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Clash of the Titans screens highlight multi-headed beasts
Click image to fetch some more screens If you think our last batch of screens depicted some ugly creatures from Namco Bandai's upcoming Clash of the Titans, then we guess this latest round of shots are par for the course. Featuring several screens of the multi-headed nasty you see above, our gallery below is a veritable playground of potential nightmare inducers. This beast is like a smaller, more nimble version of Cerberus from Devil May Cry 3. Maybe a bit less chilly, too. Anyway, feel free to hit up the gallery below for the new screens. %Gallery-87927%
See 'The Flash' superhero game in action -- before it disappeared
We'll be the first to admit that the early gameplay footage for a canned The Flash game -- the one BottleRocket was rumored to be making for Brash -- looks a little rough, as you'll see right after the break. But considering how early the footage is (just six months into development), we can't help but think there's a little something there. We don't know if it's the animation, the sense of speed or maybe just the borrowed Danny Elfman score, but we're feeling like this canceled rendering of the Scarlet Speedster is a definite missed opportunity. [Via superannuation]
Namco Bandai announces Clash of the Titans for 2010
First off, welcome to all you Harry Hamlin fans who've been brought to our site by the headline! Unfortunately, we'll have to disappoint you: Namco Bandai's newly announced Clash of the Titans game is based on the upcoming film remake, not the HarHam-starring classic that you've come to love. The Games Republic-developed action game, which should arrive near the new film's spring 2010 opening, features 100 different enemies, and was originally tied to now-defunct movie-to-game factory Brash, but we'll try not to hold that against it. Expect more news and media regarding this title later today.
Konami will seize 'Saw' license
Konami's upcoming Silent Hill "re-imagining" doesn't mark its only forthcoming foray into the horror genre. According to The Cut Scene, the publisher has confirmed that it will seize Saw for an upcoming licensed game, hoping to balance the film franchise's gore and depraved puzzles with ... well, the gore and depraved puzzles one might expect to encounter in a video game. Konami's marketing director, David Daniels, saw fit to label the move as a no-brainer, what with Saw having seen ticket sales of "over $600 million worldwide" and having sold over 16 million DVDs. Once considered as deceased publisher Brash's last chance at rising above mediocrity, the Saw game will be completed by developer Zombie and released alongside the next film -- Saw VI, in case you lost track -- this Fall on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.Tasking you with navigating an asylum and defusing Jigsaw's trademark deathtraps, the Saw game promises to adopt an overt style of horror and make you "turn away from the screen for just a moment because of the visual intensity." Experience some of that visual intensity for yourself in the gallery below:%Gallery-49262%
Alleged screens and video from Factor 5's canned Superman game
Some footage and screens from Factor 5's Superman project have managed to make their way online, courtesy of Unseen64. While we would've liked to have seen some actual gameplay, sadly the only items on offer are a brief CG trailer (past the break) and some screens. We'd offer our opinion on it all one way or the other, but all of this media seems to be from really early in the game's development -- who knows which way the title was headed?Well, in the opposite direction of Superman 64 would have been nice.%Gallery-47397%[Via IGN]
Sneak a peek at BottleRocket's Flash game
From the "Things That Might Have Been" file, early images from a game based on DC's The Flash (reportedly in development for now-defunct Brash) have popped up on personal sites of artists Bryan Johnson and Veronica Lynn Harper. Both sites say the work was being done for an unannounced 360 title being developed by BottleRocket. We've reached out to the company for comment.It's a shame, too. The Flash, we'd imagine, would be a tough license to nail and we're curious how BottleRocket would have handled it.[Via VG247 and superannuation]%Gallery-45058%
Variety: Konami wants to play a game, picks up Saw rights
Variety's sources are claiming that Konami has picked up the rights from Lionsgate to publish games based on the Saw movies. The publisher allegedly nabbed the rights following the closure of previous rights owner Brash Entertainment. Licensed game aficionados -- there have to be some of you out there -- will be thrilled to learn that Konami plans to release its first Saw title in time for the release of the next film, which is ... let's see ... Saw VI. The game will be developed by Zombie Studios, best known for its work on Super Bubble Pop America's Army.Apparently, Lionsgate had considered developing the game internally -- which would have been the first time the company had attempted game development -- but eventually decided to license the property to an experienced publisher instead. Probably a good idea. The game will reportedly be available on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.
Bloody Disgusting: Saw on the hunt for new publisher
Despite what we've heard before, it appears that a video game adaptation of gorenography hit Saw wasn't quite done enough to be finished up before developer Brash collapsed in on itself like a beautiful, dying star. Horror site Bloody Disgusting says that the game, which was close to completion, is now in need of a new home.This would be a slam dunk for Joystiq Publishing to pick up, were it not such a terrible, terrible idea for a game.
Atari picking up Brash's 'The Tale of Despereaux'
Unlike everybody else watching the spectacular demise of film-to-game flop factory Brash, we've been vaguely curious as to what fates would befall the company's leftover licenses. According to Variety's Cut Scene blog, we can count "The Tale of Despereaux" among the survivors, as Atari has purchased the North American publishing rights for the PC, PS2 and Wii versions of the game. In addition, Atari will be distributing the DS version, which is being produced by Universal itself.For those unfamiliar with the source material -- that is, the book that the film is based on -- Despereaux follows the heroic exploits of a mouse with huge ears and an even bigger sense of chivalry. It probably says just that on the movie poster.
Brash goes out with a fascinating bang
OK, clear the next half hour or so of your day, because you simply have to read Ben Fritz' stunning piece on the downfall of Brash (oh, you remember, it was the game studio that aimed to change the image of terrible licensed games by making horrible licensed games). For example, did you know Brash created its sales projections on Space Chimps assuming it was made by Fox animation (the house behind mega-hit Ice Age) when in fact, Fox was only releasing the film? It's true!You owe it to yourself to see all the games Brash had in development, where its cash went, its "Wall Street" MMO and, of course, the Mickey Mouse story. With Brash officially dead, this is pure rubbernecking at the scene of the crash ... but that's not honestly going to stop you, is it?
Factor 5 speaks out on 'Superman' game
Last week's closure of Brash Entertainment left a number of unanswered questions lingering, and as thrilled as we are that Saw is still set to get its game on, we're more curious to find out if Superman survived the publisher's swift implosion. The Man of Steel was allegedly the subject of a deal between Brash and Factor 5 earlier this year, and MTV Multiplayer recently caught up with the Lair developer's president, Julian Eggebrecht, to find out more.While the exec admitted that Factor 5 is working on "several" multi-platform and Wii-specific titles, he stopped just short of admitting that the studio is developing a game based on Superman. "One of our large-scale multi-platform projects was started with Brash because it is a dream property for us, hasn't been given its dues in gaming since the Atari 2600, and has a huge universe to draw from," teased Eggebrecht, who added that "things are obviously in flux and we hope that the game proves to be as indestructible as our hero..."Though still unconfirmed, it seems fairly obvious that Factor 5 has its sights set on the son of Jor-El. We just hope that there's something left of him after his current cross-universe beatdown.
Variety: Brash to cease operations today
"High-quality theatrical based games" publisher Brash Entertainment is officially dead, as of today, according to a report from Variety. The company is reportedly planning to cease operations, with investors having walked away following co-founder Thomas Tull's departure in October.No word yet on the fate of Brash's many licensed developments, including Tale of Desperaux, Night at the Museum 2, Saw and the rumored Superman project with Factor 5. We've contacted the company for an official statement.
Brash layoffs result from 'tough economic landscape' [update]
Several weeks after another Brash Entertainment co-founder bolted and CEO Mitch Davis admitted his company had been "overly ambitious" in its first year, the publisher of really bad movie-based games has laid out a new "strategic cost reduction plan." Uh-oh, that sounds like ... you've got it: Layoffs. The company will axe 20 members of its staff and do away with several positions in the short term, reports GameDaily. The good news? Six Flags Fun Park for Wii and SAW are still on! Phew.Read Brash's official statement after the break.Update: Variety reports Brash has also stopped paying its developers and is attempting to "return" or sell off many of its licensed properties. Currently in limbo: Tale of Desperaux, Prison Break, Night at the Museum 2, Clash of the Titans, 300, and an announced Superman game (allegedly to be developed by Factor 5).
Brash boss: first year 'overly ambitious,' outlines improvement plan
Speaking with GameDaily in response Monday's Variety article (which we had our own response to) on the "turmoil" surrounding Brash Entertainment, CEO Mitch Davis acknowledged that "we took our lumps" on its first three titles – Jumper: Griffin's Story, Alvin & The Chipmunks, and Space Chimps – which scored 29, 33, and 55 (out of 100) on aggregate. Davis also vowed that changes are in store; ones that will hopefully lead to better games."First and foremost, we've put an end to short-cycle games," Davis told GameDaily, adding that, "some of our games will benefit from up to three years of development." This may explain why we've yet to see titles in development by Factor 5 and Game Republic, two of several "better development studios" Davis believes will help Brash get back on solid ground quality-wise.Speaking to the departure of company execs and other staff, Davis stated, "After our first few games did not meet expectation we decided that we needed to upgrade our staff," pointing to the hiring of former Activision licensing head Lori Plager as Senior Vice President, in charge of intellectual property acquisitions. Quality games based on quality source material? Sounds good – Brash just has to prove it can manage the former before gamers en mass can get behind this newly "refined" publisher.
Another Brash co-founder, Thomas Tull, bolts
Shockingly, the Brash formula of churning out abysmal movie-based games with little (read: no) redeeming qualities apparently hasn't panned out so well. Now, another of the company's co-founders, Legendary Pictures' Thomas Tull, has followed the lead of former boss Nicholas Longano and vertically disembarked from Brash: The Boat Made of Holes by leaving the company's board.Proving that the rich and the proletariat do share some common ground, Variety reports "Tull is believed to have been disappointed with the quality of Brash's games." Welcome to the clubhouse, Tom. Sorry it's so packed in here.
Brash planning Prison Break game
Yes, as in a game based on the tedious television show starring perennially pouting Wentworth Whatshisface. Who better to act as warden to this societal dreg than Brash Entertainment, the house that built Jumper: Griffin's Story, Alvin & The Chipmunks and (and!) Space Chimps?According to Gamespot, the Prison Break video game turned itself in via an advert tucked inside the show's recent Season 3 DVD box set. Aside from a February 2009 release window, little else is known about the project. We'd normally submit a scenario about siblings busting out of a prison -- a "prison break" if you will -- but the show managed to drag on even after its titular event had unfolded. But hey, people are still watching, so the game may just succeed in finding a captive audience.
Space Chimps doesn't look like a game based on a movie
Brash Entertainment just shot over some new screens for their upcoming game, Space Chimps. It's based on a soon-to-be-released movie of the same name. Check out the boxart above, then hit up the gallery for some more screens. For a game that's based on a movie, it doesn't look all that bad.If you want more, there's a video embedded past the post break, also.%Gallery-26093%
Film-focused game dev Brash loses president, hope
Nicholas Longano, co-founder and former president at film-centric game developer Brash Entertainment, has parted ways with the company according to a Daily Variety report, as well as scooped up by Newsweek's own N'Gai Croal. While the executive will keep an interest in the company as an investor, he'll no longer steer the ship and its focus on creating "high quality theatrical based games." Instead, that duty for the time being will fall to CEO Mitch Davis, who founded the company along with Longano just one year ago.Brash, which currently has movie-to-game deals in place with Lair dev Factor 5 and Yoshiki Okamoto's studio Game Republic, as well as a game based on gore-porn film franchise Saw, hasn't come forward with an official reason for the executive's quick exit. However, we remain unconvinced that the road to prosperity is paved in movie licenses, as the company's two existing releases, namely Alvin & the Chipmunks and Jumper: Griffin's Story, were both panned by critics. Additionally, while the former achieved decent sales, the report notes that the Jumper tie-in managed to sell just a measly 16,000 copies since it was released.
Brash Entertainment making a Six Flags game?
According to a listing over at Gamefly, Brash Entertainment, the folks behind the Alvin and the Chipmunks games on the DS and Wii, are hard at work on a title centered around the Six Flags theme parks. Brash, who are knee-deep in other movie license games, is taking a departure from their usual stomping grounds, should this listing turn out to be for an actual game.And what should we expect from this game if it's to become a reality? We have no idea right now, but we will say that we have seen plenty of games that confine you to a theme park, so we're leaning toward this being a sim title.The real question is would you want to manage a virtual Six Flags on your DS?[Via Siliconera]
Brash taps Lair dev Factor 5 for yet another movie game
Brash has an unrelenting love for games based on movie IP, and as if patterning its business model after a remake of Freaks, the publisher has convinced yet another developer to become one of us. The latest studio to sign on the dotted line is Lair dev Factor 5, which according to Brash involves an unspecified title to be revealed "around the E3 Expo" in July.The news follows the announcement yesterday of a deal between Brash and Folklore Dec Game Republic on another secretive movie-to-game deal. While it's true that film-games have earned their place as everyone's favorite whipping boy, Factor 5 co-founder and president Julian Eggebrecht seems pleased as punch about the whole affair, stating that "because the filmmaker is a game fan who is really excited about how we want to expand on the story of the film, we've been given a lot of latitude." Let's just hope this time they leave any motion-sensitive controls up to the professionals.
