame-developers-conferencegdcgdc-2010lecturepanelroundtablespeechuncharted-2Uncharted-2-Among-ThievesSat, 12 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend postmortem: Scrum, content explosion and lawsuit drama]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/11/brutal-legend-postmortem-scrum-content-explosion-and-lawsuit-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/11/brutal-legend-postmortem-scrum-content-explosion-and-lawsuit-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/11/brutal-legend-postmortem-scrum-content-explosion-and-lawsuit-d/#comments It's been a bumpy road to release for Brütal Legend. Tim Schafer's had to change publishers, deal with a pesky lawsuit, soldier through PR missteps and even handle some post-release DLC. This is all common knowledge, but in a lengthy postmortem at Gamasutra, Caroline Esmurdoc, executive producer at Double Fine, goes in depth on the development strategy for the title and talks about what went right and what went wrong in the creation of this rock gaming opus.

Double Fine adopted the Scrum method of agile software development for Brütal Legend, which allowed the company to create a renderer, terrain and a playable Eddie Riggs for Tim in a mere month. Content creation was fairly steady, Esmurdoc admitted, but around January of this year, the game's content jumped from the 2.5GB generated over three years to a massive 9GB, thanks to multiple teams unloading assets for the game simultaneously.

Esmurdoc also touched on the lawsuit, though she couldn't go into specifics beyond mentioning that the transition between publishers caused "internal unrest and morale dips among the team", and that Double Fine learned Activision would not be publishing Brutal Legend when the game was suspiciously absent from a list of the publisher's upcoming games. Double Fine then pursued a new publishing partner.

JoystiqBrutal Legend postmortem: Scrum, content explosion and lawsuit drama originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbrutal-legendcaroline-esmurdocdlcdouble-fineeaeddie-riggsElectronic-Artsjack-blackMicrosoftpostmortemscrumsierraXbox-360Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend DLC 'Hammer of Infinite Fate' coming Dec. 17]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/brutal-legend-dlc-hammer-of-infinite-fate-coming-dec-17/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/brutal-legend-dlc-hammer-of-infinite-fate-coming-dec-17/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/brutal-legend-dlc-hammer-of-infinite-fate-coming-dec-17/#comments If you claim to love Tim Schafer, the new Brütal Legend DLC, "Hammer of Infinite Fate," is your chance to prove it. When it arrives on Dec. 17, you'll be able to pay the designer the ultimate tribute and carve his giant, disembodied head into Mount Rockmore. Sure, you're still a stalker, but in a totally socially acceptable way. You'll also get the Oculus of the Lost, a Deuce upgrade that shows every collectible on the map, as well as new outfits for Eddie and four new multiplayer maps.

The pack's apparently going to be a bit cheaper for PlayStation 3 users, who will pay $4.99 compared to 480 MS points ($6) on Xbox 360. That might be a misprint (we've asked EA for confirmation), but we recall that PSN users did get the first DLC free for two weeks. Teacher's pets.

JoystiqBrutal Legend DLC 'Hammer of Infinite Fate' coming Dec. 17 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionbrutal-legenddlcdouble-fineeaElectronic-Artshammer-of-infinite-fateMicrosoftrtstim-schaferXbox-360Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tim Schafer talks Brutal Legend, critical response, and DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/tim-schafer-talks-about-brutal-legend-critics-response-and-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/tim-schafer-talks-about-brutal-legend-critics-response-and-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/tim-schafer-talks-about-brutal-legend-critics-response-and-dlc/#comments
 Brütal Legend may have had a smaller-than-expected impact during the game's first month on shelves, but Double Fine head Tim Schafer remains nonplussed. In fact, he hasn't even seen the numbers yet, instead choosing to wait "'til after Christmas," he recently told GamePro. "I like to give it time, you know? I think many people look too soon but a lot of games I've worked on have succeeded based on word of mouth," he explained. And despite somewhat disappointed responses from critics, Schafer said he was happy "for the most part" with how the game was received.

While he's still not talking specifics, the idea of more downloadable content is clearly one Schafer's interested in. "We definitely want to do more DLC for both single-player and multiplayer, as well as some tuning patches," he said, and added that the developers are still watching multiplayer online to see what needs fixing. We're betting it won't be too long before we hear what the folks at Double Fine have in mind.

Gallery: Brutal Legend (10-13-09)

JoystiqTim Schafer talks Brutal Legend, critical response, and DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendbugsdlcdownloadable-contentinterviewMicrosoftpatchtim-schaferXbox-360Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kill Screen gaming mag aiming for highbrow readers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/kill-screen-gaming-mag-aiming-for-highbrow-readers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/kill-screen-gaming-mag-aiming-for-highbrow-readers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/kill-screen-gaming-mag-aiming-for-highbrow-readers/#comments Between John Davison recently promising a revitalization of GamePro, Steve Harris' purchase and subsequent relaunch of EGM (as EGM Now), and now the announcement of "Kill Screen" from Jamin Brophy-Warren and Chris Dahlen, it's been quite the year for gaming magazines. But Kill Screen seems to be taking a decidedly different approach to publishing, aiming its first print run at "2 or 3,000 copies," Brophy-Warren told us this afternoon.

With an editorial directive to thematically tackle game writing -- and no obligation to the traditional reviews/previews/news format due to a donation/subscriber-funded, non-profit approach -- Kill Screen intends to avoid the mechanical nitty gritty that plagues game writing. "A great example of that is with Brütal Legend," Brophy-Warren said. "Tim Schafer had to come out and defend the RTS elements ... When we talk about games critically, it's not going to be in that sense."

The first issue, the "test run" or "zero issue" as it's being called, will be finished in "the next week or two" and shipping by January. Brophy-Warren added that he's hoping the second issue will be ready for GDC, but he's not so certain. And as for the short initial print run, he says "Everyone's gotta start somewhere, right?" and encourages people to subscribe to insure they'll get a copy. We wish them the best of luck!

JoystiqKill Screen gaming mag aiming for highbrow readers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendchris-dahlenegmegm-nowgame-magazinegameprogdc-2010jamin-brophy-warrenkill-screenmagazineprintWed, 02 Dec 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Futureshop slashing prices on Dragon Age, Left 4 Dead 2, NFS: Shift]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/psa-futureshop-slashing-prices-on-dragon-age-left-4-dead-2-nf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/psa-futureshop-slashing-prices-on-dragon-age-left-4-dead-2-nf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/psa-futureshop-slashing-prices-on-dragon-age-left-4-dead-2-nf/#comments Hey Canadians! Yeah, you guys and gals huddled together attempting to maintain sustainable body heat. Just a friendly reminder that big-box retailer Futureshop is currently slashing prices on a slew of new video game titles. Dragon Age: Origins, Left 4 Dead 2, Brutal Legend and Need for Speed: Shift are all on sale for $39.99. Wait, what's this? NHL 10? Oh, Canada. You're so adorably predictable!

The online and in-store sale ends on December 3, so make sure to defrost your car, dust off your skates and hit the store ASAP. And before you ask: Yes, Rock Band 2's special edition is priced at $99 and does include a free mullet kit. We don't know what that is, but we know we want it. More Canadian deals can be found after the break.

Update: Best Buy Canada is offering similar discounts.

Continue reading PSA: Futureshop slashing prices on Dragon Age, Left 4 Dead 2, NFS: Shift

JoystiqPSA: Futureshop slashing prices on Dragon Age, Left 4 Dead 2, NFS: Shift originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendcanadadragon-age-originsfight-night-round-4futureshopi-am-canadianleft-4-dead-2need-for-speed-shiftnhl-10salewolfensteinMon, 30 Nov 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Oct. NPD: Brutal Legend sold 216k; DJ Hero sold 123k]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/oct-npd-brutal-legend-sold-216k-dj-hero-sold-123k/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/oct-npd-brutal-legend-sold-216k-dj-hero-sold-123k/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/oct-npd-brutal-legend-sold-216k-dj-hero-sold-123k/#commentsBoth Brütal Legend and DJ Hero were conspicuously absent from October's NPD top ten. According to data given to GameSpot by NPD, DJ Hero, which was released at the end of the month, on October 27, managed 123,000 units in sales across four platforms, with the Xbox 360 version accounting for the highest number of sales (62,000 units) and, predictably, the PS2 version, the lowest (3,300 units).

Double Fine's rocking, semi-strategy game, Brütal Legend, which debuted on Rocktober 13, totaled 216,000 units in sales across two platforms during October: 150,000 on Xbox 360 (almost enough to launch it into the monthly top ten) and 66,000 on PS3. This total fails to hit analyst Jesse Divnich's prediction for the month. However, Divnich suggested that Brütal Legend would go on to be an attractive holiday item -- something that may also be true for the bulky box with the cool turntable thingy in it.

Update: Removed reference to Brütal Legend as an Activision-published title. We know better!

JoystiqOct. NPD: Brutal Legend sold 216k; DJ Hero sold 123k originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbrutal-legenddj-heroeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftNintendonpdoctober-2009salesWiiXbox-360Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend gets papercrafted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/brutal-legend-gets-papercrafted/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/brutal-legend-gets-papercrafted/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/brutal-legend-gets-papercrafted/#comments Our grandmother had this saying, "Handicrafts make for strange bedfellows." In fact, she believed in it so much she once stitched the saying into a pillow she made from the skin of drifters she had lured into her home and killed. True, you don't normally think "drifter murder" and "decorative pillows" as a pairing, so she had made her point. But we tried (and are still trying) to convince her that there are ways of stating her case that are both less illegal and involve less risk of contracting hepatitis C.

... So we guess what we're saying is that our grandmother would probably be way into these Brutal Legend papercrafts.

JoystiqBrutal Legend gets papercrafted originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftpapercrafttim-schaferXbox-360Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:29:00 EST<![CDATA[EEDAR predicts Nintendo dominance, weak GTA and Brutal Legend performance in October sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/eedar-predicts-nintendo-dominance-weak-gta-and-brutal-legend-pe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/eedar-predicts-nintendo-dominance-weak-gta-and-brutal-legend-pe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/eedar-predicts-nintendo-dominance-weak-gta-and-brutal-legend-pe/#commentsEEDAR has released its predictions for October sales charts in North America. Analyst Jesse Divnich expects year-over-year declines for every console except the PS3 -- but also expects the Wii to regain its place at the lead, with an estimated 600,000 units sold. Divnich predicts that the Wii will remain at the top for the rest of the year -- based partly on New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Divnich expects the title to lose initially to Modern Warfare 2 in November, but pick up sales in the holidays and become the best-selling game of the year.

Other games expected to pick up in the holidays include Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City and Brutal Legend. Divnich expects both games to underperform in October (coming in at under 100,000 and 300,000 units, respectively), but to receive significant boosts in the holidays.

Demon's Souls, however, may exceed expectations. Divnich estimates that Atlus's punishing RPG sold 100,000 copies in October.

JoystiqEEDAR predicts Nintendo dominance, weak GTA and Brutal Legend performance in October sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddemons-soulseedarepisodes-from-liberty-cityjesse-divnichMicrosoftnew-super-mario-bros-wiiNintendoWiiXbox-360Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[European PSN releases for November 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/european-psn-releases-for-november-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/european-psn-releases-for-november-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/european-psn-releases-for-november-5/#comments It's another slightly skimpy week on the ol' European PSN update. Let's see ... there's some Brutal Legend DLC, a few new Rock Band tracks, and -- oh! We finally got that PSOne Classic featuring everyone's favorite Square Enix hero: Party Time with Winnie the Pooh. What? He was in Kingdom Hearts, remember?

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading European PSN releases for November 5

JoystiqEuropean PSN releases for November 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendpsn-thursdayThu, 05 Nov 2009 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Tim Schafer presents: Brutal Legend Multiplayer Deathmatch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/tim-schafer-presents-brutal-legend-multiplayer-deathmatch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/tim-schafer-presents-brutal-legend-multiplayer-deathmatch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/tim-schafer-presents-brutal-legend-multiplayer-deathmatch/#commentsFurthering his efforts to let you know there's some multiplayer beyond the single-player campaign of Brütal Legend, Double Fine's doubly fine gent, Tim Schafer, has passed along the above video. Now, it may initially seem like an episode of The Jerry Springer Show (standing against a brick wall backdrop will do that!) but, through and through, the near eight minutes of footage provides insight into the multiplayer it's-not-an-RTS mode by holding viewers' hands through an entire play session.

JoystiqTim Schafer presents: Brutal Legend Multiplayer Deathmatch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosofttim-schaferXbox-360Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend soapbox bus rocks the Red Bull derby]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/brutal-legend-soapbox-bus-rocks-the-red-bull-derby/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/brutal-legend-soapbox-bus-rocks-the-red-bull-derby/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/brutal-legend-soapbox-bus-rocks-the-red-bull-derby/#comments
Above, driver Sean Feeley gets big air; not pictured: the Hextadon he jumped over.

If you've been lacking in the keeping up with awesome stuff department, then you may not know the annual Red Bull Soap Box Derby went down in LA recently. This isn't the sorta thing you'd normally find out about on a video game blog, but the winners of said event so happen to be big Brütal Legend fans -- so big, in fact, that their sopabox car is the friggin' Ironheade tour bus.

Destructoid ihas posted a photoblog documenting the creation of this wonderful piece of brand synergy, complete with pictures of game creator Tim Schafer behind the wheel. Surprisingly, not a single bit of goat's blood or any incantations were used to create the thing -- the soapbox bus is mostly made of steel, fiberglass, foam, and sweat. The sweat gives it a good shine and makes the body more aerodynamic -- for those nasty curves, you know.

The effort to build the bus paid off, too, as its creators, Team Ironheade, totally drove away victorious. Head past the break to see some coverage of the event from G4.

Continue reading Brutal Legend soapbox bus rocks the Red Bull derby

JoystiqBrutal Legend soapbox bus rocks the Red Bull derby originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaElectronic-Artsred-bullred-bull-derbysoap-box-derbysoapbox-cartim-schafertour-of-destructionWed, 28 Oct 2009 20:50:00 EST<![CDATA[First Brutal Legend DLC dated Nov. 3, initially free on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/first-brutal-legend-dlc-dated-nov-3-initially-free-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/first-brutal-legend-dlc-dated-nov-3-initially-free-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/first-brutal-legend-dlc-dated-nov-3-initially-free-on-ps3/#comments
EA announced today that the "first DLC" (that means there'll be more, right?) for recently released Brütal Legend will be arriving November 3 and November 5 on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, respectively. Named "Tears of the Hextadon," the two, totally not RTS maps ("Circle of Tears" and "Death's Fjord") will set you back 400 ($5) on Xbox 360. If you're a PS3 owner, however, the map pack will be free of charge for the first two weeks. "We love the PS3," EA's Brent Dady said over on PlayStation Blog, speaking on the publisher's decision to offer the DLC for free on PSN until November 19.

Those who get the DLC on either console will also get a free in-game axe -- the intimidating "Blade of Ormagöden." We suggest you start looking for the game's creative lead Tim Schafer, who claims in the release that he plays online "every night." Get him Joystiq Biomass! Get him.

Gallery: Brutal Legend

JoystiqFirst Brutal Legend DLC dated Nov. 3, initially free on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendcircle-of-tearsdeaths-fjorddlcdouble-finedouble-fine-productionseaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftplaystation-networkplaystation-storepsnrelease-datetears-of-the-hextadonxblmXbox-360xbox-liveTue, 27 Oct 2009 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA 10 won't relinquish top UK sales spot to Uncharted 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/fifa-10-wont-relinquish-top-uk-sales-spot-to-uncharted-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/fifa-10-wont-relinquish-top-uk-sales-spot-to-uncharted-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/fifa-10-wont-relinquish-top-uk-sales-spot-to-uncharted-2/#comments
FIFA 10 may have seen a 54 percent sales drop in the UK last week, but it still maintained its place in the top sales spot for the region. The soccer football title has now surpassed the million sales mark and has done so three weeks faster than FIFA 09 did last year.

Last week's PS3 mega-release, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, entered the "All Formats" chart in second place, but was top (naughty) dog on the PS3 sales chart. The franchise wasn't in uncharted territory, though, as the original also reached the top spot on the PS3 chart during its second week at retail. Brütal Legend's assault of the charts was less savage. The Tim Schafer creation premiered in the seventh position behind -- really?! -- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

Source -- FIFA hat trick [Chart Track]
Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]

JoystiqFIFA 10 won't relinquish top UK sales spot to Uncharted 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendchart-trackfifa-10salesukuncharted-2Uncharted-2-Among-ThievesMon, 19 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Jack Black discusses the demon slayer's workout on Jimmy Kimmel Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/jack-black-discusses-the-demon-slayers-workout-on-jimmy-kimmel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/jack-black-discusses-the-demon-slayers-workout-on-jimmy-kimmel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/jack-black-discusses-the-demon-slayers-workout-on-jimmy-kimmel/#commentsThis week, Jack Black continued his bizarre Brütal Legend promotional tour with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, somewhat in character as Eddie Riggs. As we watched Black upturn furniture and do clap push-ups, we started to realize that he's getting rather a lot of mileage out of that muscle suit. And then we couldn't help but wonder: what do you think that suit smells like right now?

And how do you even clean the inside of a foam rubber muscle suit? Do you use household cleaners of some kind, or does the film industry have a specially formulated solution just for cleaning bodysuits?

... Oh, right, the Kimmel segment's after the break, in four parts.

Continue reading Jack Black discusses the demon slayer's workout on Jimmy Kimmel Live

JoystiqJack Black discusses the demon slayer's workout on Jimmy Kimmel Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaElectronic-Artsjack-blackjimmy-kimmelMicrosoftXbox-360Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tim Schafer dishes out Brutal Legend strategies (not in real time)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/tim-schafer-dishes-out-brutal-legend-strategies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/tim-schafer-dishes-out-brutal-legend-strategies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/tim-schafer-dishes-out-brutal-legend-strategies/#comments
Look, if you're going to listen to anyone's advice on how to play Brütal Legend's Stage Battle mode online, it should probably be the dude who opened the Necronomicon and uttered those magical words that summoned the disc from the depths of hell, right? Designer Tim Schafer has posted a fairly comprehensive set of tips for the game's strategic battles on the Double Fine blog, hoping to alleviate the frustrations of those still getting the hang of commanding the armies of rock.

It feels a little defensive -- and is keen to point out how leaping into the action with Eddie Riggs sets the game apart from a traditional real-time strategy title -- but it might just help smooth out some of the rock opus' rockier segments. And hey, isn't it nice of a developer to offer a helping hand? We asked the Demon's Souls designers for advice and they sent over a wrestler to break our spines.

JoystiqTim Schafer dishes out Brutal Legend strategies (not in real time) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaelectronic-artsMicrosoftmultiplayerstage-battletim-schaferXbox-360Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Brutal Legend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/metareview-brutal-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/metareview-brutal-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/metareview-brutal-legend/#comments
Our take on Tim Schafer's Brütal Legend was less-than-brutal, but what about all those other reviewers out there tapping away at their keyboards -- what did they think? Turns out that Schafer maintains his visionary golden boy status, even if his latest game hits a couple sour chords.
  • IGN (90/100): "Brütal Legend isn't quite perfect and there is room for improvement (it's a little short, side quests are repetitive...), but when the credits roll you'll find yourself hoping for a sophomore release. Double Fine created a rich heavy metal universe and backstory full of great characters and creatures, with potential for an out-of-this-world sequel. Here's hoping Schafer and company get a chance to take us there."
  • Gamespot (85/100): "Brütal Legend is a game that continually surprises, and it does so in a genuinely fun and interesting way. And Double Fine deserves some major respect for keeping so many aspects of the game closely tied to its subject matter. Of course, Brütal Legend also has some shortcomings. The secondary missions are weak and the single-player campaign lasts about seven hours if you're not too keen on unlocking every single last shrine or secret item. In that respect, it's unfortunate that there's just not more of the good stuff, such as the on-foot missions with boss battles or more fleshed-out side quests."
  • Game Life (70/100): "Brütal Legend does a lot of things wonderfully: It's a technically adept, graphically beautiful game with a surprisingly good story and a great soundtrack. The hybrid gameplay just doesn't meet these high standards."
  • Giant Bomb (60/100): "The gameplay, as singular a combination of gameplay styles as it is, suffers from being a jack of all trades and master of none. Like most teenage metalheads, this game has got issues, but if you're willing to look past some very uneven gameplay, Brütal Legend will rock you. Hard."

Gallery: Brutal Legend

JoystiqMetareview: Brutal Legend originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaelectronic-artsmetareviewmetareviewsMicrosoftXbox-360Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joyswag: Brutal Legend and Eddie Riggs statue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/joyswag-brutal-legend-and-eddie-riggs-statue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/joyswag-brutal-legend-and-eddie-riggs-statue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/joyswag-brutal-legend-and-eddie-riggs-statue/#comments If you check your calendar of ridiculous marketing dates, you'll likely see that today is Rocktober 13th, the very date foretold by the Great Marketing Powers of EA upon which Brütal Legend would be released. [Ed: It's also Twofer Tuesday at your local pizzeria ...]. To celebrate the one-off holiday, we're giving away a copy of the game on Xbox 360 and two limited edition (only 1000 ever made) Eddie Riggs statues. The grand prize winner gets the game and the statue while the runner-up will have to make do with just the statue. To enter:
  • Leave a comment letting us who would win in a rock god free-for-all: Ozzy? Rob Halford? Lemmy?
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec which, historically, has long feared the metal.)
  • Limit 1 entry per person per day
  • This entry period ends at 7:01PM ET on Friday, October 16
  • At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive a copy of Brutal Legend on Xbox 360 ($60 ARV) and a limited edition Eddie Riggs statue ($100 ARV); and another winner to receive just the limited edition Eddie Riggs statue ($100 ARV)
  • For a list of complete rules, click here

Gallery: Brutal Legend's Eddie Riggs figurine

JoystiqJoyswag: Brutal Legend and Eddie Riggs statue originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brutal-LegendDoublefineEAElectronic-ArtsjoyswagMicrosoftXbox-360Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: Brutal Legend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/review-brutal-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/review-brutal-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/review-brutal-legend/#comments I have to start by being brutally honest with you: Brütal Legend is not the game I hoped it would be. As a huge fan of director, designer and writer Tim Schafer's body of work - especially Double Fine's debut effort, Psychonauts - I had prepared myself for a wonderfully written, laugh-out-loud funny, constantly surprising experience filled with compelling characters that would have me grinning in anticipation of where it was taking me next.

What I came away with after beating the game in about six hours (granted, I didn't embark on many of the battle- and racing-based sub-missions, but I did do quite a lot of exploring) was the opinion that Eddie Riggs is a truly awesome character, along with a sense of wonder at the fantastic - and very metal - world Schafer and crew had created. Unfortunately, I also came away with a questioning of why so much of the game felt like a b-side to the hit single that had been its first couple of hours.

Gallery: Brutal Legend (10-13-09)

Continue reading Review: Brutal Legend

JoystiqReview: Brutal Legend originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaea-partnerselectronic-artsjack-blackMicrosofttim-schaferXbox-360Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend ad commercializes Eddie Riggs for television]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/brutal-legend-ad-commercializes-eddie-riggs-for-television/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/brutal-legend-ad-commercializes-eddie-riggs-for-television/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/brutal-legend-ad-commercializes-eddie-riggs-for-television/#comments
The marketing leading up to Brütal Legend's Rocktober 13 release date (hey, that's today!) has been unlike any Tim Schafer game to date -- a steady stream of content from the game on top of the occasional live-action short. And now, Schafer's biggest project is taking the marketing machine to the boob tube (we've embedded the ad after the break, via YouTube) with a 'Hell yeah!'-laden ditty.

The bad economy paired with Brütal Legend's same-day release alongside Uncharted 2 means EA needs to get the word out. Hopefully Eddie Riggs' repeated phrase will do the trick.

[Via Wired]

Continue reading Brutal Legend ad commercializes Eddie Riggs for television

JoystiqBrutal Legend ad commercializes Eddie Riggs for television originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertisementbrutal-legendcommercialdouble-fineeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosofttim-schaferXbox-360Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend video talks about the competition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/brutal-legend-video-talks-about-the-competition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/brutal-legend-video-talks-about-the-competition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/brutal-legend-video-talks-about-the-competition/#commentsIf you're like us, you're still writhing about in agony from the last round of Brütal Legend videos unleashed upon the internet. It's okay, we had little hope things would get better -- that is, until we were handed this latest video. It's actually entirely watchable and even makes a few funny comments about the various games being released around Brütal Legend, including Assassin's Creed 2's feathered protagonist Ezio and how those night-vision goggles that come with Modern Warfare 2 aren't as awesome as slamming an axe into a demon's face. Check it out above.

JoystiqBrutal Legend video talks about the competition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaElectronic-Artsjack-blackMicrosofttim-schaferXbox-360Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Don't watch this Brutal Legend video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/dont-watch-this-brutal-legend-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/dont-watch-this-brutal-legend-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/dont-watch-this-brutal-legend-video/#comments We're going to put this up front: There's really no reason to watch these Brütal Legend videos. They were shot during a press event at the Key Club in Hollywood, during which Jack Black dressed up as -- and pretended to be -- the game's protagonist, Eddie Riggs. The videos are unequivocally groan-inducing affairs. We're sure that the idea seemed funny at the time, but it falls pretty flat in execution. It's like watching bad improv, which, we suppose, is exactly what it is.

There are a few notable tidbits in here, like Tim Schafer explaining that he didn't have the nerve to approach Jack Black for the project until he found out Black was a Psychonauts fan. Still, that one nugget -- which we've heard before -- will cost you five minutes of awful. For the truly masochistic, two more videos can be found after the break, one of Tim Schafer interviewing Jack Black, and another of Black playing Brütal Legend.

Continue reading Don't watch this Brutal Legend video

JoystiqDon't watch this Brutal Legend video originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaelectronic-artsjack-blackMicrosofttim-schaferXbox-360Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brutal Legend multiplayer mode explained in latest trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/04/brutal-legend-multiplayer-mode-explained-in-latest-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/04/brutal-legend-multiplayer-mode-explained-in-latest-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/04/brutal-legend-multiplayer-mode-explained-in-latest-trailer/#comments So, you've had a little trouble understanding the ins and outs of Brütal Legend's expansive multiplayer mode. Don't be embarrassed -- it's a little difficult to wrap your mind around. Fortunately, Double Fine recently released a trailer explaining the rules, regulations and terms of victory of the epic multiplayer skirmishes in Tim Schafer's heavy metal brainchild. Watch the training video above, and start studying up on your stage-smashing tactics.

As a side note, if Double Fine doesn't call this multiplayer mode "GwarCraft," we might just boycott the game.

Gallery: Brutal Legend multiplayer



JoystiqBrutal Legend multiplayer mode explained in latest trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbrutal-legenddouble-finegwarcraftMicrosoftmultiplayervideoXbox-360Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tim Schafer lends some LOLs to Fallon on Late Night]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/03/tim-schafer-lends-some-lols-to-fallon-on-late-night/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/03/tim-schafer-lends-some-lols-to-fallon-on-late-night/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/03/tim-schafer-lends-some-lols-to-fallon-on-late-night/#comments
That's it, folks -- the game industry has finally made it into the bigtime! With Brütal Legend's dark overlord Tim Schafer appearing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon leading up to the game's October 13 release (video found after the break), it's become clear to us that we've finally made it. What more could we ask than one of the game industry's greats appearing on a late night television show? Next thing we know, editors of Joystiq sister site Engadget will be appearing on Fallon and Halo will have its own soda! Yeah, right, like that will ever happen.

[Via Kotaku]
[Image credit]

Continue reading Tim Schafer lends some LOLs to Fallon on Late Night

JoystiqTim Schafer lends some LOLs to Fallon on Late Night originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-finejimmy-fallonlate-night-with-jimmy-fallonMicrosoftpctim-schaferXbox-360Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Tim Schafer on Jimmy Fallon tonight, Rocktober 2nd]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/psa-tim-schafer-on-jimmy-fallon-tonight-rocktober-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/psa-tim-schafer-on-jimmy-fallon-tonight-rocktober-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/psa-tim-schafer-on-jimmy-fallon-tonight-rocktober-2/#comments
Late Night host Jimmy Fallon continues fulfilling his pledge to be as inclusive of video games as other forms of entertainment tonight by welcoming onto his set Tim Schafer, creator of Brütal Legend (you might have heard of it). We imagine the interview will focus mostly on why Schafer decided to make a heavy metal-themed game, but we also have a sneaking suspicion the gaming legend may have some serious funny up his sleeve. (Going on past experience.)

The episode with Double Fine's founder will air at 12:37 a.m. ET/PT on NBC, so set those TiVos and magic video tape boxes accordingly.

JoystiqPSA: Tim Schafer on Jimmy Fallon tonight, Rocktober 2nd originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddouble-fineeaea-partnerselectronic-artsjimmy-fallonMicrosoftrocktobertim-schaferXbox-360Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:40:00 EST