Double Fine Releases Rare Brütal Legend Pitch Video for Rocktober Celebration

Double Fine Unveils Unreleased Brütal Legend Pitch Video to Mark Rocktober Anniversary Double Fine, the acclaimed developer behind cult hits like Psychonauts and Brütal Legend, has released a previously unseen pitch video for Brütal Legend in conjunction with their annual "Rocktober" event.

This newly shared footage provides fans and industry insiders with a rare look at the early creative process behind the studio's heavy metal-inspired action-adventure real-time strategy title, which originally launched on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2009 under Electronic Arts. The video, unveiled on Double Fine's official YouTube channel, features key members of the development team, including studio founder Tim Schafer, character department lead Dave Russell, character animator Ray Crook, and concept artist Nathan "Bagley" Staple.

The discussion offers fresh insights into Brütal Legend's original concept, creative direction, and the hurdles faced during its journey to publication—a backstory frequently highlighted in 2 Player Productions’ in-depth documentaries on Double Fine’s games. Tim Schafer, leading the conversation, explained that after completing the initial pitch, it was presented to multiple publishers.

"We took our pitch everywhere but were met with rejections before Vivendi decided to come on board," Schafer remarked in the video.

Despite Vivendi’s initial involvement, the publishing rights shifted following Activision’s acquisition of Vivendi.

Activision chose not to move forward, prompting Electronic Arts to ultimately publish Brütal Legend.

This series of publisher changes proved pivotal for Double Fine, eventually allowing the game to reach the hands of players through a major international distributor. Of particular interest to longtime fans and scholars of game development is the pitch video’s display of an earlier, more experimental art style.

Schafer describes this approach as an "in-between world," visually bridging the gap between their 2005 platformer Psychonauts and what Brütal Legend would become.

One striking difference is the absence of the now-iconic protagonist Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black).

Instead, the video showcases a rough prototype of Eddie closely resembling Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead fame.

The footage also features now-cut characters known as "the Motor Freaks"—monster-like figures occupying vehicles, inspired by the whimsical and outlandish designs of American artist Ed Roth. Shedding light on Brütal Legend’s unique blend of genres, Schafer recounted that the project originated from his fascination with real-time strategy games and Ed Roth’s "Big Daddy Roth Hot Rods." This early game idea combined with another narrative concept about a roadie traveling through time, an idea reminiscent of Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

However, as development progressed and schedules tightened, several of these original characters and concepts were omitted from the final game. Double Fine’s decision to release the original Brütal Legend pitch video not only celebrates Rocktober—it offers an invaluable glimpse into the sometimes chaotic, always creative cycle that defines game development at celebrated studios.

Fans and historians alike can watch the full video on Double Fine’s YouTube channel to see the roots and evolution of one of gaming’s most idiosyncratic titles. With Brütal Legend’s unique genre blend and heavy metal aesthetic earning it a devoted following, Double Fine’s commitment to transparency continues to resonate.

For more on gaming history, development stories, and upcoming content from Double Fine, stay tuned to our Nintendo news and industry coverage.

Rare Legend Fine Tim Schafer Double Fine Brütal Legend Electronic Arts Activision Vivendi YouTube Nathan Staple Ray Crook Dave Russell Ed Roth