Execs wanted "country music" Brütal Legend

By Johnny Minkley Published 6 May, 2009

But Guitar Hero kept rock dream alive.

Tim Schafer has revealed that publishing executives asked him to change heavy metal action-adventure Brütal Legend into a "hip-hop" or "country music" game, back when it was originally pitched.

It was only after the success of Guitar Hero, which turned metal into big business for the games industry, that Double Fine Productions was able to get its action-adventure starring Jack Black signed. Otherwise it could have been Billy Ray Cyrus. Imagine.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Schafer explained: "When we were first pitching Brütal Legend, it was before the first Guitar Hero game was announced and we were like, 'There's this game in a heavy metal world', [and they said], 'We like the game, but could we change it to be a hip-hop game, or maybe country music?'

"There's nothing against that music, but it doesn't have a lore of heavy metal, in terms of a certain kind of mythology that leads to epic, medieval battles."

That, of course, changed once everyone started throwing money at Activision to pretend-fret-wank on toy guitars. "After Guitar Hero came out and [Black Sabbath's] Iron Man was one of the first songs on it, it seemed to expose a whole new generation to that kind of music," Schafer said. "So by the time we were pitching the game for a second time there was a lot more interest in it being exactly what it is, which is a brutal heavy metal action-adventure."

Activision originally signed Brütal Legend, but dropped it following the publisher's merger with Vivendi. EA then promptly stepped in and snapped up the game for itself.

"The pitching process is terrifying," Schafer admitted. "Doing something creative involves a certain amount of risk and launching a new IP is a very big investment. [EA] were interested in doing both of those things and that's how we knew that was the right place to go."

Our full chat with Schafer, in words and moving pictures, is available elsewhere on Eurogamer. Brütal Legend's out on PS3 and Xbox 360 on 16th October.

Picture of Johnny.

About Johnny Minkley

Eurogamer TV's Johnny Minkley is a veteran journalist with a lifelong passion for games and the games industry. He uses Twitter more than most people use air.

Read more articles from Johnny by visiting the Johnny Minkley archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • kangarootoo #1 3 years ago

    Rock music was ALWAYS potentially big business for the games industry, but we didn't know because we fear change, and it took Guitar Hero to show everyone else what could be realised from that potential.

  • daz_john_smith #2 3 years ago

    When was country music ever popular from a videogame perspective? Suits are such retards.

  • Domovoi #3 3 years ago

    I love how they completely overlooked the fact that neither country nor hip-hop have this elaborate fantasy universe associated with them, which is the entire point of the game.

  • vegard #4 3 years ago

    guitar hero re-introduced kids to metal and rock? wow, i'm really not in touch with the kids these days i guess.


  • DDevil #5 3 years ago

    Country Western wouldn't have suited the umlauts in the title ;-)

  • Eraysor #6 3 years ago

    I basically became a metalhead thanks to V-Rock on Vice City and Guitar Hero. I already liked that sort of music, but those two games inspired me to expand my music intake considerably.

  • menage #7 3 years ago

    I don't even believe country was a serious option even for execs, where the hell is the demographic for that? I think Schafers fooling with us.

    @Domovoi

    Hiphop sometimes has, just look at the Wu-Tang stuff, ninja's, clans, etc.
    Edited by 1 at 06/05/09 @ 14:36

  • paulf #8 3 years ago

    Execs Tried To Destroy The Metal, But The Metal Had Its Way
    Country Then Tried To Dethrone The Metal, But Metal Was In The Way
    Hip Hop Tried To Destroy The Metal, But Metal Was Much Too Strong

    You Can't Kill The Metal
    The Metal Will Live On

  • Kazzahdrane #9 3 years ago

    People need to remember that Country is HUGE in North America. There's also a ridiculous notion that all Country is about horses, beer and ex-wives. That's like saying all rock is about being angry at your Dad. Check out Brad Paisley if you don't believe me - incredible Country singer/guitarist.

    But yeah, Country and the devil horns don't quite go together.

    Roll on Rocktober!!!

  • vegard #10 3 years ago

    @Kazzahdrane

    "But yeah, Country and the devil horns don't quite go together."

    don't tell that to Hank Williams III!

  • Markusdragon #11 3 years ago

    "Activision originally signed Brütal Legend"

    No, it was Sierra, who were then owned by Vivendi. When the merged Activision and Vivendi ripped Sierra apart like some sort of IP-filled pinata, they grabbed all of the IPs they could own outright, and left Brütal Legend, Ghostbusters and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand to flounder.

  • Eraysor #12 3 years ago

    The Devil did go down to Georgia, though.

  • kangarootoo #13 3 years ago

    @beemoh

    Its pretty typical journalistic practice for that kind of article. Check any mag that sends a journalist somewhere (such as a travel guide) and it will be written as if by someone else, but it will be the journalist they are talking about that actually wrote the words.

    Don't ask me why.

  • dominalien #14 3 years ago

    It's more "professional" that way. Gives the impression of impartial reporting of the news, de-personalises the article.

  • NoQuarter #15 3 years ago

    £1,000 says this Brutal Legend Jack Black character will be an unlock in Rock Band 3.

  • Xerx3s #16 3 years ago

    "Tim Schafer has revealed that publishing executives asked him to change heavy metal action-adventure Brütal Legend into a "hip-hop" or "country music" game, back when it was originally pitched. "

    I'm telling you, most multinationals are actually run by monkeys who are pressing random buttons.

  • metalangel #17 3 years ago

    A country game, where you have a fanciful adventure though a fantasy western world inspired by the music, would be great.