Good news, Skullgirls fans. Lab Zero Games is getting ready to return the Konami-free version update next week on PlayStation Network in North America. Previous buyers will have access at no additional charge.

The title is due to return to PlayStation 3’s PSN on February 11. Skullgirls Encore will be making an appearance on Xbox Live, too. It will take a bit longer, as the game isn’t even submitted yet due to negotiations among the parties involved in the transition.

Lab Zero’s Peter Bartholow says he expects that the title will be submitted next week. Skullgirls was removed from the two online services in mid-December by Konami’s request, which was allegedly made without Lab Zero’s knowledge. For more on the title, check out our review.

[Source: NeoGAF, Shoryuken via Joystiq]

Our Take
Stories such as this one are a product of the old Xbox Live publishing model, which required a publisher for digital-only titles. As the ID@Xbox program takes root and starts to bear fruit, independent developers will be able to self-publish. The Skullgirls situation was an anomaly that will likely not be repeated.