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Brutal Legend not appearing at E3 09 Jul, 2008, 11:18 / 13 comments

By Thrik


Contrary to earlier reports, those hoping to see Brutal Legend shown at this year's E3 will be disappointed — it isn't happening, according to MTV.

The delay's supposedly a result of the publisher, Vivendi, who you may have heard are in the process of merging with the venerable Activision and will weirdly become known as Activision Blizzard.

Reassuringly, there're apparently no issues with the development status of the game. It's still being produced, and Schafer hopes there'll be a new media release shortly after E3 once the publisher merger is more of a memory. We're probably talking months rather than weeks here, of course!

It's looking increasingly likely that the 2008 release date will end up falling into 2009, sadly.

UPDATE: Tim reveals the reason behind this decision.
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13 Comments

  • Capn_Nacho on 09 Jul, 2008, 17:43…
    Just in case you guys haven't seen it: (from Double Fine's rather frequently updated "About" page)

    "The currently-announced platforms for Brütal Legend are the XBOX 360, and the PlayStation 3... No one ever said there WASN'T going to be a PC version."

    It's taking some really blind optimism to keep my hopes as high as they are, but I'm still running on the assumption that I won't have to buy a console to play Tim's new game. It worked with Psychonauts...
  • Udvarnoky on 09 Jul, 2008, 17:52…
    Didn't the boxed PC version of Psychonauts sell like, a copy though?
  • jp-30 on 17 Jul, 2008, 11:39…
    I bought two!1!!
  • Ascovel on 09 Jul, 2008, 18:18…
    Let's hope that was just the effect of some incidental mass brainwashing.

    Maybe Insecticide will proove there's still a PC market for this kind of games.
  • The Tingler on 09 Jul, 2008, 22:09…
    I think everyone who bought the PC version lived in Europe. I know I did. I got a really cool T-Shirt with it though, so that's a double plus!
  • Dirk on 09 Jul, 2008, 22:17…
    I envy you!
    I only got hold of the DVD case version.
  • The Tingler on 09 Jul, 2008, 12:26…
    I think it was always quite predictable about the release date slipping into next year, especially after how many times Psychonauts slipped.

    I don't have a problem as long as this game's as good as their last. Although I might complain if a PC version isn't made...
  • Thrik on 09 Jul, 2008, 12:38…
    The PC is generally a very unprofitable system to develop for, with piracy and having to account for any number of hardware types sucking up a huge amount of cash.

    Vivendi would probably get more sales and fans by diverting whatever funds it'd take to produce a PC version into marketing the game.

    I'll be very surprised if we see a PC version. It's so costly these days that developers are increasingly not bothering. Unless it's a first-person shooter or a real-time strategy game it's probably not going to appear. :~
  • Ascovel on 09 Jul, 2008, 16:43…
    Piracy isn't limited to the PC paltform, although it's probably quicker & easier for PC games. However, in the age of internet it also means free marketing for the games, which isn't so bad. :)

    I'd say, the lack of PC versions is not the consequence of costs being larger than profits, but just how much more marketable console games seem to be these days. It's the clients' choice mostly.
  • The Tingler on 09 Jul, 2008, 16:51…
    It's sad, but you're both pretty much right. Which is a pity, as I for one generally prefer to play my games on PC. Especially for the long-term benefits. What would've happened if Psychonauts had never been made backwards-compatible for the 360? I'd have to dig out my Xbox every time I wanted to play it. Oh, wait, I don't, I have it on PC. Yay.
  • Ascovel on 09 Jul, 2008, 17:31…
    Other great things about the PC version of Psychonauts are that it's clearly the best looking one and that it's available for free to download from GameTap.
  • Thrik on 09 Jul, 2008, 18:45…
    Yeah, don't get me wrong I'd love a PC version. It was my platform of choice for Psychonauts, too. I just know the harsh reality of PC gaming these days, and make a habit of lowering expectations as much as possible. :~
  • The Tingler on 09 Jul, 2008, 22:08…
    I know, it's sad. Sniff.