Who needs original IP when you can sell out?

Many of you were probably unaware that Tim Schafer of Double Fine productions is fed up with the video game industry. Apparently conventions and goofing around are all fine and dandy, but the time comes when a person has to look at their career and decide, “Which is more important—being able to look myself in the mirror, having ultimate creative freedom, and highly enjoying my job? Or, do I want to be making @$$ tons of money?” I’m not really sure what the quantity of an @$$ ton is, but if my estimations are correct it’s over $372,821 USD.

You may have read on Kotaku, 1 Up, or other gaming “news” sites that the Brütal Legend video intro was just released featuring a band called Kabbage Boy. What they won’t tell you is that this band is all Tim’s. No, Schafer isn’t going up on stage himself wearing a tutu and a baker’s hat. I’m not sure where I even got that idea. Instead, he’s following in the footsteps of Maurice Star and managing his own cash machine.

“We didn’t want to let on that we’ve got deals in the works right now to tour with either Jonas Brothers or Hollywood Undead. I think the demographic is about right for both,” Schafer stated in an interview. “The introduction to Brütal Legend seemed like a perfect time to preview their act to the masses.”

When Doc sent me Schafer’s official statement and phone number, we had a brief discussion as to why a band that Schafer plans to market to 11-15 year olds should be hyped in a game that was obviously meant for a mature audience. Doc had no idea what I was talking about, claiming it was fine for teens, based on his time with the game at PAX. An argument ensued in which Doc threatened to fire me and I threatened to take a dump in his shoes, until we watched the video and realized that in Schafer’s crazy world, we were both right.

Check out the video yourself:

Pretty cool, right? It’s like Schafer has realized that parents or individuals who don’t want blood, gore, or naughty words in their movies or video games doesn’t ruin his artistic vision. What a concept!

Personally, I’d love to see more from Schafer in the gaming industry, but if that’s what he’s chosen to do, more power to him. I just hope he has fun on tour with his new group, keeping them off the jailbait and out of prison.