With publisher Activision suing Double Fine to block the release of Brutal Legend, the developer has now filed its own countersuit, claiming that Activision is unfairly attempting to avoid competing with the title.

Activision, Double Fine's countersuit claims, aims to "not only to cancel 'Brutal Legend,' but to kill it completely so that 'Guitar Hero' would not have to face the competition."

The whole mess began when Activision apparently passed on Brutal Legend, leading Double Fine to sign with publisher Electronic Arts. Activision now claims it never relinquished its rights to the game, and says it would be "seriously harmed" by its release.

Double Fine filed its countersuit last week. A hearing on the matter is schedule to take place on July 30, roughly two and a half months prior to Brutal Legend's release date of October 13.

Double Fine programmer Klint Honeychurch has created an adventure game based around Double Fine founder Tim Schafer's hosting gig at the upcoming IGF/GDC Choice Awards.

Titled "Host Master and the Conquest of Humor," the game is centered around Schafer's inability to think of jokes for the ceremony.

The fully-playable quest was crafted in the style of classic adventure games, complete with point-and-click interface and floating text.

Schafer hosts the IGF and GDC Choice Awards on Wednesday at 6:30pm PST.

Activision Blizzard has reportedly threatened to sue Electronic Arts for publishing Double Fine's upcoming action-adventure game Brutal Legend (PS3, 360), claims Variety.

Though Electronic Arts claimed to pick up the publishing rights for Brutal Legend back in December, Variety's sources indicate that Activision Blizzard views the agreement as invalid due to a belief that it was still engaged in negotiations regarding the game.

Brutal Legend was originally set to be published by Vivendi, which merged with Activision to form Activision Blizzard last year. Following the merger, Activision said that the new company would not publish Brutal Legend and several other games, including 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, Ghostbusters, and The Chronicles of Riddick.

Variety speculates that Activision is seeking a cash payment for the publishing rights, especially as the company has said it has no interest in publishing the game.

As for Electronic Arts, a company representative expressed doubt that Activision would actually sue, explaining that it would "be like a husband abandoning his family and then suing after his wife meets a better looking guy."