Activision Absorbs Crash, Spyro, Chops Ghostbusters, Brutal Legend. (Oh, Vin Diesel and 50 Cent, Too)

July 29, 2008

Developers Activision announced Monday it would be streamlining its Vivendi/Sierra properties, absorbing franchises Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Ice Age, Prototype, and an as-yet-unannounced title, GameSpot reports.

What’s painful about the announcement is what the Guitar Hero-money engorged company isn’t, uh, absorbing—namely a host of high profile titles (and 50 Cent’s new game), whose futures are completely up in the air. The titles include: Brutal Legend, the Heavy Metal-powered Tim Schafer title featuring the voice of Jack Black; the much hyped Ghostbusters game, featuring the original cast; Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, featuring the voice of Vin Diesel; World at Conflict: Soviet Assault; 50 Cent Blood on the Sand (LOL!); Zombie Wranglers; Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust; as well as several Xbox Live Arcade titles.

"We have conducted a thorough review of Vivendi Games' brand portfolio and are retaining those franchises and titles that are a strong fit with our long-term product strategy," Activision’s CEO of Publishing, Mike Griffith, said in a statement. “We are reviewing our options regarding those titles that we will not be publishing."

Hints of the shakeup/absorption surfaced during Comic Con, when a panel on the Ghostbusters game was abruptly cancelled without explanation.

While nothing concrete about the future of the games has been confirmed, it’s not looking great, although a Sierra Games rep told GameSpot that—while he couldn't speak about all the titles on the list—Ghostbusters is not canceled. Also, Brutal Legend head developer Schafer posted on the Double Fine (his company's) website: "Brutal Legend is fine."