Skullgirls Encore Rereleasing In January 2014 On Consoles
It’s a shame that Lab Zero’s Skullgirls has had so many problems. Being an indie fighting game designed by fighting game players already seemed risky, since it’s hard to launch new fighting games from unknown companies and get a community going. But of course, there are more and more problems. The latest one stems from co-publisher Konami, who Lab Zero dropped to only be published by Autumn Games because Konami was dragging their heels on additional DLC characters funded by fans on IndieGoGo. Because they’re no longer the publisher, they arranged to have it delisted from Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network by December 31 because their name is on it. But there’s still some good news.
Lab Zero Games is taking this in stride, managing to extend the original delisting date to the December 31 date it currently is. Though users will be unable to purchase the game, Lab Zero will have a new version called Skullgirls Encore up on both servicessometime in January 2014; it would have been sooner, but they were caught unaware by Konami’s actions. Anyone who purchased the old version will get the new one, either through a free download on PSN (using the Cross-Buy system, which is usually used for downloading a PS3 game on PS Vita or vice versa) or a mandatory title update and compatibility pack on XBLA. The PSN version will essentially be a new game, with new trophies and leaderboards.
Skullgirls Encore will have some new bonuses too. The first of the five DLC characters, Squigly, will be free for three months as a thanks to fans for funding the DLC. Later characters will also be free for a time once they’re released. Also, the alternate color pack will be free for a bit as a thanks for fans’ patience. And in case it isn’t clear, this only applies to the console; the PC version on Steam is fine, with the only change being to the title screen because Konami was not involved with that version at all.
I like the steps that Lab Zero is taking, and I just wish they didn’t have to deal with it. I’d been planning on buying my own copy for a while, but I definitely don’t want Konami to profit off of the game because of their actions, so I’m glad it will be back up shortly with new content.
Source: Lab Zero Games