Eurogamer conducted a live interview with Mr Tim Schafer this afternoon. You can read the results over here, but a couple of points more pertinent to our fields are highlighted below. The major headline would be: Brutal Legend definitely isn’t coming to PC, despite all our mewling and whining. There’s also some interesting comments about his thoughts on the potential for a Grim Fandango sequel.
So this will probably be the last time we’ll crowbar a reference to Brutal Legend onto the site. Our plan at first was to just assume it would be annouced for PC so nonchalantly that Double Fine would assume they’d made this decision at some point and get on with it. Then it turned to pleading. But when directly asked during the EG live chat, he confirmed it would not:
Gurrah asks: I’ll keep it short: No PC version, why? I’m sad.
Tim Schafer: Well it’s really an action game, that when you play it you’ll see that it was meant to be on a console.
My question is, ‘Why all the hate for consoles?’ If you hate consoles, that means you hate Katamari Damacy, Okami, ICO, and you are in fact a bad person. A bad person who should send all their hate mail to Eurogamer and not to me.
Super Moderating Hero: Cheeky! Will there ever be a PC version? Is there hope?
Tim Schafer: We are really focused on the Xbox 360 and PS3 version right now.
It’s perhaps not the most fortunate reply. While we recognise that some games just are built around a gamepad, and don’t map to mouse/keyboard in a way the developer can support, it would have been perhaps more tactful to explain it like that. There’s no question that PC fanboys have made a loud and unpleasant sound around the subject, and reading through such vitriol and hate can’t have endeared anyone at the developer to considering a port. But such loud-mouthed morons are by far in the minority amongst those who hoped the game would be coming to their chosen platform. I’m sure those who simply don’t own 360s or PS3s would prefer not to be lumped in with the haters. We entirely agree with Schafer’s remarks – people who hate glorious console games are rubbish-faces. They’re just not representative of most PC gamers.
However, let’s not get worked up. The reality is, Brutal Legend is not for PC, which is a shame. The lessons here are: If you believe something enough in your heart it isn’t any more likely to happen, and wanting something enough isn’t enough. And fairies aren’t real.
Later Eurogamer asked how Tim would feel if someone were to remake something like Grim Fandango. It’s awesome to see the passion he still has for the game in his reply.
Super Moderating Hero: Would you like Telltale to remake any other of the games you had a hand in? What about Grim Fandago? Is that a decision you have a say in?
Tim Schafer: I don’t have any say in that, really, since I don’t own that properly. Even though I like those guys, anybody but me making a Grim Fandango game would really make me very sad. Whenever I hear a rumor about someone making Grim 2, I literally can’t sleep that night.
Hard to explain. I feel a very personal connection with those games. That’s one of the main reasons I started Double Fine. So I could have a say in what was done with the characters and worlds we make up. And so with Psychonauts or Brutal Legend, if anything happens with those stories, you know it will come from us!
You can read the rest of the interview here.
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plus it has jack black in it and i doubt even schafer can make him funny.
“My question is, ‘Why all the hate for consoles?’ ”
I don´t hate them, I just don´t own them, I don´t want to own them just for the few games that really matter, I already have a PC and I want(ed) to play your game… Simple as that.
There´s like 3 or 4 of them you know, currently active consoles I mean, they all have games worth playing and neither the platform nor the games come exactly for free in a mcdonalds happy meal.
I always felt guilty for not liking Psychonauts, since all the critics “in the know” seem to think he is the greatest . I no longer feel guilty. I don’t own a console and have plenty of PC Games – including ACTION titles. Saying this I hope he reconsiders since I suspect it wouldn’t do as well as people think; and snubbing an historical part of your audience is a bad thing.
Well guys, the thing is, there are so many good games on consoles (downloadable or hard retail) that the purchase of one, in my case a 360, is just perfectly logical.
I’ve spent a shit ton of money on my PC gaming rig, way more on individual components than i’ve invested in a console. They simply aren’t that expensive versus what you get for that money. Put another way (a hateful way), there is a reason people buy consoles.
This is kind of a mirror argument to the “why is game X only on the 360 and not the PS3″ hullabaloo, and i think it’s even more moot. The 360 and PS3 are at least analogous. The PC is, imho, different enough a beast in terms of the market and userbase that it doesn’t warrant a port if the port will er.. feel like a port.
I’m GLAD Prototype is on the PC, but it has no business being on there. It feels completely abberrant. On the other hand, i fear the day ARMA2 makes its console debut.
Consoles are good at console games. PCs are good at PC games. There is a difference, and i don’t think it’s justifiable to call Tim Schafer a dick for being conscious of that.
@Sunjammer – you do know that the original Operation Flashpoint got ported to the Xbox, and successfully, too? Almost no changes beyond the editor getting simplified a bit. If that can make it to consoles unharmed, then anything is possible, with a good enough team doing the porting.
Who am I kidding? I can’t afford to buy a machine that does only one thing, no matter how good the games are/might be.
I’d love to hear what the core differences are between console and PC games from a professional, well adjusted persons point of view.
I’m not really seeing it myself.
And if anyone chips in with gamepads just aren’t made for FPS’s I’ll go nuts. I play L4D, TF2 etc with my 360 pad and still whoop arse.
Personally feel that the analogue (as apposed to digital) input for movement gives me an advantage when playing with classes such as the scout, sniper and spy.
Why I “hate” consoles?
Because of jerk answers like that. Oh, and exclusives.
Hell, Ive considered to buy a console for ages (but again, one console isnt enough either because of their fucking (sorry) exclusives), just havent done it, and to be realistic, Im probably not going to.
Burtal Legend seems like a game I would have bought (although I would wait for reviews) but its not a game that would make me get a console on its own.
Also, surely building a game that’s so tightly based around a specific control scheme is madness from a developer/profit point of view.
The reason I don’t have a console is that I don’t have a TV so buying a console would also include a TV and a liscence. Which combined cost more than my upper-mid range computer.
But oh my, these comments are painful to read.
Reply to Quests
You do realise the DS is the reason for the adventure and turn based strategy renaissance right?
To quote Kanye West: Tim Schaefer doesn’t care about PC GAMERS!
“And if anyone chips in with gamepads just aren’t made for FPS’s I’ll go nuts.”
Ummm, gamepads aren’t made for FPSs?
*ducks*
When you say you whoop ass, can you whoop ass against someone with a mouse? In that case, ass is still being whooped, but not optimal whooping.
I’ve honestly tried to play FPSs with a gamepad, but have given up. The sniper rifle in Halo 3 is perhaps the most useless weapon I have, and I drunkensly sway up,down left and right trying to centre on someone’s head. Perhaps I am just too old.
P.
What a dick.
@Paul Moloney
“When you say you whoop ass, can you whoop ass against someone with a mouse? In that case, ass is still being whooped, but not optimal whooping.”
You forgot an important qualifier: “with the auto-aim turned off.” Most console gamers don’t realize how imprecise controllers are as a result of the default auto-aim in every console FPS game.
WHY YOU DO THAT TIM? ;_;
Also
“They should just add “Official Xbox 360 Controller” to the minimum requirements and port it over, if that makes em feel better. ”
People would bitch about *that.*
” I drunkensly sway”
That was a typo, but now that I read it again, I think “drunkensly” is an even better word.
P.
Tom, a control scheme is as intrinsic to a game design as anything else. On consoles, 100% reconfigurable schemes are an extreme rarity, and that has been the accepted standard for over a decade. PC gamers are about the only demographic that consistently demand completely reconfigurable controls.
Gamepads since the Dreamcast have been roughly analogous (barring the Wii insanity, and even that has the classic controller), so a console control scheme rarely if ever needs rethinking when a game is ported to another console. Only for the PC, and honestly, if i have to take my console centric game design and jury rig it to play tight on a PC as well (possibly having to rebalance it because of the lack of analog movement controls and single “analog stick”), and all that for a market where piracy is rampant and distribution is anarchy, methinks it’s time to say fuck you PCs.
It’s not madness. It’s sensibility.
Who cares? Tim Schafer turned to shit long ago.
IMO, there are two genres that control better on PCs than consoles: FPS games, and Strategy games.
Anything outside of those genres is better off on a console.
“Most console gamers don’t realize how imprecise controllers are as a result of the default auto-aim in every console FPS game.”
Indeed, and that – the fact that the game is playing itself for you – is another reason I just don’t understand FPSs on console. The main reason I enjoy GTA IV on PC far more over the originals is that you can finally shoot as you like without having to use that awful targetting system. (I just wish I could finish that last damn mission.)
P.
“but not optimal whooping.” LOL!
“You forgot an important qualifier: “with the auto-aim turned off.””
There is no auto aim option in the PC versions of L4D or TF2.
I’m a PC gamer mate. No consoles in my house. Apart from an old XBox modded with XMBC (which is freakin’ awesome by the by – http://xbmc.org/)
“Most console gamers don’t realize how imprecise controllers are as a result of the default auto-aim in every console FPS game.”
They’re highly precise, and movement is considerable more precise. The difference is imo when using K+M you rely on the mouse for aiming. With a controller you reply on a combination of movement and aiming – which I swear to god can work to your advantage.
Meh
Is Tom being serious? Well I laughed at least. Ty m8.
Ah, quick yer bitching.
You KNOW full well once the game’s been released they’re gonna work on a PC version for Steam. :/
I just bought SFIV for PC I’m pretty sure it wasn’t designed to run on a mouse and keyboard. BUT IT WORKS!
Wow this is depressing. I really had hoped it would find its way to PC. I adore Tim, not just from his games but I love reading his blog, but those are pitiful arguments. (a) This isn’t about hating consoles, it’s about loving the PC. (b) A gamepad works great on a PC. (c) Psychonauts was in no way “for a PC” – it was a console game through and through – and yet it was great. (d) And even if hating consoles is part of it, that doesn’t mean hate for some of the great games for consoles. It’s equally regretful that those never made it to the PC!
Seriously, I know we all say stupid things sometimes when we are put on the spot but I’m really disappointed with Tim’s response. I’d rather him just say it was a business decision and those are the breaks than make up utterly absurd excuses.
That’s circular reasoning, i think — using it some dozen years back we could argue that FPS games are “completely aberrant” on consoles because at that time there wasn’t any, and the gamepads of the era offered inferior input scheme compared to mouse/keyboard.
As it is now a gamepad is something easily available and supported from the get-go on a PC, and so there’s very little technical reasons against releasing action games built around such control scheme on the PC. It is also a much cheaper purchase than a console — so it is rather funny to see arguments how making certain games for console only is “fine, people just need to buy a console, they only cost few hundreds” but at the same time making these very games on PCs can’t possibly work “because not everyone has a gamepad”…
“I’ve spent a shit ton of money on my PC gaming rig, way more on individual components than i’ve invested in a console.”
Ok, i know you’re not a PC gamer now cause a real PC gamer knows the most expensive part is the graphics card, and a graphics card that can run even crysis on max details (GF260gtx) can be had for $180, which is about half what a 360 with hd goes for.
Also, what the hell is this about Prototype?
It plays excellent with M&K, the only thing it could use is not being stupid about letting you map keys on additional mouse buttons.
Got my subscribers edition of PC Zone today;
Page 23 reads as follows, when asked the question “Why no Brutal Legend for PC?”
He replies that if it were up to him then it would be available “for all formats”. The interviewer then goes on to put the blame on EA directly.
So maybe Mr. Schafer’s lighthearted “hater” remark has been blown out of all proportion by angry internet men.
“The reason I don’t have a console is that I don’t have a TV so buying a console would also include a TV and a liscence. Which combined cost more than my upper-mid range computer.”
Well, my Xbox 360 can easily be hooked up to my computer monitor. Sound is no problem either, just plug the S/PDIF into my audio card, and woila, 5.1 Dolby Digital sound though my PC speakers. In fact, I don’t even own a telly, and still game on most current gen platforms. So I would hardly say that a TV + license is required.
“Ok, i know you’re not a PC gamer now cause a real PC gamer knows the most expensive part is the graphics card, and a graphics card that can run even crysis on max details (GF260gtx) can be had for $180, which is about half what a 360 with hd goes for.”
In the US perhaps. A GF260gtx as you mentioned, can be had for around £130 and a 60GB 360 sets you back around £160. Hardly double the price.
But regarding TS comment, I can’t really get mad about it. Yes, I would have liked it to get a PC release too, but I have long since realised that in order to play the games that I want to, I need to invest in more than one platform. However, I usually wait a while after launch before I get a new console. That way I can get it at a reduced price, and the games I am interested in are usually also cheap (yes, console games can get price reductions too).
Perhaps I am just more patient than the average gamer. ;)
Pity; it looks kinda cool, I would have bought a copy.
Oh, well. I’ll have to go play something else, instead.
RPS comment threads: The bastion of tolerance :)
There’s a third genre that belongs on PCs: MMOs. Don’t even TRY to make a console MMO. You need lots of buttons, text chat and precise mouse controls.
Although I like some console FPSes. It’s possible to play some of them and actually enjoy it!
It’s amazing how many haters there are here. I like being able to buy a cheap game off XBLA now and then. Some games have PC ports, but they tend to cost more. Consoles have just as many fun little (exclusive) indie game releases as the PC nowadays, so I feel they’re required :)
They are a fuck load more tolerant than most other gaming site comment threads, to be fair.
@Toby:
Can’t say i know about the prices in Europe, but here:
GF260gtx $184.99 with a $30 mail in rebate for a total of 154.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434
Cheapest Xbox with a HD: $299:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16868105009
$399 for the pro version.
The point being, it’s really obvious when someone who’s doesn’t know crap about PC gaming tries to ninja slam the PC with lame arguments like “i’m a PC gamer too and it sucks i spend more money on one component than on a console!, see i’m one of you!”.
Agree with GapGen, I just don’t want to pay console prices and I’d rather play on PC.
And no, they can do what they like with their product.
What is irritating is the implication that because I like PC I am an unreasoning fanboy with only hate for the consoles that I paid (a lot) of money for, and trying to pretend to me that the PC can’t handle the game is patronising.
Or rather, yes, they can do what they like with their product!
I always knew this would come down to EA. :/
I think the article creator has too much respect for Tim to actually be critical of what he says. You could do a PC port of a game like this with ease, all you’d really need to throw on it is another 4-5 people to balance controls/UI issues and recompile code to get it working on PC hardware. It’s not difficult at all or expensive and pretty embarrassing that it’s something that they couldn’t manage considering this is supposed to be a game that’s cost upwards of 15-20 million dollars to develop.
And on a lighter note, here’s 17 minutes of gameplay footage, playing through the tutorial area of the game, narrated by Tim Schaefer.
http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-brutal-legend/17-979/
After that video, the game apparently turns into an open-world Zeldalike, which is pretty neat.
(note: I refer to PCs as “personal computers” and not necessarily “IBM-compatibles”)
*Puts on crotchety old man pants and straw hat*
Whenever personal computing platforms and the PC roughly aligned in architecture and capability, two things happen:
1. Mainstream gaming press asks “Is this the end for games on PC?”
2. Lots of games get ported back and forth.
The 8-bit era: Turrican was a C64 game that got ported all over the 8-bit universe; lots of games for the weird panoply of Japanese 8/16-bit PCs made the leap to the Famicom and NES (Metal Gear was originally a game for the MSX), and some games made for the Famicom went back the other way. Many games that started on the Apple ][ made it to NES in some form or another; Ultima(s) for one(s).
Then, high end 386 machines and Amiga begin to exceed the consoles in some technical areas, and in the case of the PC, lag behind in others. Fewer games get ported in between, but some seminal arcade ports make the jump, like Street Fighter 2.
Ah, the Playstation era. Arguably a golden age of PC gaming. We PC types began to get everything- internet multiplayer, LAN parties, 3D graphics. Because PCs were so much more powerful in the 3D department than the PSX, PCs received a port of anything anyone cared about- Final Fantasy 7-9 (playing FF on PC is “wrong”? Hah! FF7 shipped with Glide support!), Metal Gear Solid, every awful 3D fighter, and the worst of the lot- up-ports of FPSes designed for the Playstation pre-analog stick.
The PS2 arrived, ushered in a brief era in which it was too much work to port a custom lump of code for the (then) more powerful PS2 to PC. PC had to wait awhile for GTA3, but once that crossed over, the ports started to trickle in. The Xbox was kept on life support by ports of PC shooters, and there never was much 3rd part stuff to migrate off the Wii.
Now, we again live in an age where the capabilities of PCs and consoles are on par. Lots of games go back and forth between platforms, though fewer PC games this generation seem to be making the leap.. Capcom is making an honest effort on their console->PC ports; while the UI in their games might scream console, they are stellar experiences nonetheless.
With Squeenix buying into the PC RTS market with Supreme Commander, Blizzard raking in zillions of dollars on PC gaming, I don’t think anyone can say PC gaming is dead. Developers do make lots of excuses though, and if we players read between the lines carefully, we arrive at the truth:
Publishers are colluding with console manufacturers to lock down the player’s experience as far as they can, in order to look for more cash. The PC, what with the freedom and all, doesn’t fit at all into their plans.
I feel that digital gaming in general was a far more diverse place in those times when games moved both directions.
Tim Shafer, I am buying Brutal Legend, used, for $15. No delicious Duck-Money for you.
Instead of buying a $300 console, I bought a $30 gamepad for my PC. It’s a shame Brutal Legend won’t be coming to my platform, because that means I don’t get to play it. :(
Instead of buying a $300 console, I bought a $30 gamepad for my PC. It’s a shame Brutal Legend won’t be coming to PC because that means I don’t get to play it. :(
Some games are designed for consoles, some for PC. What’s the big deal? We don’t see console gamers pissing and moaning because they aren’t getting StarCraft 2, do we?
The last thing anyone wants is half-hearted ports on either platform. Let the consoles have great games, and the PC too. A small dev team like Doublefine can only tackle so many platforms at once. If the game does well we may yet see our PC port.
ToadSmokingDuckMonkey said –
“Publishers are colluding with console manufacturers to lock down the player’s experience as far as they can, in order to look for more cash. The PC, what with the freedom and all, doesn’t fit at all into their plans.”
In that paragraph, I think is the truth of matter. I don’t think its some vast conspiracy, just the way the markets heading considering the large development costs these days for a AAA title.
With Halo Wars selling a million units in a single month don’t get too attached to this particular argument.
Whatever. Bohemia seem to be making money hand over fist with hardcore PC titles like ArmA 2, so I will just support developers like them. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the console kids sharing in the fun, but I agree with the “first wife” commenters. These developers made their names and fortunes on PC games and now they leave us in the cold. Not classy.
Sparta!
(Sorry, couldn’t resist)