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[Father_Brain]

http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_...ng-to-the-wii-double-fines-not-making-it.html

The Interwebs are abuzz today over Double Fine honcho Tim Schafer's rather cryptic comment when asked by 1UP about the rumor that there will be a Wii version of his upcoming heavy metal action game "Brutal Legend." "We are making an Xbox 360 and a PS3 version of Brutal Legend," he said.

He's telling the truth. Just not the whole truth. Double Fine is making "Brutal Legend" for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. And Electronic Arts is engaging another developer to make a version of the game for the Wii (most likely with Double Fine consulting). I'm not sure who that developer is, but several good sources have confirmed for me that it's in the works.

I also don't know when "Brutal Legend" for Wii will be released, but I'd be surprised it's it's this fall along with PS3 and 360, given that I understand development started fairly recently. But I wouldn't be surprised if it follows the model of the upcoming "Dead Space: Extraction" and comes out a year or so after the original PS3/360 version

Strategically, this is a no-brainer. EA has said its turnaround plan involves fewer, bigger franchises and a focus on the no. 1 console in the market: Wii. If "Brutal Legend" is one of those franchises (don't tell Activision!), it makes total sense EA wants to get it on Nintendo's platform. Especially since the game's main character carries a big-ass axe that it could be fun to swing with the Wii-mote.

An EA rep declined to comment.

Cue the hate and various bitter, snarky comments from Link.

 

[Kenka]

I want MOAR Tim Schäfer.

 

[SecretBonusPoint]

I'd put Brutal Legend right in the same "doooooooooooomed" pot as Madworld, but it'll probably have more mass market appeal due to Jack Black.

 

[Xav]

Crappy Wii spin off confirmed.

 

[Cow Mengde]

I guess it'll be a guided first person experience, then?

 

[AceBandage]

Crappy Wii spin off confirmed.

Brutal Legend: Jack Black's Rail Shooting Adventure

 

[MisterHero]

moar liek Brutal Ballad mirite

 

[nincompoop]

Why bother? It won't make them any money unless it sells 2-3 million copies.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

Im imagining some really cool guitar riff motion attacks that result in explosions and deaths.

 

[Eteric Rice]

Oye, I'll never understand having spin-offs on a system without the actual game.

It's annoying.

 

[Aaron Strife]

It's funny how when a third party game is announced for PS3/360, it sparks positive discussion and interest. Then when a third party game is announced for Wii, cue Imagine/Dead Space jokes and hilarious photoshops.

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

lol

 

[grandjedi6]

No Double Fine, no buy.

 

[Cow Mengde]

It's funny how when a third party game is announced for PS3/360, it sparks positive discussion and interest. Then when a third party game is announced for Wii, cue Imagine/Dead Space jokes and hilarious photoshops.

Because even Wii fans don't trust 3rd parties anymore.

 

[AceBandage]

It's funny how when a third party game is announced for PS3/360, it sparks positive discussion and interest. Then when a third party game is announced for Wii, cue Imagine/Dead Space jokes and hilarious photoshops.

Ah, I was just joking around myself.
I'm hoping that it's a true action game like the PS3/360 version, but different enough that it allows me to double dip.

 

[Eteric Rice]

Because even Wii fans don't trust 3rd parties anymore.

Truth.

We're kind of like that guy that keeps getting struck by lightning in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

 

[farnham]

doesnt surprise me a bit

Crappy Wii spin off confirmed.

so you played it

 

[grandjedi6]

Truth.

We're kind of like that guy that keeps getting struck by lightning in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Was it not Nintendo fans who were the most arduous that the Wii would be a supplement to the HD systems, before the Wii came out? All that has happened is Nintendo fans greatest dream coming true!

 

[Barrett2]

Tenacious Rail Shooting D Legend

 

[Eteric Rice]

Was it not Nintendo fans who were the most arduous that the Wii would be a supplement to the HD systems, before the Wii came out? All that has happened is Nintendo fans greatest dream coming true!

I don't remember that.

Then again, I wasn't here before the Wii was released.

 

[Testicular Sound Express]

this is gettign rather infuriating. Its such a slap in the face.

 

[Bebpo]

Considering that it's not exactly pushing the hardware, I don't see how outsourcing the port could do much damage if the writing, voice and graphical assets are the same. Better to let DF focus on finishing it up instead of taking manpower away for the port.

 

[legend166]

The more money made for Double Fine, the better.

I think this game is going to need all the sales it can get, so this is good. Is it still using the Guitar Hero controller? Makes complete sense to release it on Wii if so, considering it has the largest base to draw from.

 

[Rlan]

Psychonauts on PS2 was done by a different developer too, right? It's not out of the ordinary.

 

[AceBandage]

Tenacious Rail Shooting D Legend

Revolution X for the new generation would actually be awesome.

 

[MisterHero]

Was it not Nintendo fans who were the most arduous that the Wii would be a supplement to the HD systems, before the Wii came out? All that has happened is Nintendo fans greatest dream coming true!

but but that was only so Sony could be dethroned! Not me though, I always believed in Nintendo. Wii and DS compliment each other nicely.

Seeing as Sony did it to themselves and the balance of power restored, the "Wii60 alliance" had since been disbanded.

 

[pakkit]

For once, all I want IS a direct port.

 

[Speevy]

Psychonauts on PS2 was done by a different developer too, right? It's not out of the ordinary.

I don't think it was, but I may be wrong.

 

[Hero of Legend]

For once, all I want IS a direct port.

Well we pretty much got that with Dead Rising, which showed us that direct downports = bad.

Capcom claimed the Wii version was ground-up, but I don't entirely believe that.

I don't think it was, but I may be wrong.

I think it was Budcat (Blast Works) that did the PS2 version.

They're owned by Activision now (who ironically passed on Brutal Legend when they were taking in Sierra's IPs), so I doubt Budcat would be allowed to make the Wii version.

Then again, they're making Our House Party! for Majesco, so perhaps they're not restricted to games by Activision only?

 

[Scrubking]

So the Wii is the best place to sell games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but for this EA will go the usual outsourced third rate developer route? Shift to Wii my ass.

Well we pretty much got that with Dead Rising, which showed us that direct downports = bad.

Capcom claimed the Wii version was ground-up, but I don't entirely believe that.

DR Wii was anything but a direct port. And for the last Fing time DR Wii proves nothing as far as Wii porting goes!

 

[Nirolak]

Capcom claimed the Wii version was ground-up, but I don't entirely believe that.

I think it had to be actually. Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop is built on the RE4 Wii Edition engine (which I imagine is a slightly upgraded version of the RE4 GameCube engine), not the MT framework.

Of course, I guess they could have tried to just adapt all the engine calls in the 360 gameplay code to the Wii engine instead but I'm not sure if that would have been less effort or not.

 

[markatisu]

Well we pretty much got that with Dead Rising, which showed us that direct downports = bad.

Capcom claimed the Wii version was ground-up, but I don't entirely believe that.

Dead Rising suffered from not having polish or the time taken to make it look good. The mechanics of the game/gameplay are sound.

Despite the smaller number of zombies they did get harder as the game progressed, and the controls worked out good. Dead Rising CTYD was not bad because it was a Wii game, it was just a bad game in general.

If you want to talk about ports talk about COD WaW Wii which is a port of the CoD4 engine, and worked pretty damn well (Activision just did what they did in all their 1st time Wii games like GHIII and omitted some of the features)

 

[Cohsae]

I just want a PC version. That's how I played Psychonauts, and it was good.

 

[farnham]

Well we pretty much got that with Dead Rising, which showed us that direct downports = bad.

Capcom claimed the Wii version was ground-up, but I don't entirely believe that.

1. it is ground up because they used another engine for Dead Rising Chop till you drop
2. the game did not receive the warm reception the 360 version got. but considering its a 2006 title and that it is on a far inferior system you could say that cavia did a splendid job.. its nowhere near a bad game.. just average

 

[donny2112]

I consider this good news. Double Fine doesn't want to develop on Wii? Fine. EA will hire an outside developer (giving a smaller developer some good work to do) to create the Wii version. As long as it's a competent port, the Wii still gets the game, and the smaller developer might get tagged to do another Wii port down the line. In my opinion, this is a good start.

 

[Sadist]

I'll just wait for the first screens + videos. Some people jump to conclusions as usual.

 

[MarkusRJR]

1. it is ground up because they used another engine for Dead Rising Chop till you drop
2. the game did not receive the warm reception the 360 version got. but considering its a 2006 title and that it is on a far inferior system you could say that cavia did a splendid job.. its nowhere near a bad game.. just average

Tose, not Cavia. Cavia did RE: UC and is currently doing RE: DSC.

 

[Fularu]

The rail shooter meme is getting old prety fast.

 

[Haunted]

No Double Fine, no buy.

Came in here to post that. 'Consulting' is not good enough when there are other versions available made by the devs themselves.


That, plus the probable late release will lead to middling sales, proving once again that the Wii isn't a place for mature core games.

Spoiler

Calling it now, mark my words. Simultaneous releases are absolutely crucial.

edit: if it's however a completely different game set in the same universe (akin to DS:E), all bets are off again.

 

[polyh3dron]

Brutal Legend: Axe Til You Grind

 

[Link]

Cue the hate and various bitter, snarky comments from Link.

I think others have already covered it fairly well.

 

[Sadist]

I consider this good news. Double Fine doesn't want to develop on Wii? Fine. EA will hire an outside developer (giving a smaller developer some good work to do) to create the Wii version. As long as it's a competent port, the Wii still gets the game, and the smaller developer might get tagged to do another Wii port down the line. In my opinion, this is a good start.

Well, they should have started taking this approach last year in my opinion. I'm not complaining at the moment (two nights, three cool announcements) but it seems developers are finaly catching up. At first sight.

 

[markatisu]

Well, they should have started taking this approach last year in my opinion. I'm not complaining at the moment (two nights, three cool announcements) but it seems developers are finaly catching up. At first sight.

Well at least now we are getting game development only a few months off from the original, not 2-3 years after it began on other systems.

But the Wii can never win at GAF so the response should not surprise anyone

 

[Haunted]

Hey, I think I'm a pretty positive guy

Spoiler

Red Steel 2 believe!

but even I can see the writing on the wall with wording such as this.

If screens and videos come out and it appears to actually be good, I'll gladly eat crow for doubting the project.

Seeing as Sony did it to themselves and the balance of power restored, the "Wii60 alliance" had since been disbanded.

The Wii60 alliance just didn't have a competent common enemy so it disbanded quickly.


edit: 'tis all a rumour for now anyway

 

[Sadist]

I know Haunted, I know. I'm maybe to positive

 

[MadOdorMachine]

Came in here to post that. 'Consulting' is not good enough when there are other versions available made by the devs themselves.


That, plus the probable late release will lead to middling sales, proving once again that the Wii isn't a place for mature core games.

Spoiler

Calling it now, mark my words. Simultaneous releases are absolutely crucial.

edit: if it's however a completely different game set in the same universe (akin to DS:E), all bets are off again.

So the PS2 version was no good because DF didn't make it? I'll agree that it was inferior to the Xbox and PC version graphically, but that's already expected for Wii games. I think BL is a great addition to Wii's library and fits more with it's userbase than MadWorld and HotD: Overkill.

 

[Haunted]

So the PS2 version was no good because DF didn't make it? I'll agree that it was inferior to the Xbox and PC version graphically, but that's already expected for Wii games. I think BL is a great addition to Wii's library and fits more with it's userbase than MadWorld and HotD: Overkill.

Never played the PS2 version of Psychonauts, so I can't comment on that.

I'm hoping it's awesome and fantastic and equal, or at least close in quality and scope to the PS360 Brütal Legend that DoubleFine's developing.

 

[Link]

Even if the quality is somehow equal, the fact that it would be coming out a "year or so" later kills any chance the game has of selling anyway.

 

[The Hermit]

on rails?

 

[GitarooMan]

So the Wii is the best place to sell games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but for this EA will go the usual outsourced third rate developer route? Shift to Wii my ass.

Uh, Double Fine made the game for 360/PS3 and EA is just publishing. Double Fine likely doesn't want to spend time downporting so EA is getting someone else if this is true. I don't see how this has anything to do with EA purported "shift to Wii."