Guillermo Del Toro Video Game Canceled At THQ

"Insane," Guillermo Del Toro's first foray into video game development, has been canceled at troubled publisher THQ, according to The Escapist. This news comes less than a month after new THQ head Jason Rubin stated in an interview with Game Informer that Del Toro's title was "still under production."

The company has, since the arrival of Rubin, begun restructuring in an attempt to focus its effort and titles toward the "core" gamer, while placing less of an emphasis on the family-friendly fare they've also been known for in the past. Titles related to the "Spongebob Squarepants" cartoon will be dropped in favor of more "Saint's Row" titles and more "Darksiders" games, for example. "Saint's Row The Third," the latest entry in the series, shipped over 3.8 million copies and went on to be the highest-rated and highest-selling in the franchise. A fourth title was announced the same day the last DLC content for the comedy/crime game was canceled.

The rights to Del Toro's game have reverted back to the famous director, known for such films as "Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy" and the upcoming "Pacific Rim." The game was set to be a sandbox/survival horror title, the first in a planned trilogy. Comic artist Guy Davis ("B.P.R.D.," "Judge Dredd") was set to handle some of the design aspects of the game, as well.

Del Toro, could, potentially, take the game to another developer/publisher. The main problem with that is THQ has always been a very open company, taking chances on risky titles. This, of course, hasn't paid off for them entirely, as the company was apparently struggling to even ship their latest game, "Darksiders 2," due out Aug. 14.

THQ is still losing money, hopefully "Darksiders 2" and a new "Saint's Row" title can help get them back on top.