Ever since Activision surpassed Electronic Arts to become the biggest third-party publisher, the company has seemed committed to inheriting EA's former reputation as the almighty rotten dick of the industry. The latest bastardry attributed to the Guitar Hero publisher is its alleged blocking of Brütal Legend's release.
Brütal Legend is one of the games made "homeless" after Activision felt like decimating Vivendi. Designed by cult game maker Tim Schaffer, Brütal Legend is an action-adventure title about a rock star who commands armies of headbangers and roadies.
According to sources, Activision is being "an impediment" to the game's release and is "blocking the process." Why Activision would do this, outside the obvious reason of them being arseholes, is currently unknown. Developer Double Fine does believe, however, that Activision is deliberately trying to make the publishing process of Brütal Legend as difficult as possible.
Why would Activision want to stop Brütal Legend from being published? Do they want money, or are they just trying to hoard IP? We don't know for sure, but what is very clear is that Activision should probably go and die in a fire. Oh, and stop copying Rock Band.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:41 AM on 10.30.2008
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also- is that a bisley painting?
So now, Double Fine wants their game to get out, they need to find a new publisher. They aren't free agents, though. Activision has a chokehold on the rights and wants as much money as they can get.
Well, if word gets out (true or not) that Doublefine thinks Activision is a bunch of cockmongrels (and I wouldn't blame them if they truly thought that)... Activision is probably
going to give Double fine a big ol' counter-fuckyou by squatting on the rights.
That's how Activision is making it hard. They aren't actively blocking the migration; They're just sitting on their lazy, golden ass until some other publisher makes it worth their while to care
I hope Activision doesn't take your source's comments seriously.
Yes, Activision is a bunch of cunts, but you still have to buy'em a beer if you want any pussy from them. _Afterwards_ you can tell all your buds that they were rubbish.
Also, Rock Band has always copied Guitar Hero. Just because you add more tin cans to the tin can group doesn't mean you still didn't steal the idea for a tin can group.
The reason Activision won't publish it it's not something they can make a ton of quick, low quality sequels and milk into oblivion. This is why they kept the Spyro, Crash, and Ice Age properties and dropped Brutal Legend, Riddick, and Ghostbusters (among others).
By the way, anyone hear anything about "Wet" recently? That game kind of got lost in the shuffle and I haven't really heard anything about it since the acquisition.
A shame these two companies, who were once awesome, have become greedy douchebags of the video game industry.
There is a pretty good bit of info about the concept. GameInformer did an in-depth article on it a while back when it was their cover story. There's more info available, but that article alone was enough to move this to the top of my want list.
I can also understand how someone without my background in the game's musical inspiration might be unmoved, but that's just down to personal prejudices methinks.
To any gamer who has followed Schaffer's career, having his name attached is enough to garner a good deal of anticipation.