Activision/Blizzard refused to publish Brutal Legend. Threatens to sue EA to keep them from publishing.

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
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Link - Activision just hit my arsehole list. First, after Activision and Blizzard merged, they dumped this game and others because they didn't think they could be titles they milk with sequel after sequel after sequel.

Think the drama over "Brutal Legend" is over? Think again.

It turns out that Activision Blizzard is under the impression it still has publishing rights to the game. And it?s threatening to sue developer Double Fine and new publisher Electronic Arts as a result.

(Some background for anyone who hasn?t followed this whole drama for the past year: Double Fine, developer of the critically acclaimed but underperforming ?Psychonauts,? set up ?Brutal Legend,? an action game set in the world of heavy metal that stars Jack Black, at Vivendi Games. Then last year Vivendi Games merged with Activision to form Activision Blizzard. The newly merged company, led by Activision execs, declined to pick up a number of Vivendi?s projects, including, it appeared, ?Brutal Legend.? Then in December, Electronic Arts announced that it had reached a deal with Double Fine and would release the game next fall.)

Now Activision Blizzard has written a letter to EA (and possibly Double Fine) informing them of its legal concerns. According to two sources familiar with ActiBlizzard?s position, the publisher believes that it was still in negotiations with Double Fine and that the EA deal is invalid.

Does that mean ActiBlizzard wants ?Brutal Legend? for itself? Nope. I?ve been told it doesn?t think the game has the potential to be the kind of mega-profitable, ?Call of Duty?-size franchise that it looks for these days.

So what does it want? A good guess would be money in exchange for giving up its publishing rights. That is what it received from Atari for ?Ghostbusters? and ?The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena,? for instance.

Double Fine?s position, however, appears to be that it owns the rights to ?Brutal Legend? and that somehow in the merger process, whether because there?s no longer a Vivendi Games or because the original fall 2008 publishing date passed and Activision didn?t express interest in finding a new one, it's allowed to find a new publisher.

An Activision Blizzard rep declined to comment. But EA has responded with its claws bared, giving me this rather pointed response:
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.

Me-ow.
 

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,604
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Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
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Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....
 

Slick5150

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2001
8,760
3
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Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....

EA had nothing to do with the creation of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, or Team Fortress 2..

Valve doesn't need the financial support of EA like smaller developers do. Therefore, EA or no EA, those games would still have come out.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
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Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....

EA had nothing to do with the creation of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, or Team Fortress 2..

Valve doesn't need the financial support of EA like smaller developers do. Therefore, EA or no EA, those games would still have come out.

EA entered into a publishing agreement with Valve. EA is the publisher for those games.
 

Slick5150

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2001
8,760
3
81
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....

EA had nothing to do with the creation of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, or Team Fortress 2..

Valve doesn't need the financial support of EA like smaller developers do. Therefore, EA or no EA, those games would still have come out.

EA entered into a publishing agreement with Valve. EA is the publisher for those games.

Yes, I'm well aware of that. As my post references. But Valve developed the games entirely on their own. They didn't have EA's financial backing so the games would still have been made.

 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....

EA had nothing to do with the creation of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, or Team Fortress 2..

Valve doesn't need the financial support of EA like smaller developers do. Therefore, EA or no EA, those games would still have come out.

EA entered into a publishing agreement with Valve. EA is the publisher for those games.

Yes, I'm well aware of that. As my post references. But Valve developed the games entirely on their own. They didn't have EA's financial backing so the games would still have been made.

Yes, but Maximillian complained of the "tide of crappy EA made/published games." I gave a mixed list of good games that are either developed or published by EA.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
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Obviously Blizzard paid something for the rights to publish the game, and it's understandable that they'd want to get that back. It sounds like Double Fine is trying to double dip by getting Blizzard to probably cover all or the majority of the development costs, and then get more money from EA. It disgusts me that Activision Blizzard canceled quality games because they couldn't turn them into franchises, so nothing would please me more than if there was a clause in Double Fine's contract that would let them find another publisher if Vivendi didn't publish the game.
 

Saga

Banned
Feb 18, 2005
2,718
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I wonder why I didn't see the evil that is Blizzard so long ago.
 
Apr 17, 2005
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Originally posted by: mugs
Obviously Blizzard paid something for the rights to publish the game, and it's understandable that they'd want to get that back. It sounds like Double Fine is trying to double dip by getting Blizzard to probably cover all or the majority of the development costs, and then get more money from EA. It disgusts me that Activision Blizzard canceled quality games because they couldn't turn them into franchises, so nothing would please me more than if there was a clause in Double Fine's contract that would let them find another publisher if Vivendi didn't publish the game.

good point. if activision just wants their money back and it doesn't violate the terms of the contract then they're well within reason to sue for their money back. but like you said, i hope its in the contract that they can go to someone else if activision is going to publish.
 

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,604
15
81
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....

EA had nothing to do with the creation of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, or Team Fortress 2..

Valve doesn't need the financial support of EA like smaller developers do. Therefore, EA or no EA, those games would still have come out.

EA entered into a publishing agreement with Valve. EA is the publisher for those games.

Yes, I'm well aware of that. As my post references. But Valve developed the games entirely on their own. They didn't have EA's financial backing so the games would still have been made.

Yes, but Maximillian complained of the "tide of crappy EA made/published games." I gave a mixed list of good games that are either developed or published by EA.

So theyve published some valve games... if they didnt someone else would have. EA also publish a lot of complete garbage. Typically from their own studios.

Mirrors edge's quality is debateable...
 

Runes911

Golden Member
Dec 6, 2000
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Originally posted by: Saga
I wonder why I didn't see the evil that is Blizzard so long ago.

We are talking about Activision not Blizzard. Blizzard is merged with Activision but its Activision who is doing this.
 

Saga

Banned
Feb 18, 2005
2,718
1
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Originally posted by: Maximilian

So theyve published some valve games... if they didnt someone else would have. EA also publish a lot of complete garbage. Typically from their own studios.

Mirrors edge's quality is debateable...

Debatable my ass, Mirror's Edge is an abomination.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: Saga
Originally posted by: Maximilian

So theyve published some valve games... if they didnt someone else would have. EA also publish a lot of complete garbage. Typically from their own studios.

Mirrors edge's quality is debateable...

Debatable my ass, Mirror's Edge is an abomination.

It got good reviews. :confused: I liked the demo.
 
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
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Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Whatever. Activision is quickly becoming the EA of 5 years ago, and EA, IMO, is becoming somewhat respectable again.

EA is the one who is trying new IP's (Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Army of Two, Skate, etc). Activision is now the one who is getting rid of anything they can't make yearly sequels of, and is really milking the gaming industry for all it's worth. Can't say I blame them too much, but Activision is now the bad guy here.

Oh, and you won't get Starcraft IV, because with Activision in the picture now, they are splitting Starcraft 2 into 3 different SKU's that will most definitely take 3-plus years to release.
 

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,604
15
81
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Whatever. Activision is quickly becoming the EA of 5 years ago, and EA, IMO, is becoming somewhat respectable again.

EA is the one who is trying new IP's (Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Army of Two, Skate, etc). Activision is now the one who is getting rid of anything they can't make yearly sequels of, and is really milking the gaming industry for all it's worth. Can't say I blame them too much, but Activision is now the bad guy here.

Oh, and you won't get Starcraft IV, because with Activision in the picture now, they are splitting Starcraft 2 into 3 different SKU's that will most definitely take 3-plus years to release.

There will be more starcraft games, splitting SC II up was a great choice, of course only a true starcraft fan would appreciate it. 3 new starcraft games instead of just 1... thats all that needs to be said about that.

Mirrors edge, as i said the quality of that is debateable, dead space was ok but run of the mill, army of two sucked and i never played skate. Every one of blizzards games are fun, and good quality. How you can prefer EA over bliz is just astounding... theyre not even in the same league...
 
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Whatever. Activision is quickly becoming the EA of 5 years ago, and EA, IMO, is becoming somewhat respectable again.

EA is the one who is trying new IP's (Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Army of Two, Skate, etc). Activision is now the one who is getting rid of anything they can't make yearly sequels of, and is really milking the gaming industry for all it's worth. Can't say I blame them too much, but Activision is now the bad guy here.

Oh, and you won't get Starcraft IV, because with Activision in the picture now, they are splitting Starcraft 2 into 3 different SKU's that will most definitely take 3-plus years to release.

There will be more starcraft games, splitting SC II up was a great choice, of course only a true starcraft fan would appreciate it. 3 new starcraft games instead of just 1... thats all that needs to be said about that.

Mirrors edge, as i said the quality of that is debateable, dead space was ok but run of the mill, army of two sucked and i never played skate. Every one of blizzards games are fun, and good quality. How you can prefer EA over bliz is just astounding... theyre not even in the same league...

First, it's now Activision Blizzard, not just Blizzard, so quit focusing on their titles.

Second, I'm not talking about quality, I'm talking about taking the gaming industry to new heights by trying out new things and advancing the industry.

Third, I never once said I prefered EA over Blizzard, you're the one who is playing the Blizzard-better-than-all card. We're not discussing who is the best developer.

Fourth, splitting up Starcraft 2 is a money-making scheme. While that's all fine and dandy, I'm just pointing it out for what it is.

Fifth, EA was always hated because they churned out the same shit year after year, and still do to a point. But they've been breaking out of their mold in the last year or two, while Activision Blizzard is moving towards a business model that focuses on nothing buy yearly sequels.

You can have your second and third iterations of Starcraft 2 for $50 apiece, you can have all 6 Guitar Hero SKU's this year (I'm done with GH), you can have more Tony Hawk games (they only skipped last year because Skate whipped it's ass), you can have Call of Duty sequel after sequel (well, I'm definitely buying MW2, but I skipped W@W because of sequel-itis), you can have your James Bond yearly sequels that they are trying to start doing, etc etc etc.

My point is that Activision Blizzard is not any better than EA at this point as a business model goes, in fact, they are getting worse. I'll almost guarantee you that people will start seeing this in a year or two. Meanwhile, I'll keep playing the Brutal Legends and Ghostbusters and other stuff they want to drop because they can't monetize it heavily (their words, not mine). I understand their need as a business to make money, but it doesn't mean I have to support them 100% and buy the same shit year after year.
 

Kur

Senior member
Feb 19, 2005
677
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0
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Slick5150
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yes, let's never again see the likes of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, potentially Brutal Legend....

EA had nothing to do with the creation of Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, Portal, or Team Fortress 2..

Valve doesn't need the financial support of EA like smaller developers do. Therefore, EA or no EA, those games would still have come out.

EA entered into a publishing agreement with Valve. EA is the publisher for those games.

Yes, I'm well aware of that. As my post references. But Valve developed the games entirely on their own. They didn't have EA's financial backing so the games would still have been made.

Yes, but Maximillian complained of the "tide of crappy EA made/published games." I gave a mixed list of good games that are either developed or published by EA.

Valve has already mentioned that they use EA as a means to get the games at the retail level, that's it. Other then that they don't need EA and could survive without them.
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
7,326
2
76
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yeah, sue EA because they're trying to publish what might be a good game (if Psychonauts is any indication, but you're just too retarded to even consider that) because Activision Blizzard just took a big dump on the developers and the game itself. All hail Activision Blizzard for being dicks! :roll: Oh wait, they're making your precious...I forgot. :confused:

Seriously, man...what the hell is wrong with you?
 

Spicedaddy

Platinum Member
Apr 18, 2002
2,305
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91
So Activision/Blizzard financed the development (through Vivendi), then decided the game was crap and they wouldn't publish it. DoubleFine turns around and sells it to EA, and now Activision/Blizzard wants some money.

Sounds reasonable to me... And the game will most likely suck.
 

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,604
15
81
Originally posted by: hans030390
Originally posted by: Maximilian
Good, hope they sue EA for all they can get, that can help fund starcraft IV and stem the tide of crappy EA made/published games.

Yeah, sue EA because they're trying to publish what might be a good game (if Psychonauts is any indication, but you're just too retarded to even consider that) because Activision Blizzard just took a big dump on the developers and the game itself. All hail Activision Blizzard for being dicks! :roll: Oh wait, they're making your precious...I forgot. :confused:

Seriously, man...what the hell is wrong with you?

God how thick are you. Might be a good game hahaha. All i gotta say is

C&C
Spore
Simcity societies
Any EA sports game...

All total trash. You might like it though because you seem like a total moron who dosent know what constitutes a good game.
 
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Originally posted by: Maximilian
God how thick are you. Might be a good game hahaha. All i gotta say is

C&C
Spore
Simcity societies
Any EA sports game...

All total trash. You might like it though because you seem like a total moron who dosent know what constitutes a good game.

The fact that you use terms like "total trash" shows me that you're the one who is thick (i.e. fucking ignorant).

Sigh......another closed minded, ignorant fanboy idiot to ignore in the console gaming forums.
 

Dumac

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,391
1
0
I love that some people think that Activision is somehow better than EA. :p
 

oznerol

Platinum Member
Apr 29, 2002
2,476
0
76
www.lorenzoisawesome.com
Originally posted by: blurredvision
Originally posted by: Maximilian
God how thick are you. Might be a good game hahaha. All i gotta say is

C&C
Spore
Simcity societies
Any EA sports game...

All total trash. You might like it though because you seem like a total moron who dosent know what constitutes a good game.

The fact that you use terms like "total trash" shows me that you're the one who is thick (i.e. fucking ignorant).

Sigh......another closed minded, ignorant fanboy idiot to ignore in the console gaming forums.

It has taken you way too long to come to this conclusion.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
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Originally posted by: Spicedaddy
So Activision/Blizzard financed the development (through Vivendi), then decided the game was crap and they wouldn't publish it. DoubleFine turns around and sells it to EA, and now Activision/Blizzard wants some money.

Sounds reasonable to me...

Yeh, I have to agree with Vivendi on this one.