South Park Studios wants final say on THQ's sale of Stick of Truth

The bankruptcy auction of THQ's assets is happening today, but South Park Studios is objecting to any sale of South Park: The Stick of Truth without it having a final say in who gets the license.

5

The bankruptcy auction of THQ's assets is happening today, but South Park Studios is objecting to any sale of South Park: The Stick of Truth without it having a final say in who gets the license.

The studio, which owns the license to the cartoon franchise, wants to approve any transfer of the use of the characters and name, or buy the game outright while only paying THQ costs already incurred, according to court documents filed late last week (via Polygon). It is also is seeking $2.275 million in default payments from THQ for use of the license. THQ replied on Monday that the license was exclusive, and therefore can be sold. The game is currently in development by Obsidian Entertainment.

Today's auction will be finalized by the bankruptcy court at a 9 a.m. hearing tomorrow. Companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. and Double Fine are reportedly interested in the franchises (such as Metro, Saints Row, and WWE) and studios (Relic, Volition, Vigil and THQ Montreal).

Contributing Editor
From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 22, 2013 2:00 PM

    John Keefer posted a new article, South Park Studios wants final say on THQ's sale of Stick of Truth.

    The bankruptcy auction of THQ's assets is happening today, but South Park Studios is objecting to any sale of South Park: The Stick of Truth without it having a final say in who gets the license.

    • reply
      January 22, 2013 2:44 PM

      There's no chance of this being cancelled, right? It's too far along?

      • reply
        January 22, 2013 2:49 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          January 22, 2013 4:59 PM

          Or they give a big fuck what is done with this game. Especially since they were the writers (if I remember correctly).

        • reply
          January 22, 2013 8:22 PM

          Well I'm pretty sure they had a huge hand in making and writing it so that's probably not a problem. They like games.

    • reply
      January 22, 2013 3:22 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      January 22, 2013 4:33 PM

      Between Warner, EA, and Ubisoft, I would probably say WB Interactive would be the least of evils thus far (for now). They've done a good job so far supporting their studios in the last couple of years.

      Any publisher that can take the MK series in its disastrous state and support developer studio to turn it around like they did wins many points in my book.

      Of course it will be impossible for WB to produce the video game tie in for a Viacom property but for most of the other THQ properties, WB would be an excellent home.

      Saints Row could benefit from having DC and Loony Toon pop culture fun. Imagine beating Bugs Bunny mascots with the penetrator. They can also easily obtain a wide variety of music licenses for much cheaper. Volition is also nearby Netherrealm studios.

      I'd like to see Warhammer under a WB banner for the sole purposes of the possibility of Warhammer 40k comic tie ins as well as possible animated feature films. Warhammer is a mythos that definitely deserves more of a pop culture presence than it has now. Personally I think that a studio like Monolith or Rocksteady could do a great job with a Space Marine sequel should Relic not be on board any more.

      • reply
        January 22, 2013 8:12 PM

        Of course it will be impossible for WB to produce the video game tie in for a Viacom property but for most of the other THQ properties, WB would be an excellent home.

        Until a week or so ago I would have agreed. But then WB announced that they're producing the video game tie in for a Disney property (the upcoming Lego Marvel game). If Disney - who has, or at least had, game studios (unlike Viacom) is willing to license their property out to WB Interactive, I don't see why Viacom (who doesn't own any developers) wouldn't be willing to do the same.

    • reply
      January 22, 2013 4:37 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      January 23, 2013 5:37 AM

      Man I hope Stick of Truth survives. It looks like the South Park game I've always wanted to play. No kart racing or turkey-shooting or any such nonsense.

    • reply
      January 23, 2013 6:15 AM

      All I want to know is: is Metro: Last Light safe? Will that shit still get published? It's supposed to be available early this year.

Hello, Meet Lola