14 DAY TRIAL // Brutal Legend is one of the biggest new projects coming out this fall, guaranteeing to take players on a heavy metal-themed ride through a thrilling land of fantasy. Set to feature rock stars like Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne or Lemmy, the game will definitely make a nice sum of money for Double Fine, its developer, and EA, its publisher.
But seeing as how the title was dropped by Activision because it didn't have sequel potential, the large corporation got a bit jealous on EA and Double Fine, and filed a lawsuit against the two companies, in which it wanted the game to be delayed.
While the developer counterattacked with another lawsuit, in which it revealed that Activison was just scared that Brutal Legend would steal customers from its Guitar Hero franchise, the Los Angeles judge handling the case revealed yesterday that he was not inclined to delay the release of Brutal Legend.
The judge, Craig Karlan, didn't deny that a positive ruling might be made, but has now delayed the case for next week, in order for the lawyers from the two sides to solidify their cases, and has said that a formal decision will be made at that moment. “I can't say there's a likelihood of success here,” Karlan said about Activision's chances, but then added that: “This is going to be a close call.”
Brutal Legend is now entering the final stages of development, with the team from Double Fine polishing up all of the gameplay and getting ready to deliver the final version to Electronic Arts on August 8, in order for the replication process to begin. That is why the judge will certainly reach a verdict until that moment.
Hopefully though, for music and gaming fans, things will turn out to be alright for Double Fine and EA, and everyone will decide for themselves whether they will buy Brutal Legend or any other game coming out around that time frame.