Rounding out my posts on the trio of high profile Sierra titles that Activision Blizzard decided not to publish is "Brutal Legend" (for "Ghostbusters" and the Bourne games, click here and here, respectively).

My information from reporting today is that developer Double Fine, which owns the rights to its metal rock actioner starring Jack Black and thus doesn't have to just sit back and worry about what Activision Blizzard will do, is very close to sealing a new deal to release the game. I don't know who it will be, but I understand that it may not be a traditional publisher. It could be a more "unique" arrangement. (Sorry to be vague, but even getting this much info was quite a chore.)

Many people I spoke to were worried that other partners might feel the way Activision Blizzard apparently does and not want to take a risk on an original property from a developer whose last game, "Psychonauts," didn't sell well (even if that was largely publisher Majesco's fault and the game got great reviews). A risk is a risk and videogaming is a risk-averse industry. So this is good news for anyone who likes originality.

Of course, closing the deal and then setting up a new marketing plan means that keeping the current release date could be tough. So don't be surprised to see "Brutal Legend" slip into 2009. But the most important fact for gamers psyched about this awesome looking game is that it's not dead. It looks like we'll be playing it within a year.