Activision sues to halt Jack Black game

[jw]

Activision sues to halt Jack Black game
Company says developer failed to deliver 'Legend'

Jack Black voices the main character in 'Brutal Legend.'

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By MARC GRASER

Jack Black's future as a "Brutal Legend" is being threatened.Activision has filed a lawsuit against videogame developer Double Fine Prods. that may prevent Electronic Arts from releasing "Brutal Legend" in October.
The videogame publisher claims that Double Fine missed a key deadline for "Brutal Legend" last year during its development and then set up the game with rival EA when it needed $7 million more and an additional nine months to finish it.
But Activision said in a lawsuit filed in the Santa Monica Courthouse, that it had never relinquished the rights to the game, in which it had already invested $15 million to develop. It also wasn't paid back any money Double Fine was given to produce the game.
Company will suffer "irreparable harm" and lose not only sales from the game but also revenue from downloadable content, in-game advertising, merchandise and other opportunities if the release isn't stopped, Activision said in the filing.
But suit is intended to keep close rival EA from adding that kind of coin to its coffers, as well.
Double Fine, launched by games vet Tim Schafer in 2000, also produced the popular "Psychonauts" actioner.
"Brutal Legend" was one of the more high-profile properties that was shown off at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Original property, which Creative Artists Agency helped set up for Black, features the thesp as a heavy metal roadie who is transported to a mythical ancient world where he is called upon to fight evil.
EA is treating the game as a major tentpole for the company, making it one of the few titles that was promoted on the side of the convention center this week. It was also heavily showcased at EA's press conference and booth on the show floor.
EA is not a named party in the lawsuit. Company declined to comment.
Activision, which is behind the popular "Tony Hawk" and "Call of Duty" games franchises, also declined to comment.

source: VB

[Goodintentions]

ugghh here we go whos gonna pay in the end ?? us gamers who will lose out on what promises to be an awesome game

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Things of this happen quite often in the gaming industry. It is just a shame that a game such as this is going though this bs. Activision should've gave them more money since they probably have over a billion now thanks to Cal of Duty sales instead of letting them go to another developer for the $. This could've been avoided if both parties weren't idiots. Nonetheless this could go either way as far as the ruling goes for the future of this game.

[Goodintentions]

the more i think about this one the more it is sounding like " oooh wait we dropped this game but now its gaining peoples attention ..maybe it will be a hit ... now we want it back " cra p

[fsavoie]

unnamed EA source told the trade magazine, "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."

Very funny quote!!

[AikonEnt]

Originally Posted by Goodintentions

the more i think about this one the more it is sounding like " oooh wait we dropped this game but now its gaining peoples attention ..maybe it will be a hit ... now we want it back " cra p

I was thinking something similar. This game's been floating around for ages, yet strangely this lawsuit comes up after a big showing at E3 when it looks like it's going to be a major player. Funny that.

[Goodintentions]

i hope this doesnt hold hte game up and has a fast resolution as this has been one of my most watched games for the last year plus ..

[Easywolf32]

What a stupid looking game anyway....Wouldnt play that if you paid me.

[BlackMamba]

all I know is that Year One is going to be hilarious. Jack Black's delivery of "bring her back to your hut" to Michael Cera was perfect.

[PH3AR]

Thats funny....



...jw i LOVE your new avatar

[krazyclown]

Originally Posted by Goodintentions

the more i think about this one the more it is sounding like " oooh wait we dropped this game but now its gaining peoples attention ..maybe it will be a hit ... now we want it back " cra p

this makes me sick they did not want it now it looks like its going to be good there mad In one of my game magazines dont rember what one get a lot the presedent of the company Boby dont know last name said they dropped brutal legand and ghostbusters because we cant see them being a yearly gameing franchise what an A** now that EA have it and it looks like its gona be big they want to block it

[Xerios]

i consider anything jack black has done to be less then subpar.. =P save for Kung Fu Panda.. all he is, is Andrew W.K of acting

[Goodintentions]

its tim schaefer's involvement that makes this game NOT jack blacks ..

[Sweetstache]

F*** Activision! if they go through with this I will never buy another one of their products again for the rest of my life - and I mean that with the utmost sincerity