A hearing is scheduled July 30 on a motion by Activision to block the game's release.
Double Fine's countersuit contends Activision's lawsuit was filed to hurt the company and the game, and that it was involved in unlawful business practices and a conspiracy to protect "Guitar Hero" sales.
Activision'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," the lawsuit claims.
Activision said in a statement that Double Fine's claims are "meritless and, in fact, Activision has every intention of exercising its legal right as Brutal Legend's publisher to release the game."
Double Fine was developing "Brutal Legend" for Vivendi Universal Games, which is now Activision Entertainment Holdings Inc.
But Double Fine's suit claims Activision never showed interest in the game and canceled it in 2008 after it acquired Vivendi Universal Games. That was after an effort to convert the game into a "Guitar Hero" sequel failed, the suit claims.
Double Fine said in a statement it intends to fight for the survival of "Brutal Legend," which has been heavily promoted at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo and on gaming Web sites.
On Saturday, July 25, the Fallen Earth team will host a unique stress testing event, the Texas Invasion: A Clan Challenge. In the Texas Invasion: A Clan Challenge, players in Fallen Earth have been asked to help fortify the Grand Canyon Province and defend against invading Texans. Seeking out encampments of the Texans, players can scavenge valuables, kill invaders or craft to gain points. The player with the most points claims the title, “Defender of the Province,” with a special prize pack.
But GAPP will allow World of Warcraft to open up for "internal testing" while the content changes are still in progress, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing an unnamed GAPP official.
Players who already have accounts will be allowed to play the game starting late next week, but new players will be barred from signing up until the game gets final clearance, the report said. NetEase will not be allowed to charge subscription fees during that period, which is meant to ensure a smooth transition of user data from the operator switch, the official was cited as saying.
It was not immediately clear if NetEase would conduct the partial relaunch, which the report only said would be permitted. Blizzard and NetEase did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
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Bullet
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Link: | Top 10 Evil Geeks in the Movies. |
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Man burst into flames after Taser strike. Thanks
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Explanation for HIV vaccine failure eludes researchers. Oldest UK television discovered. Thanks Digg. Mammoth Telescope to Be Built in Hawaii. |
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How Media Would Cover the Moon Landing If It Happened Today? Do you suffer from Information Overload Syndrome - IOS? Massive Aquarium. |
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