Just in case Rocktober wasn’t rocktastic enough for players, Schafer and crew have already announced a free DLC pack for insanely awesome metal-rocker game Brütal Legend, fittingly titled Tears of the Hextadon map pack.  The folks over at Double Fine seem to be taking their multiplayer business pretty seriously because this DLC will offer two new maps where metalheads can duke it out for rock godhood.  In addition, anyone who downloads the new map packs will get an ax.  A real, metal and wood ax sent to everyone’s home for purposes best left to the user.  Wait, I’m getting an update on the story as I type this.  Yes…no…okay.  The ax is actually an in-game item.  Well Tim, color me disappointed.  That could have been the greatest DLC package ever.  It still is because its Brütal Legend, but now it has a chance to be toppled from its downloadable throne (by future Brütal Legend DLC obviously) .

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How does one review a game like Brutal Legend?  There’s been so much hype, such anticipation, and more than a little uncertainty surrounding this game that its propensity to please everyone has been more difficult than usual.  Tim Schafer, the game’s designer, has been a gamer’s darling for a long time.  His work on the original The Secret of Monkey Island is like a timeline dot in the history of gaming, and his solo ventures, Grim Fandago and Psychonauts, have both won games of the year awards from various publications.  With Brutal Legend, he wanted to create a world where all these heavy metal bands singing about killing orcs and marching to war could find an imaginary home.  He did create that, the world is immense and epic in every way, but did he create a game that would live up to his reputation?  Did he create a Legend? 

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If you’re one of the many who has been anxiously following the Brutal Legendsaga from the wars over publishers to the lawsuits, through the videos with Jack Black and Tim Schafer, then you’re probably relieved that the release date, “Rocktober” 13th , is almost here.  If you are a PS3 owner who chose to pre-order from a non-GamesStop retailer, you may be bemoaning the fact that you’ve had to wait another week to try out the awesomeness that is the demo. So for those of you who may have missed out or have your storage space at a premium, here’s my take on the Brutal Legend demo.

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EA and Double Fine Productions has announced in a recent press release that the Brütal Legend Demo will officially live as of today at 11PM, but only for those who preordered the game from popular games retailer Gamestop. Players who can get into the demo will be treated to the entire first stage of Brütal Legend, setting the stage for Eddie Riggs’ tale and the various mechanics set forth in-game.

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I think it goes without saying that anyone not stoked to the core of their being by Double Fine Productions’ upcoming action/adventure title Brutal Legend is a pansy. And if there is one thing pansies don’t like, its besting challenges and being rewarded handsomely. If you happen to be a pansy, you can skip this article; otherwise, check out the goals to be conquered and achievements/trophies to be gathered after you pick up Brutal Legend.

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After recently hearing the relieving news that Brutal Legend will most likely stay on schedule with its “Rocktober” release date, the internet has been abuzz about the highly anticipated title.  Today, a sneaky someone at Kotaku snagged the (since pulled) track list for the games soundtrack, included in detail after the break.

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Gamers that may still have been concerned about the release of Brutal Legend can now rest easy: a settlement has been reached between Double Fine and Activision. Activision knew that Superior Court Judge Craig Karlan had told attorneys he would “deny Activision’s request and allow the game to be released on time.” Then, a previously scheduled hearing that was planned to allow Activision to speak their mind about why the game shouldn’t be released was canceled. Through the magical powers of deduction, a settlement has clearly been achieved. Details will surely be forthcoming.

According to sources, Electronic Arts will be publishing Brutal Legend. Here’s hoping that the October 13th release date will be upheld.

[Sources: Activision, Double Fine Settle Over Brutal Legend Dispute, Lawsuit over "Brutal Legend" Game Settled]

According to previous news, Activision had filed a suit against Brutal Legend developer Double Fine over who had the right to publish Tim Schafer’s latest video game. With a metaphorical extended middle finger, Double Fine has now countersued Activision, stating that Activision simply wanted to “kill Brutal Legend” in order to protect what is arguably its most popular IP – the Guitar Hero franchise.

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I don’t know about you, but I’m psyched for Brutal Legend, Double Fine’s cool action game featuring a Metal Roadie transported into the world of Heavy Rock, and starring Jack Black as the voice of the lead character.  The game is scheduled to be released on PS3 and 360 on “Rocktober” 13, but breaking news today may mean the game will be delayed, if released at all.

Today, according to Yahoo News, Activision filed suit against Double Fine, claiming that the company had no right to transfer the publishing to EA, and that they (Activision) supposedly have a $15 million investment in the game, and a valid contract to release it.

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Brütal Legend, the upcoming game from Double Fine Productions, is set to rock the house (literally) in mid-October. The game is centered around Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black) being mysteriously transported into a haggard realm of fantasy and metal. Needless to say, given the obvious cues to Iron Maiden and various hard rock album covers, Brütal Legend is going to have one gnarly soundtrack to back up its very gnarly setting. (more…)

No one I know is more hyped for Brütal Legend than I am. The game promises to bring the twisted imaginings of Tim Schafer to my television set, and to me, that alone is worth $60. Now as we all know, GameStop loves money. They want you to buy Brütal Legend from them. In order to entice the masses, GameStop is offering a Tenacious D themed guitar for use in the game to anyone who pre-orders before October 13th, the video games release date. Hit the jump for more info on this rocking DLC.

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Despite rumors that Double Fine’s Rock adventure Brutal Legend may never reach completion (after being dropped by Activision), EA has announced today the game will be hitting store shelves October 13 in North America and the 16th in Europe.

The game’s protagonist, Eddie Riggs, is famously voiced by actor and comedian Jack Black, and follows the Heavy Metal roadie as he journeys through a mythical world created from the covers of various hard rock album covers.

Tim Shafer, Double Fine’s president and brainchild behind such cult hits as Psychonauts and Grim Fandango, commented, “How cool is it that EA threw down the dough to have the name of an entire month changed to Rocktober?”

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