Renegade Kid has announced that “fantasy Gothic” game Son of the Dragon has been canceled.

“It brings us no pleasure to announce that it is no longer in development,” said a post on the company’s site.

“The intellectual property is still owned by Renegade Kid. Should an opportunity to resurrect Son of the Dragon present itself in the future, you will be the first to know.”

The game was to be released under Gamecock, but when SouthPeak acquired the company it didn’t take Son of the Dragon along with Velvet Assassin and Legendary.

Renegade Kid, however, says in that post that it’s currently at work on a “new secret game to be announced in 2009″.

Thanks, Gamasutra.

Come March, Europe will geta taste of Southpeak’s Mushroom Men when they finally land on DS and Wii.

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is a 3D platformer in its Wii incarnation, while Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi is a side-scrolling action prequel to the former for DS.

The US got them in December of last year. They were suppose to come a month earlier to Europe, but thanks to Southpeak’s purchase of  Gamecock in 2008, the game was pushed a bit further ahead into February 2009, and now March.

“Unfortunately there will not be a PS3 version of Velvet Assassin,” said the representative. “The reason being that Replay Studios started off as a PC development team, then branched into 360 development as the transition was ‘relatively simple’, but their engine does not support PS3.”

In case you missed it, Gamecock was acquired by Southpeak earlier this month.

Update: CVG has just posted some new screenshots.

Update 2: Video added. After the break. Thanks, Superfrog.

By Mike Bowden

SouthPeak CEO Melanie Mroz did little to allay this sentiment with a cryptic response to MTV Multiplayer’s query on the topic.

“[The Gamecock label’s future role] is still a work in progress. Lots of issues to resolve in terms of branding and such. Those discussions are on-going as we speak,” she said.

However, though Gamecock may be on the verge of its final cluck, its spirit will live on at SouthPeak.

“We have stated goals of finding independent developers with unique IPs and with Gamecock gracing the pages of newssites everywhere, it was pretty clear who shared our beliefs. And there isn’t anything to correct. Rather, we look to expand upon their efforts,” explained Mroz.

“As I have said all day, the independent game developer is the heart and soul of this industry and the fact one publisher joins another doesn’t change that… We do need innovation. Creative freedom. And respect for developers. Who can argue with that?”

Gamecock minus shenanigans equals Melanie Mroz. We imagine Gamecock might’ve actually done something other than piss people off if SouthPeak had commandeered the vessel sooner.

By Nathan Grayson

SouthPeak’s confirmed it’s acquired Mike Wilson’s Gamecock.

Financial terms haven’t been disclosed.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with SouthPeak to continue to bring great original titles from independent developers to market with a stronger sales and distribution reach,” said Gamecock boss Mike Wilson.

“We have followed each other’s progress closely over the last two years, and combining our team with theirs results in a very strong and well-rounded force in the market.”

Press release after the link.

SouthPeak Interactive Corporation Acquires Gamecock Media Group

MIDLOTHIAN, VA – October 14, 2008 – SouthPeak Interactive Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: SOPK; SOPKU; SOPKW; SOPKZ), one of the fastest growing videogame publishers, today announced the acquisition of Austin-based Gamecock Media Group.

Commenting on the acquisition, Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak, stated, “Gamecock brings us a solid slate of upcoming titles, including Legendary, Mushroom Men and Velvet Assassin and supports our strategy of working with independent developers. We are excited to give the Gamecock titles a bigger platform to succeed.”

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with SouthPeak to continue to bring great original titles from independent developers to market with a stronger sales and distribution reach,” said Mike Wilson, CEO of Gamecock. “We have followed each other’s progress closely over the last two years, and combining our team with theirs results in a very strong and well-rounded force in the market.”

SouthPeak expects to ship Legendary and Mushroom Men in the current quarter.

Gamecock’s Velvet Assassin has moved into the fourth quarter of next year, Eurogamer reports, back from a planned October release.

The move will bring the spy-based, WWII action title in line with its US launch, the publisher said today.

There’s more through there.

More Gamecock titles will follow later this year, including the promising action game, Velvet Assassin.

And that’s that.

Gamecock’s put out new shots and weapon details of upcoming WWII spy thing, Velvet Assassin. See the lot on Destructoid. This is starting to look promising, if we’re being honest, following a real-life lady spy behind enemy lines during the War.

Have a look.

The agreement covers the licensing, marketing and distribution of the Gamecock’s portfolio in Europe.

“We are thrilled to work with a renowned and successful partner like Gamecock Media Group,” said cdv CEO Christian Gloe.

“This agreement, which covers a very solid and diverse product portfolio, represents another step in the evolution of our business model.”

Loads more press blurb over at IGN. Enjoy.

By Mike Bowden

The publisher issued a press release last night saying Wilson would attempt to take control of the organisation in an effort to bring “fun back to the gaming industry”.

“I read last week that some of my most high profile supporters are not happy with the current administration of the ESA,” said Wilson.

“Many of them apparently feel that I am the right man to right the ship, before it sinks entirely, due to my intimate experience with, or at least near, the E3 Expo’s of the past.

“After a long conversation with my wife, we have decided to step forward and bear the slings and arrows of public life this election season. Since the macabre, but strangely high-spirited burial of E3 last year we are glad to see that it still has some life left in it.

“My only hope is that it can be rebuilt and become what the all-knowing gaming god intended it to be. Good luck and God bless.”

Full thing after the link.

Gamecock Announces Its BE-3 Initiative
The mischievous game publisher lampoons E3.

US, May 9, 2008 – Gamecock Media Group today reiterated its intent to mock and take full advantage of the E3 Expo (or, since its death, the Media & Business Summit) each year. Given the recent cancellations by the largest multinational conglomerate and independent game developer invited last year, Mike Wilson, Grand Champeen of Gamecock, has also announced his candidacy for ESA President based on the platform of bringing the fun back to the gaming industry.

Full details are forthcoming; however, Gamecock will set up its campaign HQ at the lovely Hotel Figueroa this year, during the days of July 15-18. Invited are all gamers who love fun and just want to play games. No invitations or jumping through hoops required. This is what video games should be about.

“I read last week that some of my most high profile supporters are not happy with the current administration of the ESA. Many of them apparently feel that I am the right man to right the ship, before it sinks entirely, due to my intimate experience with, or at least near, the E3 Expo’s of the past,” said Mike Wilson. “After a long conversation with my wife, we have decided to step forward and bear the slings and arrows of public life this election season. Since the macabre, but strangely high-spirited burial of E3 last year we are glad to see that it still has some life left in it. My only hope is that it can be rebuilt and become what the all-knowing gaming god intended it to be. Good luck and God bless.”

Make your voice heard. We’re just sayin’.

www.gamecocklove.com

Stronghold Crusader Extreme will be the first title released on the service as part of the deal later this month.

“This is an important partnership for us because GamersGate really delivers to players,” said Gamecock boss Harry Miller. “Working with GamersGate to support independent gaming is awesome. Now fans will have a one stop online shop to get the goods.”

Press release after the link. Thanks, Kotaku.

GamersGate and Gamecock join forcesNew York, USA (May 8, 2008)- Leading global PC download portal GamersGate announced today that much talked about publisher Gamecock Media Group has joined the increasing group of established publishers on GamersGate. The first title to be released under this agreement is the Strategy title Stronghold Crusader Extreme in May, followed by the bisodic Action-Adventure game Insecticide, with the first episode available in June. Upcoming additions include among other titles Velvet Assassin, planned for Q3 2008. “Gamecock has taken the entire gaming industry by storm and we are thrilled to add their exciting titles to our growing portfolio,” said Theodore Bergquist, CEO of GamersGate. “This is an important partnership for us because GamersGate really delivers to players,” said Harry Miller, El Presidente at Gamecock. “Working with GamersGate to support independent gaming is awesome. Now fans will have a one stop online shop to get the goods.” To find out more about GamersGate, please go to http://www.gamersgate.com. About GamersGate GamersGate is a leading digital distribution platform creating easily accessible gaming experiences for gamers worldwide- anytime, anywhere. Seen as a strong contender on the digital download arena, GamersGate continues to redefine the download industry and future strategies include the launch of several accompanying services in addition to an aggressively growing product portfolio from a wide range of internationally recognized publishers. http://www.gamersgate.com. About Gamecock Media Group Based in Austin, Texas, Gamecock Media Group offers a welcome solution to the bloated and originality-starved video game industry. A well-funded, independent, artist-driven company, Gamecock favors the most innovative and original video game developers in the industry. Publishing games for all platforms, Gamecock offers its developers a high degree of participation, freedom and financial incentives, allowing them to perform and create to their utmost ability. For more, please visit http://www.gamecockmedia.com.

The publisher’s games – such as Legendary and Velvet Assassin – will support the Philips “sensory” tech.

Jo Cooke, chief marketing officer for amBX, said, “Gamecock is another top drawer publisher signing for amBX. Our involvement with Gamecock at EIEIO allowed us to show off slick amBX trailers for Legendary and Velvet Assassin.

“Reaching out to the wider market is very much part of our strategy for amBX for 2008.”

Gamecock’s delayed the release of XBLA’s Pirates Vs Ninjas Dodgeball until “later this spring”.

There’s not a lot more to say. So read the press release after the link.

Pirated Pirates Vs Ninjas Dodgeball Delays Release

Cockpit, Austin, TX – April 9, 2008 – Gamecock Media Group announced today that due to pirated copies of Blazing Lizard’s upcoming Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball being on the loose the game will be revamped and held until later this Spring.

“We see the irony in all this,” noted Christopher Stockman, Studio Director at Blazing Lizard. “Rest assured, we have a crack team of Ninjas on the case and hunting down all pirates. On the positive side it gives us a chance to go back and add in additional content to the game.”

What this means for fans of Pirates (the sea-faring kind) and Ninjas is more bang for their buck when the game releases (this also includes fans of the other teams in the game, Robots and Zombies). In addition to the free-flinging arcade dodgeball events already in place (look out for Peg-Leg Stomps and Shuriken Attacks.), Blazing Lizard is adding more traditional rules dodgeball modes where teams stay only on their side and multiple dodgeballs are in play. Now we can settle the score once and for all.

For more info visit www.piratesvsninjas.com. If you are one of the pirates, watch your back!

[disclaimer: the game has not been pirated but we wanted an excuse to announce the wait for the game and the new game mode.]

Gamecock boss John Wilson reckons Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball is the best looking game (soon-to-be) on Xbox Live Arcade. He said so. Here.

“Everyone who’s into independent games is pretty excited by Xbox Live. [Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball is] due in February and it will be the best-looking title on the service. It might take off bigger than a lot of these boxed games have done,” he said. “Sony really wants this Pirates vs Ninjas game we’re doing for Xbox Live and we’re platform agnostic, so if we’re investing in a title let’s give it a chance wherever there is one. The market’s not there yet but it will be, and it’s nice that you don’t have this 150MB limitation. It will be interesting to see how it emerges.”

The Gamecock boss has been in the news recently for a pretty nasty round of public arguing with ex-boss John Romero. Let’s hope Pirates vs Ninjas is prettier than that.

“I still can’t tell you [what's going on],” he said. “I’m hoping to very soon.”

Croteam is the Croatian developer responsible for the Serious Sam games. The new title will use the Serious 3 engine, and has been described by the company as a “military tactical-action shooter” for PC and consoles. It’s coming out in 2009.