View source for Brütal Legend




{{Infobox video game
| title        = Brütal Legend
| image        = BrutalLegendCover.jpg
| developer    = [[Double Fine Productions]]
| publisher    = [[Electronic Arts]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/56338 |title=Brutal Legend Rocks Out With Electronic Arts |last=Goldstein |first=Maarten |date=December 12, 2008 |publisher=Shacknews |access-date=December 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907230732/http://www.shacknews.com/article/56338/brutal-legend-rocks-out-with |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br />Double Fine Productions <small>(PC)</small>
| engine       = 
| platforms    = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[Xbox 360]]|[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|[[Linux]]|[[macOS]]}}
| released     = {{Collapsible list
  | title      = {{nobold|{{Start date|2009|10|13}}}}
  | '''PS3, Xbox 360'''<ref name="release">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23293|title=EA Announces October Release Date For Brutal Legend|first=David|last=Jenkins|date=April 21, 2009|access-date=April 21, 2009|website=[[Gamasutra]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509071711/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23293|archive-date=May 9, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
  | {{Video game release|NA|October 13, 2009|AUS|October 15, 2009|EU|October 16, 2009}}
  | '''Windows'''
  | {{Video game release|WW|February 26, 2013}}
  | '''macOS, Linux'''<ref name="humble bundle">{{cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/7/4305926/double-fine-humble-bundle-brutal-legend-psychonauts-mac-linux-pc | title = Double Fine Humble Bundle brings Brutal Legend, Costume Quest and more to Windows, Mac and Linux | website = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | date = May 7, 2013 | access-date = May 7, 2013 | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606215613/http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/7/4305926/double-fine-humble-bundle-brutal-legend-psychonauts-mac-linux-pc | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
  | {{Video game release|WW|May 7, 2013}}
  }}
| genre        = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[real-time strategy]]
| modes        = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| director     = [[Tim Schafer]]
| producer     = Gabe Miller
| designer     = Erik Robson
| programmer   = Nathan Martz
| artist       = [[Scott Campbell (artist)|Scott Campbell]]
| writer       = Tim Schafer
| composer     = [[Peter McConnell]]
}}

'''''Brütal Legend''''' is an [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] video game with [[real-time strategy]] elements created by [[Double Fine]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]]. The game was released during October 2009 in North America, Europe, and Australia. Though ''Brütal Legend'' was originally to be published by [[Vivendi Games]] prior to its merger with [[Activision]], Activision dropped the game from its portfolio after the merger. It was later picked up by Electronic Arts, though Activision and Double Fine brought counter-lawsuits against each other over publishing issues. The issues were settled out of court. Later, Double Fine announced a port of the game for [[Microsoft Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]], which was released in February 2013. [[macOS]] and [[Linux]] versions of the game were made available as part of the [[Humble Bundle]] in May 2013. A physical collector's edition for Windows, macOS, and Linux was released by [[IndieBox]] in October 2014.

[[Tim Schafer]], the game's creative director, was inspired to create the game by his own past musical experiences. The game features the character of Eddie Riggs (voiced by and modeled after [[Jack Black]]), a [[roadie]] who is transported to a fantasy world inspired by the artwork of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] album covers. Eddie becomes the world's savior, leading the down-trodden humans against a range of supernatural overlords using a [[battle axe]], his [[Gibson Flying V|Flying V]] guitar that can tap into the magical powers of the world, and a customizable [[hot rod]].

The game, a hybrid of the [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] and [[real-time strategy]] genres, includes Stage Battles in both the single-player and multiplayer mode, where the player must command troops to defeat their foes while defending their own stage. In addition to Black, the game features voices of heavy metal musicians including [[Lemmy|Lemmy Kilmister]], [[Rob Halford]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Lita Ford]] and other celebrities such as [[Tim Curry]], as well as more than one hundred metal songs selected by Schafer for inclusion in the game.

''Brütal Legend'' was generally well received by game reviewers, praising Schafer's vision and writing of the heavy metal–inspired world, and the performances of the voice cast, particularly Black and Osbourne. Some felt that the hybrid gameplay of action and real-time strategy did not mix well, however, blaming console control limitations and missing features normally found in games of either genre.

==Gameplay==
''Brütal Legend'' is a third person [[action-adventure game]] incorporating [[real time strategy]] elements.<ref name="1up preview"/> The game uses an [[open world]] that [[Tim Schafer]] has described as being approximately {{convert|40|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} in area.<ref name="1up preview"/> The player controls the protagonist Eddie Riggs, a [[roadie]] who one day finds himself transported into a heavy metal–themed fantasy world. Eddie acquires three tools that are used for combat and transportation: a broad axe called "The Separator", his [[Gibson Flying V|Flying V]] guitar "Clementine" from his own world which has the ability to cast magic spells in the heavy metal world, and a [[hot rod]] that Eddie builds called "The Druid Plow", a.k.a. "The Deuce".<ref name="1up preview"/> Spells, referred to as "Solos", from Clementine are performed by playing a [[minigame]] akin to the note-matching aspect of ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' or ''[[Rock Band]]'' over a brief [[guitar riff]]; however, Eddie cannot use the metal generated by Clementine constantly, as prolonged usage of the guitar will cause it to [[Thermal shock|overheat]], and the player will have to wait for a cool-off period before using the guitar's power again.<ref name="joystiq preview"/> Eddie may also find more solos hidden throughout the world, ranging from support to offensive spells. The player can spend in-game currency called "[[Lighter|Fire Tributes]]", earned from completing missions, at the Motor Forge to gain new abilities and upgrades for each tool.<ref name="gi sept 09">{{cite magazine | title = Brutal Legend | magazine = [[Game Informer]] |date = September 2009| pages = 48–51 }}</ref> These tools can be used in combination with each other to take out Eddie's foes; for example, the player can use his guitar Clementine to create [[pyrotechnics]] to launch a foe into the air and follow up by attack it with the Separator axe. In a case of a specific [[boss (video games)|boss fight]], the player must use the Deuce hot rod to lure the boss to a spiked gate held up by counterweights, and then play the "Earthshaker" move on Clementine to destroy the weights and sever the creature's head.<ref name="1up preview"/>

Within the open world, the player can use a map and the Deuce's turn signals to guide them towards either story-advancing missions or side missions. Side missions include hot-rod races against a demon, defending Eddie's allies from a pending attack, or helping a cannon operator spot his targets. There are about 23 main missions in the story with 30 side missions that the player can optionally take.<ref name="1up preview"/>  The player can also explore the game's world to find statues bound in leather or chains that can be freed to gain a health boost for Eddie or to reveal part of the game's backstory, and can look through special telescopes at vistas or complete certain jumps to earn additional Fire Tributes. The player can also find monuments they can raise that unlock an additional heavy metal song from the game's soundtrack that can be played on the Deuce's radio, "The Mouth of Metal"; the player can further customize its set list with songs they have been rewarded with or have collected.<ref name="1up preview"/><ref name="eurogamer livechat"/>

[[File:Bl-stage-battle.jpg|thumb|right|The single-player and multiplayer modes of ''Brütal Legend'' feature Stage Battles where players command armies to defend their concert stage while attacking others' stages.|alt=Screenshot showing a giant concert stage dominating the background, accented by gothic elements such as towering spires; the foreground shows several forces converging on the stage, including a flying winged creature, two people mounted on bear-like creatures, a giant brute, and several other ground forces.]]
Several main story missions of the game are Stage Battles based on [[real time strategy]] elements. The player, while still in control of Eddie, is required to defend a giant stage where new allies will spawn, holding out until a specific objective is completed. The player creates an army for attacks by building merchandise booths on "fan geysers" through Clementine's magic. Once enough fans are collected, the player can summon different allies, each consuming a specific number of fans, or upgrade their stage to allow them to produce more powerful allies. A character known as Mangus acts as the "[[Utility sound technician|sound guy]]" to help in the construction of these units and stage upgrades, and also warns the player of enemy attacks.<ref name="joystiq preview">{{Cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/joystiq-impressions-redux-brutal-legend/ | title = Joystiq impressions redux: Brutal Legend | first = Kevin | last = Kelly | date = May 14, 2009 | access-date = May 15, 2009 | publisher = Joystiq | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090516232156/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/joystiq-impressions-redux-brutal-legend/ | archive-date = May 16, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Once the player has gathered their army, they can then seek out and attack their opponents.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/brutal-legend-battle-of-the-bands-with-axes-real-5254842 | title = Brutal Legend: Battle of the Bands... With Axes... Real Axes | first = Brian | last = Crecente | publisher = Kotaku | date = May 14, 2009 | access-date = May 14, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090516051248/http://kotaku.com/5254842/brutal-legend-battle-of-the-bands-with-axes-real-axes | archive-date = May 16, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Eddie is able to control the entire army to follow, attack, or defend a point, and can use specialized squads of specific units to perform certain tasks, such as having a group of [[headbanging|headbangers]] use their headbanging to destroy statues, hoisting a [[groupie]] onto his shoulders to use her weapon for focused long-range attacks, or mounting allied vehicles or beasts to take control and provide support or extra firepower.<ref name="1up preview"/> The player can also use Eddie directly in combat during these battles. Ultimately, Eddie transforms into a winged demon who can fly above the battlefields to issue orders or lay out attacks.<ref name="joystiq preview"/> Spells in Eddie's arsenal can help control the performance of his armies, such as temporarily boosting their attack skills or creating a rally flag which troops will gather at, while others hinder the performance of the enemy faction by removing enemy buffs or preventing the creation of enemy units for a short time. Each of the different units, including special allies that Eddie meets in the game, has a special co-op move they can perform with Eddie; for example, Eddie's first ally, Ophelia, can be tossed at foes by Eddie in the style of the Fastball Special. These co-op moves are also available outside of Stage Battle missions.<ref name="1up preview"/>

The game has a multiplayer mode, described by Schafer as "your typical head-to-head, battle of the bands scenario. But with axes."<ref name="1up preview"/> The multiplayer modes are team-based and play in the same manner as the single-player Stage Battles, with team sizes from one-versus-one to four-versus-four.<ref name="eurogamer livechat"/><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/brutal-legend/1004771p1.html | title = Brutal Legend's Multiplayer Skirmish Mode | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | date = July 17, 2009 | access-date = July 17, 2009 | first = Bryn | last = Williams | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090718213714/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/brutal-legend/1004771p1.html | archive-date = July 18, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Each team selects from one of three factions which affect what resources and troops they can summon, and are tasked with defending their stage from attack by the other team. The three factions available are Ironheade, mostly human-based troops visually inspired by classic heavy metal led by Eddie Riggs; The Drowning Doom, with more [[Gothic metal|goth]]/[[black metal]]–inspired undead led by Drowned Ophelia; and The Tainted Coil, with [[industrial metal]]–inspired and [[BDSM]]/religion-themed evil demons controlled by Doviculus.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1013424p1.html | title = Brutal Legend Multiplayer Hands-On | website = IGN | date = August 13, 2009 | access-date = August 14, 2009 | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090816102936/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1013424p1.html | archive-date = August 16, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Each player controls a single main avatar who has the same abilities as in the main game for combat and magic spells and can also fly about the map, but also is in control of troops that they may summon from the team's shared resources—fans as generated by fan geysers across the map.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1176 | title = Brutal Legend Multiplayer Impressions: Whoa! | first = Nick | last = Breckon | date = August 13, 2009 | access-date = August 15, 2009 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090815131342/http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1176 | archive-date = August 15, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Different types of troops are available, costing various numbers of fans to summon, with the potential to upgrade to improved units through different routes. The number and types of troops that can be summoned is limited by a cap to prevent either team from becoming too overpowered. All of the troops can be engaged by the player to initiate various "Double Team" moves as with the single player game. The game can also be played by a single player with computer-controlled opponents at one of five difficulty levels.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/08/13/brutal-legend-multiplayer-is-an-rts-that-works/ | title = Brutal Legend multiplayer is a console RTS that works | first = Gieson | last = Cacho | date = August 13, 2009 | access-date = August 15, 2009 | newspaper = [[San Jose Mercury News]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090816060716/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/08/13/brutal-legend-multiplayer-is-an-rts-that-works/ | archive-date = August 16, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

==Synopsis==

===Characters===
''Brütal Legend'' follows the story of Eddie Riggs (voiced by [[Jack Black]]), who is "the world's best [[road crew|roadie]]" for "the world's ''worst'' '[[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]' band", Kabbage Boy.<ref name="1up preview"/><ref name="kotaku kabbage boy">{{Cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/brutal-legend-introducing-kabbage-boy-5360804 | title = Brutal Legend: Introducing Kabbage Boy | first = Mike | last = Fahey | date = September 16, 2009 | access-date = September 16, 2009 | publisher = Kotaku | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090922185917/http://kotaku.com/5360804/brutal-legend-introducing-kabbage-boy | archive-date = September 22, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Much of the game takes place in an unnamed world inspired by heavy metal music, created by, according to the game's mythology, Ormagöden, The Eternal Firebeast, Cremator of the Sky, and Destroyer of the Ancient World.<ref name="1up preview">{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3173567 | title = Brutal Legend (Xbox 360) | first = Thierry | last = Nguyen | date = April 3, 2009 | access-date = April 3, 2009 | website = [[1UP.com]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121105204939/http://www.1up.com/previews/bruumltal-legend | archive-date = November 5, 2012 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> In this alternate world, the human race is enslaved by a race of demons, led by Doviculus, Emperor of the Tainted Coil (voiced by [[Tim Curry]]). Doviculus is assisted by his [[glam metal]] human minion, General Lionwhyte (voiced by [[Rob Halford]] and based on [[David Bowie]] with the name being an allusion to glam metal band [[White Lion]]) whose hair is so big "and luscious" that he uses it to fly, flapping it like a pair of broad wings.<ref name="usatoday characters 2"/> Leading the fight against Doviculus are a small band of human resistance fighters with whom Eddie joins forces: Lars Halford (voiced by Zach Hanks), his sister Lita (voiced by [[Kath Soucie]]), and Ophelia (voiced by [[Jennifer Hale]]), whom Eddie takes a romantic interest in. Their group is later joined by the stage manager and tour bus driver Mangus (voiced by [[Alex Fernandez (actor)|Alex Fernandez]]), the bass-playing healer Kill Master (voiced by and patterned after [[Lemmy|Lemmy Kilmister]]),<ref name="usatoday characters 1"/> the motorcycle-riding Fire Baron (also voiced by Halford, as well as visually inspired by him too),<ref name="usatoday characters 2"/> and the leader of the Zaulia amazons, Rima (voiced by [[Lita Ford]] and based on [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] characters).<ref name="usatoday characters 2"/> Also supporting Eddie is the Guardian of Metal (voiced by [[Ozzy Osbourne]], who also lent his appearance to the character) that assists in upgrading his equipment.<ref name="usatoday characters 1"/>

===Plot===
During a gig for Kabbage Boy, Eddie is crushed by falling scenery while trying to save a member of the band; his blood lands on his belt buckle, in reality an amulet for Ormagöden. The stage is transformed into Ormagöden, who kills the band and takes the unconscious Eddie to the heavy metal world. Awaking in the Temple of Ormagöden, Eddie meets with Ophelia while fighting Doviculus' forces, and is instantly attracted to her. They discover writings left by the Titans that Eddie is able to comprehend, and build a hot-rod, the "Deuce", that they use to escape the Temple (confronting a giant lamprey-like monster) and travel to Bladehenge, the base for the small human resistance force led by Lars and Lita. When they meet Eddie and learn he can understand the Titans' messages, they see him as a prophetical "Chosen One", though a 'dispute about the translation' leaves them unsure if he will be the savior or destroyer of the world.<ref name="gi sept 09"/><ref>{{cite news | url = http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/05/04/tim-schafer-takes-us-on-a-tour-of-brutal-legend/ | title = Tim Schafer takes us on a tour of Brutal Legend | newspaper = [[San Jose Mercury News]] | date = May 4, 2009 | access-date = May 4, 2009 | first = Gieson | last = Cacho | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120326033155/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/05/04/tim-schafer-takes-us-on-a-tour-of-brutal-legend/ | archive-date = March 26, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Ophelia also becomes concerned when Eddie, in the heat of battle, transforms into a winged creature, an effect Eddie decides to use to his advantage at the time.

Eddie helps Lars, Lita, and Ophelia create an army, named "Ironheade" to fight against General Lionwhyte.<ref name="1up preview"/> They successfully raid Lionwhyte's "Pleasure Tower" and defeat him. However, as they celebrate, Doviculus arrives, sending the group into hiding. Doviculus is aware of the presence of his spy "Succoria" by the smell of her blood as it was at the Temple; Eddie and his allies come to believe Ophelia is Doviculus' spy. Lars leaves his hiding spot to face Doviculus, but is quickly killed. As the Tainted Coil destroy the tower, Ironheade escapes into the nearby mountains; Eddie is forced to leave with Lita leaving Ophelia behind despite their shared love. Heartbroken, Ophelia is drawn toward the Sea of Black Tears, cursed waters that grant humans supernatural abilities at the cost of humanity. After leaping into the black waters, the Sea creates Drowned Ophelia, a dark [[doppelganger]] of Ophelia, who raises an army of other Black Tear-corrupted humans, the [[Goth subculture|goth]] "Drowning Doom". After three months, she leads an attack on Ironheade's mountain camp. Though Ironheade defeats the assault, Eddie determines they must destroy the Sea to end her threat. As they travel through exotic lands and find more allies out of the pyromanical Fire Barons and the amazonian Zaulia tribe, they come across evidence of Eddie's father, the hero known as Riggnarok in this time. It tells that Riggnarok traveled to the future to attempt to learn the secrets of the Titans to bring back to the past in the humans' ongoing fight against the demons, but never returned.

With their new allies, Ironheade manages to push the Drowning Doom back towards the Sea of Black Tears; defeated, Ophelia denies Eddie's belief that she is Doviculus' spy, again claiming that Eddie's the traitor. As they argue, Doviculus arrives and confirms that Succoria is not Ophelia, but Eddie's mother. In the past, Succoria, an even more vicious demon empress, also sought the Titans' secrets in the future. However, after discovering that [[humans]] eventually become the dominant species, Succoria fell into a deep despair. Riggnarok, who had followed Succoria through time to assassinate her, took pity on her in her misery, and the two fell in love and bore Eddie. Now in the past, Eddie's demon nature has borne out, and has also inadvertently revealed the Titans' secrets to Doviculus as well. Having no more use for Ophelia, Doviculus rips out her heart, taking her powers alongside his own and causing Ophelia to dissipate. While Ironheade battles Doviculus' forces headed by a massive monster made from the Sea, Eddie engages Doviculus in a one-on-one confrontation, which ends with the demon emperor's [[decapitation]]. As Eddie escapes the Sea, he recovers Ophelia's heart from Doviculus, containing his mother's necklace he gave her when they first met, and then proceeds to rescue the real Ophelia from the ocean floor. Ashore, they rekindle their love as Ironheade celebrates their victory over Doviculus and the Tainted Coil. Back at Bladehenge, a statue to Lars is erected, while Lita continues to lead the troops against the remaining demons. Eddie insists on maintaining his "roadie" presence, staying behind the scenes and making others look good. After he promises he is not leaving to his assembled friends, Eddie takes off to complete a few errands, with Ophelia watching as he drives off into the sunset, shedding a single black tear.

==Development==
{{Quote box | quote = "But I thought, if we were to make a fantasy game it would be cool to out-fantasy the fantasy games and go even farther. And what would be the name of something like that? And that's where the name ''Brütal Legend'' came from, because it just sounded like the hardest core fantasy thing out there." | source = [[Tim Schafer]]<ref name="eurog-interview-2009">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/brutal-legend-tim-schafer-interview | title = Double Fine's Tim Schafer | website = [[Eurogamer]] | first = Johnny | last = Minkley | date = May 6, 2009 | access-date = May 6, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090508152729/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/brutal-legend-tim-schafer-interview | archive-date = May 8, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> | width = 300px | align = right }}
Creator Tim Schafer has said that he has been a [[heavy metal music]] fan since high school, and roadies have long fascinated him.<ref name="oxm preview">{{cite magazine|title=The OXM 100|date=February 2009|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|pages=18–22}}</ref> As Schafer said in 2007, "The name was one of the very first things I thought of, over fifteen years ago. I was riding a bus, thinking about a game that would be the complete opposite of what we were working on, ''[[The Secret of Monkey Island]]'' [a [[LucasArts|Lucasfilm Games]] title released in 1990]. And ''Brütal Legend'' leapt into my head. I've been hanging on to that name ever since."<ref name="gi reveal">{{cite magazine |title=Brütal Legend|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=November 2007|page=78}}</ref><ref name="1up scheffer profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3173509|title=Tim Schafer Profile|website=[[1UP.com]]|date=March 30, 2009|access-date=April 1, 2009|first=Matt|last=Leone|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511153950/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3173509|archive-date=May 11, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The title, which he describes as sounding "like the hardest core fantasy thing out there",<ref name="eurog-interview-2009" /> makes use of the [[metal umlaut]]. The idea behind the game first came to Schafer about fifteen years prior to its release, but its core concepts did not completely come together until after the completion of ''[[Psychonauts]]'' (2005); when he presented his idea for the game to the team, they became excited at the concept and decided to make that their next title.<ref name="eurog-interview-2009"/>

[[File:Tim Schafer Art Futura 2009.jpg|left|thumb|upright|''Brütal Legend'' was based on the creative inspiration of Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine studios.]]

Part of the game's inspiration came from the fantasy worlds that the lyrics and album covers of metal bands implied but rarely made it to [[music video]]s, thus allowing ''Brütal Legend'' to "fulfill the promise" of such lore.<ref name="oxm preview"/> Schafer also credits a [[Megadeth]] roadie named Tony he once met as having given him the idea to make a game about a roadie, with the character of Eddie Riggs becoming a re-imagined version of him.<ref name="1up scheffer profile"/> Schafer had previously explored the idea of a roadie sent back in time with the character of Hoagie from ''[[Day of the Tentacle]]'', but ''Brütal Legend'' represented an opportunity to expand on it further.<ref name="gi interview">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/ec69be31-fb44-4607-a802-ed956a6482cb.htm |title=We Chat With The Mind Behind Grim Fandango, Psychonauts and Brütal Legend |first=Meagan |last=Van Burkleo |date=July 29, 2009 |access-date=July 29, 2009 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804040556/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/ec69be31-fb44-4607-a802-ed956a6482cb.htm |archive-date=August 4, 2009 }}</ref> The 2003 movie ''[[School of Rock]]'' also reminded Schafer of his idea for ''Brütal Legend'', and made him more excited to publish it.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2009/05/13/brutal-legend-we-didnt-think-wed-get-jack-black-says-schafer/ | title = Brutal Legend: We didn't think we'd get Jack Black, says Schafer | date = May 13, 2009 | access-date = May 13, 2009 | first = Patrick | last = Garrett | website = VG247 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090515004749/http://www.vg247.com/2009/05/13/brutal-legend-we-didnt-think-wed-get-jack-black-says-schafer/ | archive-date = May 15, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>  Double Fine's philosophy on game development was also another reason for ''Brütal Legend''{{'}}s creation, as Schafer has stated that his team attempts to make each game radically different from the company's previous release, contrasting ''Brütal Legend'' to ''Psychonauts''.<ref name="mtv sales">{{Cite web|url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/04/06/tim-schafer-gamers-worry-too-much-about-sales/|title=Tim Schafer: Gamers Worry Too Much About Sales|first=Stephan|last=Totilo|publisher=MTV|date=April 6, 2009|access-date=April 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409033826/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/04/06/tim-schafer-gamers-worry-too-much-about-sales|archive-date=April 9, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Schafer stated that the commercial tie-ins of ''Brütal Legend'', such as "hot babes and Jack Black", is due to this philosophy and not due to market pressures. Schafer was not concerned about the commercial success of ''Brütal Legend'', as despite poor sales of ''Psychonauts'', "as long as you make a cool game, publishers want to talk to you".<ref name="mtv sales"/> When Schafer was pitching the game before 2006, he received feedback about changing the game's style to [[hip hop]] or [[country music|country]]. He credits [[Harmonix Music Systems]] for influencing the [[rhythm game]] market through the release of the widely successful ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'' with a soundtrack that heavily emphasized metal music; with the popularity of ''Guitar Hero'', the metal approach in ''Brütal Legend'' was readily accepted.<ref name="oxm preview"/>

Schafer has pointed out that there are music term inspired attacks, such as a "Face-Melting" guitar solo, which literally will melt the foe's faces off.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/832/832903p1.html | title = Brutal Legend - Tim Schafer AU Interview | first = Patch | last = Kolan | date = November 6, 2007 | access-date = January 13, 2010 | website = IGN | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090214113705/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/832/832903p1.html | archive-date = February 14, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The metal/motorcyclist lifestyles and [[Norse mythology]] also inspired the game's open-world environments, such as amps carved into the face of a mountain, a forest where tires replace leaves, giant axes and swords piercing the ground, spandex covered temples, and mining facilities where human slaves excavated car and motorcycle parts. However, Schafer noted that they attempted to make sure that non-metal fans would be able to get the jokes as well.<ref name="oxm preview"/>

===Art design===
{{Imageframe|width=170|align=right|content=[[File:Brutal legend eddie design.jpg|170px|alt=Painted artwork, featuring a very muscular man in a jeans-vest, t-shirt, and pants, with dark glasses and cowboy hat, holding a speaker on his shoulder; three other figures in the background, dressed similarly, are also carrying speakers.]]<br/>[[File:Lemmy-02.jpg|170px]]|caption=The original character design for Eddie Riggs (top) was strongly modeled after [[Motörhead]]'s [[Lemmy|Lemmy Kilmister]] (bottom). Signature elements of Eddie's vest, crew pass, and cigarette remained part of the character redesign.}}
The art style for the game was based on the work of [[Frank Frazetta]] and inspired by heavy metal and [[rock music|rock]] [[album cover]]s.<ref name="oxm preview"/> The team only considered the addition of elements to the artwork if they felt it would be something that could be seen on such covers.<ref name="oxm preview"/> The setting includes [[hot rod]]–like engines that grow from the earth like a "V8 Truffle of Speed", with designs inspired by those of [[Ed Roth|Ed "Big Daddy" Roth]].<ref name="gdc art">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22954|title=GDC: The Art Of Brutal Legend|first=Leigh|last=Alexander|date=March 28, 2009|access-date=March 28, 2009|website=[[Gamasutra]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509190525/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22954|archive-date=May 9, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The art team wanted to avoid creating "another brown-gray game", and strove to use the wide color palettes that are associated with heavy metal art.<ref name="gdc art"/> [[Cutscene]]s in the game use the game's [[game engine|engine]], though some pre-recorded scenes from the engine have also been prepared with the help of Tasha Harris, a former [[Pixar]] employee who helped to animate character's faces during cutscenes.<ref name="gi sept 09"/><ref name="eurogamer livechat"/>

The game features over 80 unique characters in addition to the main protagonist, Eddie Riggs.<ref name="gdc art"/> Initial designs for Riggs was modeled after [[Lemmy|Lemmy Kilmister]], and though the model was changed, the signature vest, tour pass and cigarette of the character remained part of the character design.<ref name="gdc art"/> As the character continued to develop, they began to add more aspects of Black's character, an "enthusiastic fan" of music, from ''School of Rock''.<ref name="gi interview"/> Ultimately, Riggs's design came to become half Jack Black and half [[Glenn Danzig]].<ref name="oxm preview"/> The art team was able to use videos of Black's performances to add additional features to the character, such as "all his crazy eyebrow stuff he does".<ref name="gi interview"/> General Lionwhyte, who has "fabulous hair", and his minions are based on the [[glam metal]] fad of the 1980s which displaced heavy metal to the disappointment of Schafer and other development team members, and became the opponents of the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/982/982678p1.html | title = Pre-E3 2009: Brutal Legend Update | first = Daemon | last = Hatfield | date = May 16, 2009 | access-date = May 16, 2009 | website = IGN | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090518114720/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/982/982678p1.html | archive-date = May 18, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> To help create a more mature game with concepts that could be used to pitch the game, the art team created several factions that represented different parts of the heavy metal experience. Each faction had their own "exaggerated, simplified shapes and strong silhouettes" as to help distinguish each faction while also reducing the development costs.<ref name="gdc art"/> Inspirations for such factions include [[Norsemen|Nordic imagery]], [[gothic metal|goth metal]], and the artwork of [[Hieronymus Bosch]].<ref name="gdc art"/> Additional characters include headbangers, "gravediggers", and "battle nuns".<ref name="gdc art"/> As the game features over two hours of spoken dialog, the art team wants to make the characters' faces and performances stand out, creating "clean, easy-to-read faces". The team had to change from their initial cartoony textures into more detailed ones that stood out on high-definition displays while exaggerating other features of the characters.<ref name="gdc art"/>

The user interface and menus were created by Joe Kowalski, who had previously worked on similar game elements for ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'', ''[[Guitar Hero II]]'', and the ''[[Rock Band]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/creating-some-of-the-best-video-game-menus-ever-5546365 | title = Creating Some Of The Best Video Game Menus Ever | publisher = Kotaku | date = May 24, 2010 | access-date = May 25, 2010 | first = Mikey | last = Fahey | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527114145/http://kotaku.com/5546365/creating-some-of-the-best-video-game-menus-ever | archive-date = May 27, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Much of the game's interface elements used a medieval [[woodcut]] art style, and were designed to contrast well against the world's graphics. The introductory menu is presented as an interactive movie created from live action clips of Jack Black manipulating a prop [[gatefold]] [[Gramophone record|vinyl record]] album, using [[Adobe After Effects]] to provide the on-screen text, controls handling, and stitching of separate scenes into a seamless movie.<ref>{{cite video | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_ldZ6op1w | title = Recent Work: Brutal Legend | people = Joe Kowalski | date = May 7, 2010 | access-date = May 25, 2010 | format = [[Flash Video]] | medium = trailer | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130727084302/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_ldZ6op1w | archive-date = July 27, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

===Characters and voice acting===
''Brütal Legend'' includes over 35,000 lines of spoken dialog, mostly written by Schafer.<ref name="eurog-interview-2010">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/double-fines-tim-schafer-develop-interview | title = Double Fine's Tim Schafer | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = July 14, 2010 | access-date = July 14, 2010 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100716175211/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/double-fines-tim-schafer-develop-interview | archive-date = July 16, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> In addition to Black, Lemmy, [[Judas Priest]]'s Rob Halford, [[the Runaways]]' Lita Ford, and Ozzy Osbourne provide character voices for these lines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608468/story.jhtml|title='Brutal Legend': The Most Absurd Heavy Metal Game Ever?|date=April 3, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2009|first=Stephan|last=Totilo|publisher=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409070603/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608468/story.jhtml|archive-date=April 9, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58913 |title=Ozzy Osbourne Joins Brutal Legend Cast |date=June 1, 2009 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |first=Nick |last=Breckon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603051426/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58913 |archive-date=June 3, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Schafer's original vision for the game had not anticipated a celebrity cast.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> In particular, though Eddie came to resemble Black, the team had not planned on having Jack Black voice the character. After learning that Black was a fan of Schafer's previous game, ''Psychonauts'', they met with the [[actor]]/[[musician]] and recognized he was an avid [[gamer]] and metal fan and understood all the choices the team made in the game, and subsequently signed on for the [[voice acting|voice work]].<ref name="oxm preview"/> Black also performed live-action sequences as himself used for the in-game menu screens and additional promotional material.<ref name="postmortem"/> Once Black had signed up for the project, Schafer found that other artists and people involved in the heavy metal scene became very interested in participating through a [[domino effect]] and word of mouth, allowing Schafer to sign them on as voice talent or as part of the game's soundtrack.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/>

Lemmy was brought on board to play The Kill Master after Schafer and his team had developed the character's role in the story who assists Eddie by healing his allies through a giant [[bass guitar|bass]] harp on the back of a [[chopper (motorcycle)|chopper]]. The original character, a man with a top hat and beard, was considered out of place by Schafer, leading him to consider famous bass guitar players and quickly recognizing the need to have Lemmy play that role.<ref name="usatoday characters 2"/> Halford plays two characters, General Lionwhyte and The Baron. Schafer had selected Lionwhyte to capture Halford's ability to scream, and found his abilities in the studio beyond what they expected. They created The Baron character specifically for Halford, as while Lionwhyte was considered a "heavy metal [[Stewie Griffin|Stewie]] [from ''[[Family Guy]]'']", that character was the complete opposite of Halford, while The Baron captures both Halford and Judas Priest's attitude.<ref name="usatoday characters 2"/> Lita Ford voices Rima, queen of a group of "Amazon-like jungle women"; Schafer considered the similarities between the lack of clothing that Rima was designed with and Ford's outfits from the 1980s, staying true to the development teams' memories of her.<ref name="usatoday characters 2"/> Osbourne plays The Guardian of Metal who helps the player upgrade their equipment; Schafer commented that both the character and Osbourne, while dark and brooding, are "really upbeat" and "optimistic".<ref name="usatoday characters 1">{{cite news| url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2009-10-12-brutal-legend-characters_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip | title = Heavy-metal royalty help 'Brutal Legend' spring to life | work = [[USA Today]] | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date =October 13, 2009 | first = Mike | last = Snider }}</ref>

[[File:Jack Black 2006.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Eddie Riggs's character is partly modeled after [[Jack Black]], who provides the voice for Eddie.|alt=A photograph of Jack Black, in casual clothes, holding an acoustic guitar while on stage.]]

Though [[Ronnie James Dio]] of the band [[Dio (band)|Dio]] had performed parts for the game, his role was replaced with voice work from [[Tim Curry]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121899|title=RONNIE JAMES DIO No Longer Part Of 'Brütal Legend' Game|date=June 14, 2009|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615183123/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121899|archive-date=2009-06-15|url-status=dead|access-date=June 14, 2009}}</ref> While the change was speculated to be due to tense issues between Osbourne and Dio, Schafer noted that as Dio's intended character, "Doviculus, Emperor of the Tainted Coil", grew, they found that Curry fit the role better for the part, citing Curry's role of the [[Lord of Darkness]] in the film ''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'' as a key factor;<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/tim-schafer-explains-why-dios-out-of-brutal-legend-tim-5291718 | title = Tim Schafer Explains Why Dio's Out Of Brütal Legend, Tim Curry's In | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = June 15, 2009 | access-date = June 15, 2009 | publisher = Kotaku | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090618174146/http://kotaku.com/5291718/tim-schafer-explains-why-dios-out-of-brutal-legend-tim-currys-in | archive-date = June 18, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Schafer would also later state that Dio's part was cut due to a combination of "really complicated reasons" and other circumstances outside their control.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> Curry considered the role "perfect" for him when Schafer described Doviculus to him as "big and tough, but also has this kinky side who, when hit with an ax, might scream in pain or squeal with delight".<ref name="usatoday characters 1"/>

Similar to their experience with bringing Black onto the project, obtaining the voicework of the metal artists were also unexpected but beneficial.<ref name="eurogamer livechat"/> This led to some confusion during voice recording sessions; both Lita Ford and Rob Halford had difficulties with lines involving a character named "Lita Halford".<ref name="eurogamer livechat"/> Furthermore, both Black and Osbourne frequently injected [[profanity]] into their scripted lines during recording sessions. Instead of rerecording these, the development left these in the game, but included the option for a profanity content filter to be enabled by the player to "bleep" out these words and mask such word on screen using the [[Parents Music Resource Center]] "[[Parental Advisory]]" label, an icon that Schafer considered to be part of the history of heavy metal.  A similar filter exists for [[Graphic violence|gore]] in the game, preventing any dismemberment and disabling blood in the game. Schafer stated the filters were added to the game in consideration of older players that may not wish to see such aspects, or for parents who opt to play the game with younger children.<ref name="planet360 interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_7230/Tim_Schafer_-_Brutal_Legend_Interview |title=Tim Schafer - Brutal Legend Interview |first=James |last=Pikover |date=July 30, 2009 |website=Planet Xbox 360 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804150833/http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_7230/Tim_Schafer_-_Brutal_Legend_Interview |archive-date=August 4, 2009}}</ref> During development, Schafer stated that while he could not confirm what other musicians and bands would be in the game, there would be more than already stated, and that these musicians were "especially conducive to character creation" due to the amount of theatrics used in their concert shows.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-04-02-schafer-q-and-a_N.htm | title='Brutal Legend' is all part of Tim Schafer's rock 'n' roll fantasy | newspaper=[[USA Today]] | first=Mike | last=Snider | date=April 3, 2009 | access-date=April 6, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406075643/http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-04-02-schafer-q-and-a_N.htm | archive-date=April 6, 2009 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

[[Kyle Gass]], Black's collaborator with [[Tenacious D]], voices and lends his facial likeness to a neurotic cannon operator in the game.<ref name="gi sept 09"/> Comedians [[David Cross]], [[Steve Agee]], [[Brian Posehn]], and actor [[Wil Wheaton]] have also provided voice work for the game; Posehn had previously worked with Schafer on their high school newspaper.<ref name="postmortem"/><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/698227/Comic-Con-09-Sarah-Silvermans-Steve-Agee-And-Legend-Of-Neils-Scott-Chernoff.html | title = Comic-Con 09: Sarah Silverman's Steve Agee And Legend Of Neil's Scott Chernoff | first = Frank | last = Meyer | date = August 11, 2009 | access-date = August 12, 2009 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040802/http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/698227/Comic-Con-09-Sarah-Silvermans-Steve-Agee-And-Legend-Of-Neils-Scott-Chernoff.html | archive-date = December 1, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/211867/exclusive-gass-posehn-agee-in-brutal-legend/ | title = Exclusive: Gass, Posehn, Agee in Brutal Legend! | magazine = [[GamePro]] | date = September 1, 2009 | access-date = September 1, 2009 | first = Dave | last= Rudden |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102045842/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/211867/exclusive-gass-posehn-agee-in-brutal-legend/|archive-date=November 2, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/101/1017941p1.html | title = GamesCom 2009's Biggest Surprises | first = Patrick | last = Kolan | date = August 25, 2009 | access-date = October 21, 2009 | website = IGN | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090828043417/http://wii.ign.com/articles/101/1017941p1.html | archive-date = August 28, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> [[David Sobolov]] was also confirmed as a voice actor for other roles in the game; Sobolov noted that he recorded his lines separate from Black's despite his characters' having direct interaction with Riggs.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Interview-iMEvil-Star-David-Sobolov-18522.html | title = Interview: iMEvil Star David Sobolov | first = Mark | last = Barley | date = July 6, 2009 | access-date = July 7, 2009 | publisher = Cinema Blend | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090727092255/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Interview-iMEvil-Star-David-Sobolov-18522.html | archive-date = July 27, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> [[Richard Horvitz]], who voiced protagonist Raz in Schafer's previous game, ''Psychonauts'', cameos as the lead guitarist of Kabbage Boy and as a car-lift operator that assigns Eddie certain side missions. Further voice acting work has been provided by veteran video game actors such as Zach Hanks, [[Kath Soucie]], [[Dino Andrade]] and [[Jennifer Hale]].<ref name="usatoday characters 2">{{cite news | url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/10/meet-more-of-the-characters-from-brutal-legend/1 | title = Meet more of the characters from 'Brutal Legend' | work = [[USA Today]] | first = Mike | last = Snider | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091016235300/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/10/meet-more-of-the-characters-from-brutal-legend/1 | archive-date = October 16, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

===Development history===
According to Schafer, ''Brütal Legend'' had been in development since 2007, prior to the completion of ''Psychonauts''.<ref name="oxm preview"/> Schafer noted that in ''Psychonauts'', they attempted to bring together a lot of assets, including characters and environments, but were not able to successfully integrate them on their first attempt and had to start over on the development of some. In several cases for ''Psychonauts'', changes made in gameplay required them to return and redesign levels to account for the new features. The company decided at the start to use the [[scrum (development)|scrum development approach]] for ''Brütal Legend'', which they found worked well with their company's culture, allowing them to quickly arrive at playable targets at every milestone.<ref name="postmortem">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4308/postmortem_double_fines_brutal_.php | title = Postmortem: Double Fine's Brutal Legend | website = [[Gamasutra]] | date = March 25, 2009 | access-date = May 25, 2010 | first = Caroline | last = Esmurdoc | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100508192649/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4308/postmortem_double_fines_brutal_.php | archive-date = May 8, 2010 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> For example, the team was able to bring about their terrain engine, renderer, and a playable Eddie Riggs within a month of development, and by the third month, the ability for Eddie to drive about the terrain, running over hordes of enemies.<ref name="postmortem"/>

Schafer stated that they began the development with the character of Eddie, and recognizing what he should be doing in the game—specifically, swinging around his axe, playing his guitar, and driving his hot rod. Once they found this combination of elements to work well in combat and general gameplay, they were able to expand out the rest of the game from there, as these elements provided a means of testing the game to make sure it remained enjoyable.<ref name="shacknews schaffer pax"/> The first major feature developed for the game was the multiplayer element, given that no previous game from Double Fine had included this feature, and was the highest risk element to the game.<ref name="planet360 interview"/>
The multiplayer gameplay itself was inspired by older strategy games, in particular, 1989's ''[[Herzog Zwei]]''; in this game, the player controlled a transforming aircraft [[mecha]] that would normally fly about the field to issue orders for constructing new units, airlifting units to other areas, and directing combat, but the player could opt to transform the craft into a giant robot and engage directly in combat.<ref name="rps schafer pc">{{cite web | url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/27/the-past-present-and-future-of-brutal-legend/ | title = The Past, Present, And Future Of Brutal Legend | first = Nathan | last = Greyson | date = February 27, 2013 | access-date = February 28, 2013 | publisher = [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130301011852/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/27/the-past-present-and-future-of-brutal-legend/ | archive-date = March 1, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="strategy faq">{{Cite web | url = http://www.doublefine.com/news/comments/battle_time/ | title = Battle Time | publisher = [[Double Fine]] | date = October 14, 2009 | access-date = October 15, 2009 | first = Tim | last = Schafer | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091015225910/http://www.doublefine.com/news/comments/battle_time/ | archive-date = October 15, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> For ''Brütal Legend'', Schafer kept the same concept of a split-mode RTS, but wanted more focus on the ground combat; instead of spending 90% of the time controlling units as in ''Zwei'', the player would only spend about 30% in this fashion within ''Brütal Legend''.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> This subsequently led to much of the action and combat-driven gameplay outside of the stage battles.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> In a 2015 interview, Schafer said that much of the gameplay outside of stage battles were to provide tutorials for the Stage Battles, and to make the game more of an action-adventure than an RTS to avoid the stigma that impacts sales of RTS games. This caused the production to expand considerably around the merger of Vivendi-Activision, and Double Fine had difficulties convincing the new publishers to fund the expanded game.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.usgamer.net/articles/Tim_Schafer_Interview/ | title = "I Don't Know if a Duck is Going to Swallow me Whole." The Tim Schafer Interview. | first = Jaz | last = Ringell | date = June 22, 2015 | access-date = June 22, 2015 | publisher = [[US Gamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150623001928/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/Tim_Schafer_Interview/ | archive-date = June 23, 2015 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

The team used [[Unreal Engine]] 2.5 to build and test prototypes of the real-time strategy elements, allowing the designers and gameplay programmers to commence work while another team focused on creating a new game engine.<ref name="postmortem"/> Having completed the multiplayer stage battle portion of the game first, Double Fine found it easy to gradually introduce the player to its more advanced aspects during the single-player campaign.<ref name="shacknews schaffer pax"/> The game-world's large size and varied content necessitated a game engine with streaming capabilities, allowing the game to seamlessly load and unload content as needed — this was also something the team had no prior experience with.<ref name="planet360 interview"/> Double Fine developed several in-house tools to help streamline the content-creation process for the game's world: an automated testing bot, RoBert (so named after one of the test engineers), was created to put daily builds of the game through continuous and rigorous testing, automatically reporting any errors to developers, while the Multi-User-Editor allowed the game's artists to simultaneously work on the game-world without fear of overwriting each other's work.<ref name="postmortem"/> The team ran into content management issues late in the game's development as more of the game's assets neared completion. Within the span of a few months the combined asset size tripled, endangering the game's ability to fit on a [[DVD]] and causing performance problems throughout the company's development systems. With the help of the engineering team, they were eventually able to overcome the performance issues and re-optimize the content for space.<ref name="postmortem"/>

With the popularity of the ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' and ''[[Rock Band]]'' franchises, many wondered if ''Brütal Legend'' would take advantage of these games' guitar-themed controllers. Schafer mentioned that while he had entertained the idea, he could not find an acceptable way for players to repeatedly switch between standard and guitar controllers, so he abandoned it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/04/03/no-plans-for-brutal-legend-guitar-controller-compatibility/ |title='No Plans' For 'Brutal Legend' Guitar Controller Compatibility |first=Tracey |last=John |date=April 3, 2009 |website=MTV |access-date=April 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406015221/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/04/03/no-plans-for-brutal-legend-guitar-controller-compatibility |archive-date=April 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Players who preordered the game through [[GameStop]] were able to unlock a special promotional in-game guitar designed in conjunction with Jack Black's band Tenacious D, and includes voices provided by both Black and Kyle Gass.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/gamestops-exclusive-brutal-legend-tenacious-d-axe-5242412 | title = GameStop's Exclusive Brütal Legend Tenacious D Axe | publisher = Kotaku | first = Mike | last = Fahey | date = May 6, 2009 | access-date = May 6, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090509143853/http://kotaku.com/5242412/gamestops-exclusive-brutal-legend-tenacious-d-axe | archive-date = May 9, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

While ''Brütal Legend''{{'}}s fate was unclear, Schafer was not able to talk about the project to avoid causing problems with any potential business deals, until EA Partners picked up the game in December 2008.<ref name="oxm preview"/> However, even when the fate of the publication of the game was unsure, the team continued to work on its development.<ref name="escapist interview">{{Cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_182/5614-Backstage-with-Tim-Schafer|title=Backstage with Tim Schafer|date=December 30, 2008|access-date=April 1, 2009|first=Jordan|last=Deam|publisher=The Escapist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425133629/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_182/5614-Backstage-with-Tim-Schafer|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Schafer reflected that the time spent during development without a publisher was beneficial, allowing them to design the game without pressure from the publisher's goals.<ref name="eurog-interview-2010"/> EA CEO John Riccitiello, when asked about EA picking up ''Brütal Legend'' for distribution prior to December 2008, commented that "Sometimes significant creative risks end up being some of the world’s best products".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20652|title=Interview: EA's Riccitiello On Having Faith In Mirror's Edge, Grasshopper Manufacture|website=[[Gamasutra]]|first=Leigh|last=Alexander|date=October 18, 2008|access-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509193524/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20652|archive-date=May 9, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Other platforms===
When rumors of a possible [[Wii]] port arose in March 2009, Schafer stated that "We are making an Xbox 360 and a PS3 version of Brütal Legend."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3173511|title=Is Brütal Legend Coming to Wii?|last=Leone|first=Matt|date=March 30, 2009|website=[[1UP.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013092302/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3173511|archive-date=2012-10-13|url-status=dead|access-date=April 3, 2009}}</ref> However, according to Ben Fritz at ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', another studio has been engaged by Electronic Arts to bring the game to the Wii, albeit at a later date than the other console versions, suggesting that it may follow the same model as ''[[Dead Space: Extraction]]'', a Wii title scheduled to be released about a year after ''[[Dead Space (video game)|Dead Space]]''{{'}}s first release.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/04/brutal-legend-is-coming-to-the-wii-double-fines-not-making-it.html |title=Brutal Legend is coming to the Wii, Double Fine's not making it |first=Ben |last=Fritz |date=April 3, 2009 |access-date=April 3, 2009 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404105452/http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/04/brutal-legend-is-coming-to-the-wii-double-fines-not-making-it.html |archive-date=April 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, further industry rumors, which claimed that the Wii version was being done by Electronic Arts in-house, have stated that the effort to port the game to the Wii has been canceled due to quality and technical concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175032|title=Rumor: Brutal Legend for Wii Existed, Now Canceled|last=Pigna|first=Kris|date=July 1, 2009|website=[[1UP.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105204949/http://www.1up.com/news/rumor-brutal-legend-wii-existed|archive-date=2012-11-05|url-status=dead|access-date=July 1, 2009}}</ref>

Initially after its release, Double Fine had not planned on a [[Microsoft Windows|PC]] version of the game, as Schafer has stated that the game is primarily an action game and "meant to be on a console".<ref name="eurogamer livechat">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/live-brutal-legend-interview-live-q-and-a | title = Live Brutal Legend interview | website = [[Eurogamer]] | date = July 2, 2009 | access-date = July 2, 2009 | first = Robert | last = Purchase | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090703225755/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/live-brutal-legend-interview-live-q-and-a | archive-date = July 3, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> However, in February 2013, Double Fine announced that a Windows version of the game will be released on February 26, 2013. The Windows port has been updated for higher resolutions of modern computers, and includes both DLC packs released for consoles.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/13/brutal-legend-coming-to-pc-multiplayer-beta-live-now/ | title = Brütal Legend coming to PC this month, mültiplayër beta live now | first = Tyler | last = Wilde | date = February 13, 2012 | access-date = February 13, 2013 | work = [[PC Gamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130216093232/http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/02/13/brutal-legend-coming-to-pc-multiplayer-beta-live-now/ | archive-date = February 16, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The multiplayer aspects of the PC version include a number of tweaks that Double Fine had tracked that they wanted to have made to the console version but could not do; while the full list of changes are not expected to be present in the initial PC release, Schafer has stated that if sales of the PC version are successful, they will look at adding new units, factions, and gameplay modes that they had originally scoped out for the console version.<ref name="rps pc additions">{{cite web | url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/19/pending-pc-success-brutal-legend-will-go-on/ | title = Pending PC Success, Brutal Legend Will Go On | first = Nathan | last = Grayson | date = February 19, 2013 | access-date = February 19, 2013 | publisher = [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130221063306/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/02/19/pending-pc-success-brutal-legend-will-go-on/ | archive-date = February 21, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Mac and Linux ports were released in May 2013, premiering as part of the Humble Double Fine Bundle.

===Sequel===
Double Fine believed they were given the go-ahead to develop a sequel to ''Brütal Legend'' after the game's release, and had invested a great deal of development time towards this, but were later told by EA that it was cancelled.<ref name="shacknews sequel">{{Cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/64752 | title = Double Fine Making Four 'Small' Games After Brutal Legend 2 Scrapped | first = Alice | last = O'Conner | date = July 15, 2010 | access-date = July 15, 2010 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100716192839/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/64752 | archive-date = July 16, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Schafer stated that the sequel would likely incorporate much of what they had to drop prior to the game's release. This game world would have been three times larger than what ''Brütal Legend'' contained.<ref name="eurog-interview-2010"/> The sequel would have likely included a fourth faction that was cut from the original game which would have been the last major group the player would have to fight through, including a major boss character, before the final battles with Doviculus.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> Schafer further noted that at the end of the original game, Doviculus's head falls into the Sea of Black Tears, and implied that the same effect that the Sea had on Ophelia could happen to Doviculus.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> Schafer also had ideas for a plot using a character voiced by Ronnie James Dio, but will not likely be used due to Dio's death.<ref name="eurog-interview-2010"/>

The cancellation of the sequel nearly ruined Double Fine, as they had invested all current efforts toward the title.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> Instead of a sequel, Double Fine began work on four smaller projects, ''[[Costume Quest]]'', ''[[Stacking (video game)|Stacking]]'', ''[[Iron Brigade (video game)|Iron Brigade]]'' (formerly titled ''Trenched'') and ''[[Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster]]'',<ref name="Wired20110405">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/04/sesame-street-kinect-game/|title=Sesame Street Game Turns Kinect Into Sensitivity Trainer|last=Schreier|first=Jason|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=August 28, 2013|magazine=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107014154/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/04/sesame-street-kinect-game/|archive-date=November 7, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> based on prototypes they had created from "Amnesia Fortnights" during the development period where they had lacked a publisher. In these two-weeks sessions, the Double Fine team was split into four groups and each tasked with creating a small prototype game to share with the rest of the company; all four mini-games were well received internally. Upon hearing of the cancellation of the sequel, Schafer and his team began to promote these games around, and were able to obtain publishing deals for all four titles.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29450/Develop_Double_Fines_Schafer_On_Amnesia_Fortnights_And_The_Pitfalls_Of_AAA.php | title = Develop: Double Fine's Schafer On 'Amnesia Fortnights' And The Pitfalls Of AAA | first = Simon | last = Parkin | date = July 15, 2010 | access-date = July 15, 2010 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100718063015/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29450/Develop_Double_Fines_Schafer_On_Amnesia_Fortnights_And_The_Pitfalls_Of_AAA.php | archive-date = July 18, 2010 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The games will be able to take advantage of the custom game world engine and other assets they had created for ''Brütal Legend''.<ref name="shacknews sequel"/> The titles were considered financial successes, allowing Double Fine to recover and pursue further game development though steering away from major AAA releases.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/>

As of 2013, Schafer is still interested in a sequel to ''Brütal Legend'', but would require appropriate funding and resources to make it happen as an independent developer.<ref name="rps pc additions"/> Since then, Double Fine launched a successful crowd-funded drive for ''[[Psychonauts 2]]'' in December 2015; Schafer said that if that game does well, there is a good chance that a sequel to ''Brütal Legend'' would be possible.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/brutal-legend-sequel-could-happen-if-psychonauts-2/1100-6432874/ | title = Brutal Legend Sequel Could Happen if Psychonauts 2 Does Well | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = December 7, 2015 | access-date = December 7, 2015 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151209090124/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/brutal-legend-sequel-could-happen-if-psychonauts-2/1100-6432874/ | archive-date = December 9, 2015 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Tim Schafer said June 13 during an appearance at E3 2017 that ''Brütal Legend'' will eventually get a sequel.

===Publishing issues===
''Brütal Legend'' was originally to be published by [[Vivendi Games]]' subsidiary [[Sierra Entertainment]]. In 2008, [[Activision]] merged with Vivendi's game division (which included [[Blizzard Entertainment]]) to become [[Activision Blizzard]], gaining the rights to publication of ''Brütal Legend''.  Upon evaluation of their assets, Activision Blizzard chose to drop ''Brütal Legend'' along with several other games, leaving the project in limbo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/470753|title=Gaming merger leaves Ghostbusters in limbo|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|first=Marc|last=Saltzman|date=August 2, 2008|access-date=February 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907020813/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/470753|archive-date=September 7, 2008|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Activision CEO [[Bobby Kotick]] later claimed the reason for dropping the project was due to: the project running late; missing milestones; overspending the budget and not looking like a good game.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-09-27-bobby-kotick-slags-off-tim-schafer | title = Bobby Kotick slags off Tim Schafer | work = [[Eurogamer]] | date = September 27, 2010 | access-date = November 22, 2014 | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129114128/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-09-27-bobby-kotick-slags-off-tim-schafer | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Double Fine themselves were unaware that Activision had chosen to drop the game, having been informed through an Activision press release that omitted the game from their upcoming release schedule, according to studio producer Caroline Esmurdoc.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=229781 | title = Activision didn't tell Double Fine it dropped Brutal Legend | work = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = December 16, 2009 | access-date = December 18, 2009 | first = Ryan | last = King | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091219033648/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=229781 | archive-date = December 19, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Industry rumors suggested that [[Electronic Arts]] was interested in publishing the property,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19967|title=EA's DeMartini Plays Coy On Brutal Legend, Ghostbusters|website=[[Gamasutra]]|date=August 22, 2008|access-date=February 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225334/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19967|archive-date=December 21, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and it was confirmed in December 2008 that Electronic Arts would publish the game.<ref name="eapress">{{Cite web|url=http://www.doublefine.com/news.php/projects/brutallegend|title=Double Fine and EA turn it up to "11" next Fall with the release of Brütal Legend|access-date=December 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324122214/http://www.doublefine.com/news.php/projects/brutallegend|archive-date=March 24, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> During the period when ''Brütal Legend''{{'}}s fate was unclear, Schafer was not able to talk about the project to avoid causing problems with any potential business deals.<ref name="oxm preview"/>

In February 2009, Activision Blizzard had asserted that the Electronic Arts deal was invalid, believing that they were still in negotiations with Double Fine to publish the game. It was believed that Activision was seeking monetary compensation in a similar manner as it received from [[Atari SA|Atari]] for ''[[Ghostbusters: The Video Game]]'' and ''[[The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]'', games that were dropped when Activision Blizzard re-evaluated their assets.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/02/activision-brutal-legend-is-ours-ea-activision-is-a-jealous-exhusband.html |title=Activision: Brutal Legend is ours. EA: Activision is a jealous ex-husband |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Bed |last=Fritz |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=February 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215010747/http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/02/activision-brutal-legend-is-ours-ea-activision-is-a-jealous-exhusband.html |archive-date=February 15, 2009 }}</ref> On June 4, 2009, Activision filed suit to prevent publishing of the game, claiming that they had invested $15 million in the title and still had a valid contract to release the game.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/31110073 | title = Activision sues to stop Jack Black game | agency = Associated Press | date = June 4, 2009 | access-date = June 4, 2009 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = August 20, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140820001026/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/31110073/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> Activision's suit also contends that Double Fine had missed a deadline for the game last year, requesting more time and an additional $7 million in development fees. Activision's considers both the loss of the money they spent on the game as well as potential sales and ''Brütal Legend''-related merchandise as part of the harm done in the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/59034 | title = Activision Sues To Stop Brutal Legend Release | first = Alice | last = O'Conner | date = June 4, 2009 | access-date = June 4, 2009 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090607021240/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/59034 | archive-date = June 7, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

In July 2009, Double Fine issued a countersuit against Activision, citing that the latter company had abandoned the project before, and was trying to harm ''Brütal Legend'' during its critical marketing phase, as well as trying to protect its ''Guitar Hero'' franchise.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32089430 | title = Countersuit filed over 'Brutal Legend' game | first = Anthony | last = McCartney | date = July 22, 2009 | access-date = July 22, 2009 | agency = Associated Press | df = mdy-all | archive-date = January 22, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160122014316/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32089430 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The countersuit stated that Activision had dropped the game after its merger with Vivendi and a failed attempt to convert the game into a ''Guitar Hero'' sequel.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32089430 | title = Countersuit filed over 'Brutal Legend' video game | first = Anthony | last = McCartney | date = July 22, 2009 | access-date = July 22, 2009 | newspaper = Washington Post | df = mdy-all | archive-date = January 22, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160122014316/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32089430 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Schafer was infamously quoted as saying, in commenting on their actions, "Hey, if Activision liked it, then they should have put a ring on it. Oh great, now [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyonce]] is going to sue me too."<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/01/a-year-in-gaming-quotes-kotick-beatles-tony-hawk.ars | title = A year in gaming quotes: Kotick, Beatles, Tony Hawk | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = January 7, 2010 | access-date = January 7, 2010 | website = Ars Technica | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606150138/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/01/a-year-in-gaming-quotes-kotick-beatles-tony-hawk.ars | archive-date = June 6, 2011 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

In late July, the presiding judge, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Craig Karlan, reported that a preliminary ruling that could have affected the game's release would have been given on August 6, 2009, with Karlan tentatively ready to deny Activision's motion to delay the game.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32239683 | title = Ruling delayed on 'Brutal Legend' release | first = Anthony | last = McCartney | date = July 30, 2009 | access-date = July 30, 2009 | agency = Associated Press | df = mdy-all | archive-date = January 23, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240123141328/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32239683 | url-status = live }}</ref> However, prior to the ruling, the companies announced they had reached an out-of-court settlement on the lawsuits, though details were not available.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/06/arts/AP-US-Games-Brutal-Legend-Lawsuit.html | title = Lawsuit Over 'Brutal Legend' Video Game Settled | date = August 6, 2009 | access-date =August 6, 2009 | agency = Associated Press | work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/08/actvision-double-fine-brutal-legend-settlement.html | title = Activision and Double Fine settle lawsuit over Brutal Legend game | newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = August 6, 2009 | access-date = August 7, 2009 | first = Alex | last = Pham | author2 = Fritz, Ben | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090808174949/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/08/actvision-double-fine-brutal-legend-settlement.html | archive-date = August 8, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

Though most of the developers involved in the game were shielded from the effects of the lawsuit, Double Fine's Caroline Esmurdoc noted that it took a significant toll on Schafer and the other lead executives at the company.<ref name="postmortem"/> Activision's lawsuit had been filed at the time the game had reached the [[Software release life cycle#Alpha|alpha]] release state, and would need to be concluded prior to the game's final release; this required the executives to dedicate their time towards information gathering, interviewing, and other legal matters "during the crunchiest, most critical time of development".<ref name="postmortem"/> As such, while they ultimately were able to settle the legal matter, Esmurdoc believed that the impact of the effort in settling the lawsuit impacted the quality of the final product.<ref name="postmortem"/> Schafer wrote more than 50% of the game's dialog in the few months following the completion of the lawsuit and prior to release, a "big crunch" for him.<ref name="eurog-interview-2010"/>

===Downloadable content===
Schafer, prior to the game's release, stated that Double Fine had "something awesome" planned for [[downloadable content]] to further support the game after release.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2009/05/05/brutal-legend-dlc-is-something-awesome-says-schafer/ | title = Brutal Legend DLC is "something awesome," says Schafer | first = Patrick | last = Garrett | date = May 5, 2009 | access-date = May 5, 2009 | website = [[VG247]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090507040056/http://www.vg247.com/2009/05/05/brutal-legend-dlc-is-something-awesome-says-schafer/ | archive-date = May 7, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Two downloadable packs have since been released. The first, "Tears of the Hextadon", was released in early November 2009, containing two new multiplayer maps and a new single-player weapon. The pack was initially free on the PlayStation Network for the first two weeks of release.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.ea.com/news/ea-release-first-dlc-for-brutal-legend | title = Double Fine and EA Get Rocking with First Downloadable Content for Brütal Legend | publisher = [[Electronic Arts]] | date = October 27, 2009 | access-date = November 18, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091031133643/http://www.ea.com/news/ea-release-first-dlc-for-brutal-legend | archive-date = October 31, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The second pack, "The Hammer of Infinite Fate", was released in mid-December 2009, and in addition to new multiplayer maps, expands the single-player experience by incorporating new weaponry for the Deuce, outfits for Eddie, a [[GPS]] system to track collectibles in the game's world, and other additional content, including figureheads of Razputin, the lead character from ''Psychonauts'', and Schafer himself.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61532 | title = Brutal Legend 'Hammer of Infinite Fate' DLC Announced, Brings Giant Stone Schafer and Razputin | first = Alice | last = O'Conner | date = December 8, 2009 | access-date = December 18, 2009 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091213034030/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61532 | archive-date = December 13, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

==Marketing==
[[File:Brutal Legend South Hall home time.jpg|right|thumb|''Brütal Legend'' was given significant exposure at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009|2009's E3]] through a large banner on the South Hall of the [[Los Angeles Convention Center]].]]
''Brütal Legend'' was announced in October 2007 through a feature article in ''[[Game Informer]]'';<ref name="gi reveal"/> gaming journalists had received a [[Gramophone record|vinyl record]] from Activision that contained a [[Backmasking|backwards message]] alluding to the game's story.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163634 | title = Schafer's Brutal Legend Finally Confirmed | first = Kris | last = Pagna | date = October 12, 2007 | access-date = January 13, 2010 | website = [[1UP.com]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090325062109/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163634 | archive-date = March 25, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The game's release in October 2009 was promoted as "Rocktober" in official literature about the game from Electronic Arts.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/694910/Brutal-Legend-Releasing-This-Rocktober-October.html | title = 'Brutal Legend' Releasing This "Rocktober" (October) | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]] | date = April 21, 2009 | access-date = June 16, 2009 | first = Brian | last = Leahy | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033038/http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/694910/Brutal-Legend-Releasing-This-Rocktober-October.html | archive-date = December 1, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> At the 2009 [[Download Festival]] in [[Donington Park]] in [[England]], [[Electronic Arts]] arranged for 440 fans of ''Brütal Legend'' to help to break the [[Guinness World Record]] for the largest number of [[air guitar]] players, all simultaneously playing to "[[Ace of Spades (song)|Ace of Spades]]" by [[Motörhead]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92411-Br-tal-Legend-Fans-Set-New-Air-Guitar-World-Record | title = Brütal Legend Fans Set New Air Guitar World Record | first = Andy | last = Chalk | date = June 15, 2009 | access-date = June 15, 2009 | publisher = The Escapist | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090618065607/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92411-Br-tal-Legend-Fans-Set-New-Air-Guitar-World-Record | archive-date = June 18, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> A series of short online videos featuring Black (and Schafer in two instances), entitled "Brutal Thoughts with Jack Black", have been used to promote the game since May 2009.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58730 | title = Brutal (Legend) Thoughts with Jack Black: Episode 1 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Chris | last = Faylor | date = May 21, 2009 | access-date = August 2, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090726174404/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58730 | archive-date = July 26, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> At the 2009 [[Video Music Awards]], Black appeared in [[cosplay]] as Eddie to promote the game.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/09/14/vmas-feature-jack-black-dressed-as-eddie-riggs-of-brutal-legend/ | title = VMAs Feature Jack Black Dressed As Eddie Riggs Of 'Brutal Legend' | first = Russ | last = Frushtick | date = September 14, 2009 | access-date = September 14, 2009 | publisher = MTV | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090922222618/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/09/14/vmas-feature-jack-black-dressed-as-eddie-riggs-of-brutal-legend | archive-date = September 22, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

A promotional concert for the game was held at the 2009 [[Comic-Con International]] Convention in July 2009, and featured the metal artists [[Gwar]], [[3 Inches of Blood]], Unholy Pink, and [[Keith Morris]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamersdailynews.com/story-12178-Brutal-Legend-Metal-Meltdown-Concert-to-ComicCon-2009.html | title = Brutal Legend Metal Meltdown Concert to Comic-Con 2009 | publisher = Gamers Daily News | date = July 9, 2009 | access-date = July 9, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090712094454/http://www.gamersdailynews.com/story-12178-Brutal-Legend-Metal-Meltdown-Concert-to-ComicCon-2009.html | archive-date = July 12, 2009 }}</ref>  It has also been announced that Brutal Legend was the official sponsor of the 2009 [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]]/[[Dethklok]] tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ea.com/blogs/ea-underground/brtal-legend-tour-metalocalypses-dethklok-mastodon-edition |title=Brütal Legend Tour: Metalocalypse's Dethklok and Mastodon Edition |publisher=EA Underground |date=August 4, 2009 |access-date=October 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808064313/http://www.ea.com/blogs/ea-underground/brtal-legend-tour-metalocalypses-dethklok-mastodon-edition |archive-date=August 8, 2009 }}</ref> Schafer appeared on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' on October 2, 2009, to promote the game.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/95197-Brutal-Legend-Designer-Tim-Schafer-on-Late-Night-with-Jimmy-Fallon | title = Brutal Legend Designer Tim Schafer on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | first = Logan | last = Westbrook | date = October 4, 2009 | access-date = October 4, 2009 | work = The Escapist | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091006002746/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/95197-Brutal-Legend-Designer-Tim-Schafer-on-Late-Night-with-Jimmy-Fallon | archive-date = October 6, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Black appeared on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' on October 14, 2009, dressed as Eddie Riggs and staying in character during his interview.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/10/15/jack-black-on-jimmy-kimmel-for-brutal-legend/ | title = Jack Black On Jimmy Kimmel For 'Brutal Legend' | publisher = MTV | date = October 15, 2009 | access-date = October 15, 2009 | first = Russ | last = Frushtick | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091018102037/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/10/15/jack-black-on-jimmy-kimmel-for-brutal-legend | archive-date = October 18, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

A demo version of the game was made available on the [[Xbox Games Store|Xbox Marketplace]] and [[PlayStation Store]]; it was available for a limited time on September 17, 2009, for North American users who had pre-ordered the product through [[GameStop]]. The demo became available to all [[Xbox Live Gold]] users on September 24, 2009, and to Xbox Live Silver users and all PlayStation 3 users the following week.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/60034 | title = Brutal Legend Demo Coming September 17 | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = August 18, 2009 | access-date = August 18, 2009 | first = Chris | last = Faylor | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090821063840/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/60034 | archive-date = August 21, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/09/brutal-legend-demo-code-giveaway.ars | title = Brutal Legend demo code giveaway... OF DEATH!!! | first = Ben | last = Kuchera | date = September 17, 2009 | access-date = September 17, 2009 | website = Ars Technica | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090922173951/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/09/brutal-legend-demo-code-giveaway.ars | archive-date = September 22, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The demo is based on the game's beginning, showing Eddie's arrival and his encounters up until the first boss character fight.<ref name="shacknews schaffer pax"/>

After Ozzy Osbourne's death on July 22, 2025, Double Fine made the PC and macOS versions of the game available to claim and download for free from [[itch.io]] for [[Number of the beast|666]] minutes as a tribute towards Osbourne.<ref name="PC Gamer 666 free">{{cite web |last=Prescott |first=Shaun |title=Brütal Legend is free in honor of Ozzy Osbourne, but only for 666 minutes |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/brutal-legend-is-free-in-honor-of-ozzy-osbourne-but-only-for-666-minutes/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2025-07-23 |date=2025-07-23 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="IGN 666 free">{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Double Fine Honor's Heavy Metal Legend Ozzy Osbourne by Making Heavy Metal Video Game Brütal Legend Free for 666 Minutes Only |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/double-fine-honors-heavy-metal-legend-ozzy-osbourne-by-making-heavy-metal-video-game-brtal-legend-free-for-666-minutes-only |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=2025-07-23 |date=2025-07-23 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
''Brütal Legend'' features 107 heavy metal tracks from 75 different bands, selected by Schafer and Music Director Emily Ridgway,<ref name="tracklist">{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/brutal-legends-full-soundtrack-listing-makes-heads-explode/ | title = GameDaily is the first to bring you the game's full setlist. These 100+ songs will make your head explode! | first = Libe | last = Goad | date = August 9, 2009 | access-date = August 9, 2009 | publisher = [[Game Daily]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090812054731/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/brutal-legends-full-soundtrack-listing-makes-heads-explode/ | archive-date = August 12, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> each song being a "completely sincere choice" by Schafer and Ridgway,<ref name="1up scheffer profile"/> with the whole track list being "designed to be loved by Metal fans."<ref name="tracklist"/> Schafer sought to include songs from most main subgenres of metal, including classic [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[industrial metal]], [[black metal]], and [[doom metal]], with each faction in the game favoring a specific type.<ref name="eurogamer livechat"/> Though Schafer and others on the Double Fine team had vast knowledge of specific types of metal, Ridgway turned to a used-CD store owner named Allan from [[Aquarius Records (store)|Aquarius Records]] who had "encyclopedic knowledge" of the entire genre, and who provided the team with sample CDs to help them discover some of the more obscure metal bands.<ref name="gi interview"/> Schafer had identified many of the more well-known songs on the list, while Ridgway was able to locate mission-appropriate, more obscure titles for inclusion; for example, one mission, given by the Killmaster (voiced by [[Lemmy Kilmister]]), involves rescuing female troops for Ironheade's army; Ridgway had been able to locate a cover of "[[Bomber (song)|Bomber]]", originally recorded by [[Motörhead]] (Kilmister's band) and performed by the all-female metal band [[Girlschool]], recorded in their 1981 split EP ''[[St. Valentine's Day Massacre (EP)|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]]''.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> Schafer also credits Black with some of the music selections for the game.<ref name="gi interview"/> Instead of relying on labels or bands to provide them with a list of possible songs to select from, the development team sought permission to use specific songs they wanted in the game. In some cases, obtaining appropriate licensing proved difficult, as for songs from bands that had long split up, Double Fine needed to contact each band member to gain permission. This proved to be valuable, as some original bands were excited about their music being used in the game; in one case, Lita Ford was able to provide the game with a song with slight modifications to the lyrics from a version that she was about to release.<ref name="shacknews schaffer pax">{{Cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1191 |title=Brutal Legend Interview: Tim Schafer Talks Metal, Rubik's Cubes, Psychonauts, Sequels and More |first=Chris |last=Faylor |date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=September 8, 2009 |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909180310/http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1191 |archive-date=September 9, 2009 }}</ref> One song is from the in-game band "Kabbage Boy" for which Eddie is a roadie at the start of the game.<ref name="kotaku kabbage boy"/>

Schafer had tried to get music from groups like [[Metallica]] and [[AC/DC]], but their licensing fees were too high.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> He further tried to work with [[Iron Maiden]], but the group was hesitant to participate after recognizing that the character name "Eddie Riggs" suggested an attachment with the band's mascot, named "[[Eddie the Head|Eddie]]" and designed by [[Derek Riggs]]; the band's marketing group pointed out that this could imply that Iron Maiden had endorsed the game.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/>

In addition to licensed music, the game includes over 70 minutes of original score by Tim Schafer's long-term collaborator [[Peter McConnell]].<ref name="soundtrack">{{cite web|url=http://www.petermc.com/Subpages/Credits.html |title=Composition credits for Peter McConnell: TBA (Double Fine/Vivendi 2007) i.e., Brutal Legend |access-date=October 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024163700/http://www.petermc.com/Subpages/Credits.html |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> McConnell composed pieces for orchestra and Metal band to tie in with the licensed music in the game.<ref name="gi interview"/> Also, the in-game soundtrack contains an instrumental drum track played by [[Slough Feg]] drummer Harry Cantwell, all other "real" drums (6 tracks) were played by [[Y&T]] drummer Mike Vanderhule and recorded by [[Jory Prum]].<ref name=gangpetermcinterview /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mikevanderhule.com/ |title=Mike Vanderhule Official Website |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129045152/http://www.mikevanderhule.com/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The solos triggered by the player during the game were composed and recorded by [[Judas Priest]] guitarists [[Glenn Tipton]] (Eddie's solos) and [[K.&nbsp;K. Downing]] (Ophelia's and Doviculus's solos).<ref name="postmortem"/> While Schafer would like to have a soundtrack album for the game, he stated that there were already difficulties in securing the licenses for songs within the game and was not sure if it would be possible to extend them to a soundtrack.<ref name="eurogamer livechat"/> Schafer helped to select three songs—"We Are the Road Crew" by Motörhead, "The Metal" by Tenacious D, and "More Than Meets the Eye" by [[Testament (band)|Testament]]—to appear in a pack of ''[[Rock Band]]'' [[downloadable content|downloadable songs]] that was made available the same day as ''Brütal Legend''{{'}}s release.<ref name="latestDLC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3133284#post3133284|title=DLC Week of 10/13|publisher=[[Harmonix]]|date=October 9, 2009|access-date=October 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012074214/http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3133284#post3133284|archive-date=October 12, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The full soundtrack remained intact for ''Brütal Legend''{{'}}s addition to the [[Xbox One]] backwards compatibility catalog in September 2018; Double Fine had assured all music licensing rights had remained in place for this release.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/brutal-legend-xbox-one-version-has-all-the-origina/1100-6461862/ | title = Brutal Legend Xbox One Version Has All The Original Songs | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = September 19, 2018 | access-date = September 19, 2018 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180919034127/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/brutal-legend-xbox-one-version-has-all-the-origina/1100-6461862/ | archive-date = September 19, 2018 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center; float: left; width: 45%"
|-
! Song 
!Artist
|-
| "A Serpentine Crave" || [[Bishop of Hexen]]
|-
| "Ad Noctis" || [[Rotting Christ]]
|-
| "[[Am I Evil?]]" || [[Diamond Head (English band)|Diamond Head]]
|-
| "Angel Witch" || [[Angel Witch]]
|-
| "Angels Don't Kill" || [[Children of Bodom]]
|-
| "Assault Attack" || [[Michael Schenker Group]]
|-
| "Back at the Funny Farm" || [[Motörhead]]
|-
| "Battle Angels" || [[Sanctuary (band)|Sanctuary]]
|-
| "Battle Hymn/One Shot at Glory" || [[Judas Priest]]
|-
| "Believer" || [[Ozzy Osbourne]]
|-
| "Betrayal" || [[Lita Ford]]
|-
| "Birth of the Hero" || [[Tvangeste]]
|-
| "Blackout" || [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]]
|-
| "Blitzkrieg" || [[Deathstars]]
|-
| "[[Bomber (song)|Bomber]]" || [[Girlschool]]
|-
| "[[Breadfan]]" || [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]]
|-
| "Cathode Ray Sunshine" || [[Dark Tranquillity]]
|-
| "[[Children of the Grave (Black Sabbath song)|Children of the Grave]]" || [[Black Sabbath]]
|-
| "Crack the Skye (Instrumental)" || [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]]
|-
| "Cremation" || [[King Diamond]]
|-
| "Cry of the Banshee" || [[Brocas Helm (band)|Brocas Helm]]
|-
| "Dawn of Battle" || [[Manowar]]
|-
| "Deadly Sinners" || [[3 Inches of Blood]]
|-
| "[[Destroy the Orcs]]" || [[3 Inches of Blood]]
|-
| "Diary of a Madman" || [[Ozzy Osbourne]]
|-
| "Die for Metal" || [[Manowar]]
|-
| "[[Dr. Feelgood (Mötley Crüe song)|Dr. Feelgood]]" || [[Mötley Crüe]]
|-
| "Drink the Blood of the Priest" || [[Brocas Helm (band)|Brocas Helm]]
|-
| "[[Fast as a Shark]]" || [[Accept (band)|Accept]]
|-
| "For the Glory Of..."{{ref|a|a}} || [[Testament (band)|Testament]]
|-
| "Free Your Hate" || [[KMFDM]]
|-
| "Frost" || [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]
|-
| "Girlfriend" || Kabbage Boy
|-
| "[[God of Thunder (song)|God of Thunder]]" || [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]
|-
| "Goliaths Disarm Their Davids" || [[In Flames]]
|-
| "Hall of the Mountain King" || [[Savatage]]
|-
| "Her Ghost in the Fog" || [[Cradle of Filth]]
|-
| "High Speed Dirt" || [[Megadeth]]
|-
| "Holiday" || [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]]
|-
| "Igniisis Dance" || [[Wrath of Killenstein]]
|-
| "In the Black" || [[Motörhead]]
|-
| "Insomnia" || [[Dark Fortress]]
|-
| "[[Kickstart My Heart]]" || [[Mötley Crüe]]
|-
| "[[Lay It Down (Ratt song)|Lay It Down]]" || [[Ratt]]
|-
| "Leather Rebel" || [[Judas Priest]]
|-
| "[[Live Wire (Mötley Crüe song)|Live Wire]]" || [[Mötley Crüe]]
|-
| "Loke" || [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]
|-
| "Love Dump" || [[Static-X]]
|-
| "Machine Gunn Eddie" || [[Nitro (band)|Nitro]]
|-
| "March of the Crabs" || [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]]
|-
| "Marching Off to War" || [[Motörhead]]
|-
| "Master Exploder" || [[Tenacious D]]
|-
| "Murmaider" || [[Dethklok]]
|-
| "Metal Church" || [[Metal Church]]
|-
| "Metal Storm/Face the Slayer" || [[Slayer]]
|-
| "Metal Thrashing Mad" || [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]]
|-
| "More Than Meets the Eye" || [[Testament (band)|Testament]]
|-
| "[[Mr. Crowley]]" || [[Ozzy Osbourne]]
|-
| "Mr. Scary" || [[Dokken]]
|-
| "Narita" || [[Riot (band)|Riot]]
|-
| "[[Never Say Die (Black Sabbath song)|Never Say Die]]" || [[Black Sabbath]]
|-
| "Nightstalker" || [[Cloven Hoof (band)|Cloven Hoof]]
|-
| "No Love Lost" || [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]]
|-
| "[[Oblivion (Mastodon song)|Oblivion]] (Instrumental)" || [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]]
|-
| "Overnight Sensation" || [[FireHouse (band)|FireHouse]]
|-
| "[[Painkiller (Judas Priest song)|Painkiller]]" || [[Judas Priest]]
|-
| "[[Progenies of the Great Apocalypse]]" || [[Dimmu Borgir]]
|-
| "Pure Evil" || [[Iced Earth]]
|-
| "Queen of Desire" || [[Ostrogoth (band)|Ostrogoth]]
|-
| "Queen of the Masquerade" || [[Crimson Glory]]
|-
| "Riding the Storm" || [[Running Wild (band)|Running Wild]]
|-
| "Rip the System" || [[KMFDM]]
|-
| "Road Racin" || [[Riot (band)|Riot]]
|-
| "Rock Bottom" || [[UFO (band)|UFO]]
|-
| "[[Rock of Ages (Def Leppard song)|Rock of Ages]]" || [[Def Leppard]]
|-
| "Skeleton on Your Shoulder" || [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]]
|-
| "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" || [[Prong (band)|Prong]]
|-
| "So Frail" || [[Mirrorthrone]]
|-
| "Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery" || [[Skeletonwitch]]
|-
| "[[Stigmata (song)|Stigmata]]" || [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]]
|-
| "[[Still of the Night (song)|Still of the Night]]" || [[Whitesnake]]
|-
| "Sulphur Injection" || [[Apostasy (band)|Apostasy]]
|-
| "[[Superbeast]]" || [[Rob Zombie]]
|-
| "Swords and Tequila" || [[Riot (band)|Riot]]
|-
| "[[Symptom of the Universe (song)|Symptom of the Universe]]" || [[Black Sabbath]]
|-
| "Tag Team" || [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]]
|-
| "Technical Difficulties" || [[Racer X (band)|Racer X]]
|-
| "The Axeman" || [[Omen (band)|Omen]]
|-
| "[[The Beautiful People (Marilyn Manson song)|The Beautiful People]]" || [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]]
|-
| "The Hellion/[[Electric Eye (song)|Electric Eye]]" || [[Judas Priest]]
|-
| "[[The Metal]]" || [[Tenacious D]]
|-
| "The Somber Grounds of Truth" || [[Bishop of Hexen]]
|-
| "The Wild and the Young" || [[Quiet Riot]]
|-
| "[[Thieves (Ministry song)|Thieves]]" || [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]]
|-
| "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]" || [[DragonForce]]
|-
| "Thus Spake the Nightspirit" || [[Emperor (Norwegian band)|Emperor]]
|-
| "[[Tornado of Souls]]" || [[Megadeth]]
|-
| "Warriors Dawn" || [[Slough Feg]]
|-
| "(We Are) the Road Crew" || [[Motörhead]]
|-
| "Welcome Home" || [[King Diamond (band)|King Diamond]]
|-
| "Wheels of Steel" || [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]]
|-
| "When the Night Falls" || [[Iced Earth]]
|-
| "Witches" || [[Candlemass (band)|Candlemass]]
|-
| "World of Hurt" || [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]]
|-
| "Y.R.O." || [[Racer X (band)|Racer X]]
|-
| "[[Youth Gone Wild]]" || [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]]
|-
| "Zoom Club" || [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]]
|}
{{Clear}}
<small>
{{note|a|a}}The track is merged with the song "More Than Meets the Eye".<br />
</small>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PS3: 83/100<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/brutal-legend/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 | title = Brutal Legend for PlayStation 3 Reviews | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = October 13, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100818014213/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/brutal-legend | archive-date = August 18, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><br />X360: 82/100<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/brutal-legend/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 | title = Brutal Legend for Xbox 360 Reviews | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = October 13, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100816133735/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/brutal-legend | archive-date = August 16, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><br />PC: 80/100<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/brutal-legend/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title = Brutal Legend for PC Reviews | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = May 20, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130525052522/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/brutal-legend | archive-date = May 25, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| 1UP = B+<ref name="1up review">{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3176455&p=4 | title = Brutal Legend (Xbox 360) | first = Justin | last = Haywald | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | website = [[1UP.com]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121013092637/http://www.1up.com/reviews/brtal-legend-review | archive-date = October 13, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| CVG = 7.9/10<ref name="cvg review">{{Cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=225326 | title = Review: Brutal Legend | first = Andrew | last = Kelly | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | work = [[Computer and Video Games]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426215011/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/225326/reviews/brtal-legend-review/ | archive-date = April 26, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref name="eurog review">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/brutal-legend-review | title = Brutal Legend | first = Christian | last = Donlan | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120512025313/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/brutal-legend-review | archive-date = May 12, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| GI = 8.0/10<ref name="gi review">{{Cite magazine | url = https://gameinformer.com/games/brutal_legend/b/xbox360/archive/2009/10/13/review.aspx | title = Brutal Legend | first = Matt | last = Bertz | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120503101627/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/brutal_legend/b/xbox360/archive/2009/10/13/review.aspx | archive-date = May 3, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.5/10<ref name="gamespot review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/brutallegend/review.html | title = Brutal Legend Review | website = [[GameSpot]] | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | first = Giancarlo | last = Varanini | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120414020111/http://www.gamespot.com/brutal-legend/reviews/brutal-legend-review-6232907/ | archive-date = April 14, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| GSpy = 4.5/5<ref name="gamespy review">{{Cite web | url = http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/brutal-legend/1034868p1.html | title = The Consensus: Brutal Legend Review | first = Gerald | last = Villoria | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120226060138/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/brutal-legend/1034868p1.html | archive-date = February 26, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| GB = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="giantbomb review">{{Cite web | url = http://www.giantbomb.com/brutal-legend/61-20700/reviews/ | title = Brütal Legend | first = Ryan | last = Davis | date = October 14, 2009 | access-date = October 14, 2009 | publisher = [[Giant Bomb]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120324055058/http://www.giantbomb.com/brutal-legend/61-20700/reviews/ | archive-date = March 24, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| IGN = 9.0/10<ref name="ign review">{{cite web |url= http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1033952p1.html |title= IGN: Brütal Legend Review |website= IGN |first= Daemon |last= Hatfield |date= December 10, 2009 |access-date= December 10, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120516194218/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1033952p1.html |archive-date= May 16, 2012 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}</ref>
| XPlay = 4/5<ref name="xplay review">{{Cite web | url = http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/54491/Brutal-Legend/review/ | title = Brutal Legend Review | first = Jake | last = Gaskill | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130311105930/http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/54491/brutal-legend/review/ | archive-date = March 11, 2013 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
}}

''Brütal Legend'' received positive response from gaming journalists, with reviewers praising the story and characters of the game, and driven vocal performances of the voice actors, particularly Black and Osbourne. Daemon Hatfield of ''[[IGN]]'' felt Black was "completely committed" to the role of Riggs,<ref name="ign review"/> while ''[[Giant Bomb]]''{{'}}s Ryan Davis found it relieving that Black reined in his typical "loud-talking heavy-metal goofball" act that he is known for and instead performed well, "bringing just the right amount of working-man's matter-of-fact-ness to the role".<ref name="giantbomb review"/> Osbourne's role was considered "amazing (and surprisingly coherent)" by ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Giancarlo Varanini and "played brilliantly" by ''[[Computer and Video Games]]''{{'}}s Andrew Kelly.<ref name="cvg review"/> The full cast was commended for their roles; the heavy metal musicians were effective at playing themselves in the game, while the other voice talent performed well and "[did] their part to balance out the star power" in the game.<ref name="gamespot review"/> The strength of the characters was considered to be enhanced by the quality of writing of the story, and the use of facial animation.<ref name="cvg review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/><ref name="ign review"/> ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Christian Donlan considered the characters of ''Brütal Legend'' to be the strongest aspect to the game, distancing the title from other video games due to "rounded, personable leads who are distinctly superior to the usual throngs of cybermen and super-vixens", and a facet of Schafer's signature work.<ref name="eurog review"/> ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''{{'}}s Chris Kohler further attested the strength of the game's story to Schafer's skill, considering that "After ''Brütal Legend'', he should be considered one of the best storytellers in gaming, period."<ref name="wired review">{{Cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/10/brutal-legend-review/ | title = Review: Brütal Legend Rocks the Story, Whiffs the Gameplay | first = Chris | last = Kohler | magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date = October 13, 2009 | access-date = October 13, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091016072454/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/10/brutal-legend-review | archive-date = October 16, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> ''[[1UP.com]]''{{'}}s Justin Haywald noted that the game lacks the ability to review cutscenes, forcing the player to restart the story if they wanted to see these again.<ref name="1up review"/>

The heavy metal-inspired world of ''Brütal Legend'' was also well received, and considered to show a clear reverence for the genre.  Gerald Villoria of ''[[GameSpy]]'' considered the game to be "dedicated to an unabashed love of metal" and "heavy metal fan-service to the highest degree".<ref name="gamespy review"/> Davis believed that the juxtaposition of all the elements that made up the heavy metal fantasy world were the game's greatest strength, often being "both giddily ridiculous and fist-pumpingly badass" at the same time.<ref name="giantbomb review"/> Critics found that while the graphics for the game may not be the most sophisticated for the current console generation, the detailed art aspects of the world were impressive; Varanini considered that "no matter where you are in the world, there's always some cool object to look at",<ref name="gamespot review"/> while Donlan considered the world to be a "constant unfolding delight".<ref name="eurog review"/> The incorporation of heavy metal music into the game also benefited the game. Both Kelly and Villoria considered the soundtrack essential to the game, and praised the moments where specific songs, such as Dragonforce's "Through the Fire and Flames" would be used as background music during specific game sequences.<ref name="cvg review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/> Kelly further praised the game for using the songs to define the action of the game instead of relegated to random background music.<ref name="cvg review"/> Villoria also considered the soundtrack to have "enormous breadth of sound and diversity", introducing the player to heavy metal genres they may not have known even existed.<ref name="gamespy review"/> [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]]'s Jake Gaskill considered listening to the soundtrack to be the equivalent of "taking a class in heavy metal appreciation."<ref name="xplay review"/>

The actual gameplay was seen as ''Brütal Legend''{{'s}} largest weakness. Many reviewers were critical of the incorporation of real-time strategy (RTS) elements into the game, a fact that was not well advertised prior to the game's release and does not become apparent to the player in the first hours of the game.<ref name="eurog review"/><ref name="wired review"/> Though Schafer had set out to make the console-based game like an RTS from the start,<ref name="strategy faq"/> they were warned by both Vivendi and Electronic Arts that "RTS" was "a naughty word in the console space", and instead marketed it as an action game.<ref name="postmortem"/> Despite this, reviewers found that the game was still difficult to play on a console due to the selected controls that made it difficult to target objectives or troops, the lack of a mini-map to track friends and foes, and the frantic pace of battle.<ref name="1up review"/><ref name="gamespot review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/>

Critics did appreciate the slow introduction to the various aspects of the game as part of the single player game, but felt the game did not adequately introduce or explain all of the game's RTS features, such as the ability to mount a final stand on one's stage.<ref name="giantbomb review"/><ref name="wired review"/> Some also considered the single-player campaign Stage Battles to be too easy, winnable by brute force,<ref name="gamespot review"/> and that more advanced tactics would only become apparent as one played in multiplayer games, including learning the abilities and advantages of the other units of the factions other than Ironheade.<ref name="eurog review"/><ref name="gamespot review"/> The mix of gaming genres between the RTS and third-person action was found particularly confusing; Kohler commented that the handling of the individual genres was accomplished well, leading to "an astoundingly complex design instead of a simple one" that diminished the enjoyment of the game,<ref name="wired review"/> while Davis considered that "perhaps there wasn't enough confidence in any one piece to let it carry the whole game".<ref name="giantbomb review"/> However, some felt that the various genres helped to create "a variety of gameplay opportunities",<ref name="ign review"/> and made for "rather elegant" Stage Battles.<ref name="eurog review"/> In retrospect, Schafer lamented that they did not include enough tutorials in the game to guide the player as to "naturally how to play the strategy part a bit better", as they had come to accept over the years of development, and tried to use the Double Fine blog to explain some of these aspects.<ref name="eurog-interview-2010"/> Though some critics argued that stripping out the RTS elements and leaving an action combat game wrapped in the metal-themed world would have been a better game, Schafer countered that this would have not been true to the vision that he had from the start.<ref name="rps schafer pc"/> Schafer would later jokingly refer to the RTS elements of ''Brütal Legend''; during the fundraising for ''[[Broken Age]]'', Schafer teasingly threatened to add RTS elements to the point-and-click if the funding had reached certain levels.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-15-the-kickstarter-conundrum | title = The Kickstarter Conundrum | first = Dan | last = Whitehead | date = February 15, 2012 | access-date = February 15, 2012 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120217195437/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-15-the-kickstarter-conundrum | archive-date = February 17, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

Gameplay outside of the Stage Battles was also met with mixed impressions. Most considered the side missions highly repetitive,<ref name="cvg review"/><ref name="gamespot review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/><ref name="xplay review"/> which included mission types that are generally disliked by gamers, such as [[Quest (gaming)#Escort quests|escort missions]].<ref name="gamespot review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/>  The lack of a mini-map, replaced by either following a glowing light from the sky illuminating the player's target or by navigating based on the Deuce's turn signals, was criticized for making it difficult to explore the game's world.<ref name="1up review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/> The information about the world that players can access in the game's pause menu was also found to be lacking, neither showing the collectible elements of the game on the main map, nor easily identifying the alliance of the various troops in the in-game guidebook.<ref name="1up review"/>  Though Eddie gains the ability to fly during Stage Battles, the inability to use this or to make the character jump led to reviewers getting the character stuck on the landscape at times when exploring.<ref name="1up review"/> Some reviewers found the number of progress checkpoints in the game to be lacking, requiring the player to repeat a long mission if they should die before reaching one.<ref name="cvg review"/><ref name="gamespy review"/> The single-player game was also considered to be short, lasting as little as four hours if one only completed the main story missions.<ref name="eurog review"/><ref name="giantbomb review"/> In 2011, readers of ''[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]]'' voted Eddie Riggs as the 48th top video game character of all time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |title=Guinness Names Top 50 Video Game Characters Of All Time |newspaper=[[Game Informer]] |first=Jeff |last=Marchiafava |date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201201521/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sales===
According to the [[NPD Group]], ''Brütal Legend'' sold approximately 215,000 copies in the United States in October 2009, with about 150,000 copies being for the Xbox 360 platform, making it the 12th-top-selling game in that month.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6239988.html | title = Brutal Legend sells 216K, DJ Hero 123K | first = Tor | last = Thompson | date = November 12, 2009 | access-date = November 19, 2009 | website = [[GameSpot]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091116155125/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6239988.html | archive-date = November 16, 2009 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=26079 | title = NPD: October Top 20 Sees Impressive Demon's Souls Showing | date = November 13, 2009 | access-date = November 19, 2009 | first = Matt | last = Mathews | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018143157/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=26079 | archive-date = October 18, 2012 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> These numbers were not considered to be strong, and were attributed to the difficult marketing of the game, which emphasized Jack Black's involvement and the heavy metal nature of the game, but did not assert what the gameplay would actually be like, with the possibility that the mention of the RTS elements of the game would have possibly driven more players away from the game.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/700714/Brutal-Legend-And-DJ-Hero-Fail-To-Crack-Top-Ten-In-Sales.html | title = Brutal Legend And DJ Hero Fail To Crack Top Ten In Sales | first = Stephan | last = Johnson | date = November 13, 2009 | access-date = November 19, 2009 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042302/http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/700714/Brutal-Legend-And-DJ-Hero-Fail-To-Crack-Top-Ten-In-Sales.html | archive-date = December 1, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> In an interview in February 2011, Schafer claimed that the game had sold over 1.4 million copies.<ref name="gamasutra stacking interview">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/schafer-admits-fantasy-of-flatulence-on-youth | title = Schafer Admits Fantasy Of Flatulence On Youth | first = Christian | last = Nutt | date = February 11, 2011 | access-date = February 11, 2011 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110213134750/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6284/schafer_admits_fantasy_of_.php | archive-date = February 13, 2011 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

According to data collected through [[Nielsen SoundScan]], some songs contained within ''Brütal Legend''{{'}}s soundtrack saw digital sales increases of up to 700% following the game's release, similar to the effects of ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'', though impact on overall sales of these songs was rather small.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/18/technology/tech-us-2009-games.html | title = Sales Of Music Video Games Plummet In 2009 | agency = Reuters | date =December 18, 2009 |access-date = December 20, 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

===Awards===
Black was given the Best Voice award at the [[Spike Video Game Awards]] 2009.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.spike.com/event/vga2009/page/vote/category/34771 | title = Best Voice Award | date = December 19, 2009 | access-date = January 13, 2010 | publisher = [[Spike TV]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100111185209/http://www.spike.com/event/vga2009/page/vote/category/34771 | archive-date = January 11, 2010 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> During the [[13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] awarded ''Brütal Legend'' with "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year|Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack]]"; it also received nominations for outstanding achievement in "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Character Performance]]" (for Eddie Riggs), "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Original Story]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction|Game Direction]]".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncharted-2-among-thieves-breaks-away-and-flees-with-10-awards-during-the-13th-annual-interactive-achievement-awards-84757542.html | title = 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' Breaks Away and Flees with 10 Awards During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards | date = February 18, 2010 | access-date = February 18, 2010 | publisher = [[PR Newswire]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121008111006/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncharted-2-among-thieves-breaks-away-and-flees-with-10-awards-during-the-13th-annual-interactive-achievement-awards-84757542.html | archive-date = October 8, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interactive.org/images/pdfs/13th_Annual_IAA_Finalists.pdf |title=13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Finalists |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215035543/http://www.interactive.org/images/pdfs/13th_Annual_IAA_Finalists.pdf |archive-date=February 15, 2010 }}</ref>

The game was also nominated for the [[Game Developers Choice Awards]] for "Best Writing" and "Best Audio".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncharted-2-flower-assassins-creed-ii-lead-finalists-for-the-tenth-annual-game-developers-choice-awards-82054972.html | title = Uncharted 2, Flower, Assassin's Creed II Lead Finalists for the Tenth Annual Game Developers Choice Awards | publisher = PR Newswire | date = January 19, 2010 | access-date = January 24, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100122044259/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncharted-2-flower-assassins-creed-ii-lead-finalists-for-the-tenth-annual-game-developers-choice-awards-82054972.html | archive-date = January 22, 2010 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Full Throttle (1995 video game)|Full Throttle]]'', an earlier [[Tim Schafer]] game featuring bikers and heavy metal music

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{Cite web| url = http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/28/brutal-legend-concep.html | title = Thrashing, mad, metal: the art of Double Fine's Brütal Legend | publisher = [[Boing Boing]] | first = Brandon | last = Boyer | date = October 28, 2009 | access-date = October 28, 2009 }}

<ref name=gangpetermcinterview>{{cite web|author1=Smith, John|title=Interview with brutal game composer legend, Peter McConnell|url=http://www.audiogang.org/interview-with-brutal-game-composer-legend-peter-mcconnell/|website=Game Audio Network Guild|access-date=February 8, 2015|date=November 21, 2010|quote=Drums were played by Y&T Drummer Mike Vanderhule and recorded by Jory Prum at studio Jory in Fairfax.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180140/http://www.audiogang.org/interview-with-brutal-game-composer-legend-peter-mcconnell/|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
}}

==External links==

*[http://www.doublefine.com/brutallegend/ Official website]


{{Tim Schafer}}
{{Double Fine Productions}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Brutal Legend}}
[[Category:2009 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Wii games]]
[[Category:Double Fine games]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts games]]
[[Category:Heavy metal subculture]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:Lua (programming language)-scripted video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Open-world video games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Peter McConnell]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]
[[Category:Portal fantasy]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Action-strategy video games]]
[[Category:Adventure strategy games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Brütal Legend|access_date=2026-02-27}}