Double Fine countersues Activision in Brutal Legend row
Developer determined that Activision won't "kill" its game to 'protect' Guitar Hero
Brutal Legend developer Double Fine Productions is to countersue publisher Activision in the latest twist in the long-running dispute over the Jack Black game.
Activision, who previously launched a suit to prevent rival publisher Electronic Arts from releasing the game, has now been targeted by the developer, who alleges that the company is blocking the title from seeing the light of day in a bid to protect its Guitar Hero franchise.
The lawsuit claims that the publisher's "purpose is not only to cancel Brutal Legend, but to kill it completely so that Guitar Hero would not have to face the competition," reports AP.
The game itself was originally to have been published by Vivendi Games before the company was merged with Activision to form Activision Blizzard last year.
Double Fine claims that the new publishing entity wasn't interested in the title subsequently, and cancelled it - although Activision's suit contends that if EA were allowed to publish the game it would be seriously harmed.
But following a strong showing at this year's E3, the developer is determined to get the game on store shelves.
"Now that we've found a publisher and the game is getting sensational coverage, they want to stop its release," wrote Double Fine's COO Caroline Esmurdoc in a statement. "Double Fine's countersuit is a demonstration of our intention to fight for this game - Activision will not kill Brutal Legend."