Vivendi sues Brutal Legend developer

The publisher formerly known as Vivendi has filed suit against Double Fine Productions to prevent the release of Brutal Legend this October.

Vivendi - now Activision Entertainment Holdings, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard - claims that Double Fine missed key deadlines and failed to deliver Brutal Legend on time, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Furthermore, Vivendi states that publishing rights were never relinquished to EA and that the game was improperly transferred.

"Hey, if Activision liked it, then they should have put a ring on it," Double Fine boss Tim Schafer responded. "Oh great, now Beyonce is going to sue me too."

Vivendi touts irreparable harm from loss of Brutal Legend game sales as well as potential earnings from post-release DLC.

But whether right or wrong, the legal tangle may have knock-on effects for the planned 16th October Brutal Legend release.

We hope not, as Schafer's third-person action ode to rock is shaping up rather well. Head over to our Brutal Legend preview to find out more.