New GHOSTBUSTERS game due out in 2008 for all Platforms!!

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

Vivendi, Sony call 'Ghostbusters'
Duo pact on videogame franchise
By BEN FRITZ
'Ghostbusters'

Vivendi Games is pacting with Sony Pictures to turn "Ghostbusters" into a videogame franchise.
First title in what the publisher hopes will be a series of "Ghostbusters" games is set for release in fall '08 from Vivendi's Sierra label.

All four members of the movie team -- Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis -- will be giving voice and likeness rights for the game. Some supporting castmembers have signed up as well, including William Atherton, Brian Doyle Murray and Annie Potts.

In addition, film scribes Aykroyd and Ramis will pen a story for the vidgame that takes place in the early '90s, after "Ghostbusters II," during a new ghoul invasion of New York City.

Deal comes on the heels of several other classic movies that have recently been adapted into successful vidgames, including EA's "The Godfather" and Vivendi's own "Scarface: The World Is Yours."

"We noticed we did well on 'Scarface' and were alert for new opportunities to turn iconic film products into games in a way that is a new manifestation of the franchise," Vivendi Games CEO Bruce Hack said. "'Ghostbusters' is unquestionably among the small number of movies in that class."

Vivendi has sold more than 2.5 million units of last year's "Scarface" game worldwide, grossing more than $125 million and making it a solid success, if not quite at the level of top franchises like "Halo." Though Vivendi hasn't yet confirmed plans, a sequel is known to be in the works.

Hack noted that, in making both deals, Vivendi did a survey of gamers asking which movie properties they would like to see turned into videogames. "Scarface" and "Ghostbusters" were both in the top five.

Publisher is particularly optimistic for the chances of "Ghostbusters" because, unlike the young male-targeted "Scarface," it has the potential to appeal to children and adults. Developer Terminal Reality is making a "Ghostbusters" game for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 aimed primarily at the core gamer demographic, while Red Fly Studios is making a version for Playstation 2, Wii and DS designed more for families and casual gamers.

With the addition of "Ghostbusters," Vivendi now has several licensed franchises in its portfolio, including "Scarface," the Robert Ludlum books such as "Bourne Identity" and "Covert One," and rapper 50 Cent.

It's the first major vidgame deal for one of its library titles that Sony Pictures has made. Studio talked with several publishers before making a deal with Vivendi. Such deals can be quite lucrative because licensing revenue comes in with very little spending on the studio's side. Advances for multiyear deals on major franchises such as "Ghostbusters" are typically in the tens of millions of dollars.

"This brand is a very important asset for the studio, and we feel it's prime time for it to be rediscovered through videogames," said Mark Caplan, VP of Sony's consumer products division.

Several "Ghostbusters" games came out around the time of the two movies, and one in the past decade has been tied to the animated series "Extreme Ghostbusters."

source (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117976019.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=ghostbusters)

This makes me happy although I don'tget why X-Box 360, PC and PS3 get this "core gamer" aim and the Wii and whatnot get a game for "casual gamers an families." Maybe it's me, but the Wii has outsold PS3 by a few million units. :rolleyes:

It's great how the original cast is signed on and the idea of using the wiimote as a proton pack is FANTATSIC. Add in a four player mutiplayer and we're set. Just don't cross the streams.

[JediTricks]

I love the idea of what they're getting at here, but I really hope they're able to make a solid game out of it, not just the same thing over and over every level which could be very easy to do since the basics are just "find ghost, set up trap, capture ghost".


This makes me happy although I don'tget why X-Box 360, PC and PS3 get this "core gamer" aim and the Wii and whatnot get a game for "casual gamers an families." Maybe it's me, but the Wii has outsold PS3 by a few million units. :rolleyes: Sales has nothing to do with it, it's all about WHO is buying them and WHO is using them, plus this is another area where processor power is going to make a difference, my beloved PS2 is also in the category you describe. Core gamers are willing to drop $350+ on a 360 or a PS3 because they have the power to deliver a stronger game to core gamers, while the Wii may be fun to play with but is limited in processing and is relegated to a specific control gimmick.

[2-1B]

Will Ernie Hudson have time to pull himself away from the convention circuit to record some voiceover work? lol

[General_Grievous]

Furthermore, will Dan Aykroyd have time to pull himself away from his ham sandwich to record voiceover work?

[El Chuxter]

I doubt it. Dan Akroyd's too busy p***ing off old black guys in Mississippi by pretending to be the spokesman for the blues.

[DarthQuack]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8626533&postcount=264

Screenshots.....

[Rocketboy]

Here (http://thatvideosite.com/video/3858) is some footage of a Ghostbusters game from back in January. Since it is 11 months old I'm not sure if this is the same game or test footage or what.

[El Chuxter]

Looks nice. I take it that, for some reason, Slimer is a bad guy now?

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

Here (http://thatvideosite.com/video/3858) is some footage of a Ghostbusters game from back in January. Since it is 11 months old I'm not sure if this is the same game or test footage or what.

No, that was from a different developer. From what I read, that footage was received so well that other companies started bidding to make a GB game and that company just got outbid.

[JediTricks]

Those screenshots do look pulled out of the movie environ, but I just don't know if I like how the figures are being translated.



BTW, one more thing I forgot to mention about the Wii issue, this is the Gamecube all over again, nobody takes Nintendo consoles seriously for "core gamers", there's development issues (what Nintendo will and won't allow on the console), functionality issues (controller, media style), and processing power issues.

[El Chuxter]

Even if they're right in saying that the "core gamers" go for the PS3 and XBox 360, there are far more "casual gamers" out there, and Wii has already tapped into a lot who weren't gamers at all. That's a lot more money to potentially be made, if product is delivered and is top-notch. I don't understand big conglomerate thinking. Movies can't be made for a niche audience, but all games must be for a similar niche audience? :confused:

Besides, I still maintain that ancient sound effects and hokey graphics are no match for good gameplay at your side. There's simply too much flash with the latest generation systems; it's too real. It makes gameplay too complicated and detracts from the escapism factor. There's a reason I think Kung Fu is one of the best games ever made, and I know the graphics look like something a kid could make for an Atari.

[JediTricks]

They ARE doing one for the Wii, it's just aimed towards the more likely demographic of Wii owners. Those casual gamers aren't going to go for the same type of gameplay as "core gamers" do, they're a different type of play, more capable of jumping in any time, not as difficult, and more accessable. This is the GC all over again, some core gamers bought it and are miffed that the device really isn't marketed to them beyond a few entries meant to entrap buyers outside the device's main market.

Ultimately, once the "look what we can do!!!!!!" wears off, the 360 and PS3 are still going to be growth devices just like the PS2 was, they kept developing better and better graphics and sound and play mechanics 5 years after its launch, that's pretty much when they finally hit the wall (I'm saying God of War is their final growth spurt), the Wii has nowhere to go, it was out of room basically 6 months into launch. That's where "core gamers" vs "casual gamers" is going to work in Nintendo's favor, they don't have to dazzle the latter as long as they keep fueling the gimmick, but they're going to have to work WAY harder to capture the former market's attention each time because they can't show them anything new really beyond the gimmick.

For me, I can appreciate Pac-Man and pinball, but SW Battlefront is not going to be better with worse graphics, Spidey with more fluidity and better graphics is only a good thing, and anything with bigger and more detailed levels is awesome. SWBF2 has some cool levels that are hampered by being way too small, "get back to the battlefield soldier!" is annoying, and the largest level of the game - Endor - is actually too big for the PS2 so it glitches the vocal system to hell. The Wii has little more resources than the PS2, so a game on the Wii, its levels simply cannot be as vast and as well-detailed as they would be on the 360 or PS3, that's a fact.

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

Updated footage from comic con!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75U8kECdSj8

Looks amazing and I loved hearing the original voices. And seeing this footage inches me closer to finally buying an x-box 360 due to how this game is shaping up to be (along with other 360 games i've seen). Here are some rough shots of the animated/cartoony style for the Wii. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=177545 (right hand side).

While some of the shots look interesting and the mutiplayer could be fun, I just want to play this game on a better platform. I read that the Wii version is going to concentrate on mini games and whatnot. Sigh.

Ya know, i know we chatted about this before, but seeing screenshots and reading more about it, i'm getting kinda peeved at nintendo aiming towards the younger children crowd. I checked up on the wii port of DEAD RISING and it looks really poor due to the lack of hordes of zombies. But I digress.

[jamesbondo07]

Not to be bring bad news but wasn't this one of several games that Activision decided to cancel in order to focus on other game franchises that they thought were bigger.

[El Chuxter]

They showed it at Comic-Con, so unless they've just cancelled it....

[jamesbondo07]

It was just in a article yesterday that I was reading. Maybe they are holding on to it yet but I know they canceled several projects. but, I thought I saw ghostbusters on the list of cancelled projects.

[El Chuxter]

I was just saying it would be unlikely--though not unprecedented--that they'd spend so much to promote it at Comic-Con (including one or two panel forums), then announce less than two weeks later that it was cancelled.

Of course, you can just point to all the plans Sony BMG had for the Transformers cartoon on DVD and that never came to fruition, despite being previewed and (IIRC) solicited to retailers, to prove me wrong.

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

not canned, just postponed. Here is the lowdown from wiki:

On July 28, 2008 Activision Blizzard (the publisher of Vivendi's and Sierra's titles) announced that only 5 franchises would come out through Activision. Ghostbusters was not one of them and was put in limbo following the announcement. It was later confirmed from the Sierra PR team that the game had not and will not be cancelled.[9] It is also still listed on the Activision website with a release date of the October 31, 2008. On July 30, 2008, it was reported that the game may be delayed until 2009, with Sony Pictures stating "this has presented [Sony Pictures Consumer Products] with an opportunity to reevaluate the game release marketing strategy to potentially coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original film in '09." Activision and Sony Pictures are looking for another publisher.[1]

and here is another blurb here: http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/07/ghostbusters-ga.html

Looks like they want to release it with the 25th anniversary of Ghostbusters. Bleurgh. :upset:

[JediTricks]

They actually canceled the Ghostbusters game panel last-minute, I believe. I watched kids playing the game at their booth and it looked REALLY repetitive, but it looked and sounded great too. I'm not surprised they put the game on hold a little longer, but they should have been more cautious about how much they spent on marketing at the con.

[Beast]

Wonder if they'll delay the Blu-Ray release of both Ghostbusters films now.

Given they were supposed to be released to coincide with the video game.

Hope not, I was looking forward to upgrading them.

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

looks like things are looking up:

http://protoncharging.com/gb/2008/09/01/to-be-announced-sony-has-landed-new-game-partner/

Somebody from Sony e-mailed the webmaster of the site and said that they are close to finding a publishing and we can expect it in 2009. I'd be leerie if this was just a poster on IMDB or something, but the fact that it's the person who runs that huge GB fansite, i found it more credible.

I'm pretty hopeful about this; the later date also gives me more time to save up for a PS3. :thumbsup:

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

According to Dan Akroyd, the game was picked up by Atari and will be published middle/late of 2009.

This makes me uber happy as it gives me more time to save up for a PS3! Woo woooo! :thumbsup:

I just hope he's right. :yes:

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

Tis official: Atari will release the game next summer!!!!

http://www.variety.com/VR1117994909.html

:thumbsup:

[Beast]

Tis official: Atari will release the game next summer!!!!

http://www.variety.com/VR1117994909.html

:thumbsup:
And even better... we'll see the movies on Blu-Ray at the same time. Since they were delayed.

[JediTricks]

Man, too many delays these days. But at least they're releasing it at the right time. Man, I feel old, I remember seeing the original film on opening day and now it's gonna be 25 years old.

[JetsAndHeels]

Wait, is the Ghostbusters game going to be exclusive to the PS3? I hope not, I don't want to buy a console just for one game.

[JediTricks]

Ghostbusters was produced by Columbia, Columbia was bought by Sony, Sony makes the PS3... yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it was exclusive.

[JetsAndHeels]

Ghostbusters was produced by Columbia, Columbia was bought by Sony, Sony makes the PS3... yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it was exclusive.

I like Ghostbusters alot, but I can't buy a new system for that one game.

Hopefully there is still a chance I can own it on 360.

[Jedi_Master_Guyute]

I like Ghostbusters alot, but I can't buy a new system for that one game.

Hopefully there is still a chance I can own it on 360.

Don't fret J&H, according to the atari press release, it's for all systems.

Atari will release the Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games For Windows®, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. The launch will also leverage Atari’s worldwide distribution network to maximize the presence of Ghostbusters: The Video Game around the globe as Sony marks the film’s upcoming 25th anniversary. For more information on Atari’s entire line up visit www.atari.com.

The full press release and some new screens can be seen here (http://kotaku.com/5079394/ghostbusters-the-press-release-the-new-screens).

Lookin' pretty fantastic. :thumbsup:

[JetsAndHeels]

Thanks for the info JMG. I hope it will be as good as it looks.

[JediTricks]

I like Ghostbusters alot, but I can't buy a new system for that one game.It's got other games, you know. :p You could buy it for Blu-Ray too. But yeah, I know what you mean, I wouldn't spend $400 for a single game no matter what it was.

[JetsAndHeels]

It's got other games, you know. :p You could buy it for Blu-Ray too. But yeah, I know what you mean, I wouldn't spend $400 for a single game no matter what it was.

I can't think of hardly any PS3 exclusive titles I would want...or at least enough to make me buy the system. Resistance 2 maybe.....other than that, not really.

I know it has the blu-ray player which is cool, and honestly that is more of a draw to me than the games.

[DarkArtist]

definately gonna have to pick this up for the Wii and maybe PSP. here's hoping that for the Wii they make a proton Pack accessory for the Wii remote.

[JediTricks]

I can't think of hardly any PS3 exclusive titles I would want...or at least enough to make me buy the system. Resistance 2 maybe.....other than that, not really.

I know it has the blu-ray player which is cool, and honestly that is more of a draw to me than the games.Motorstorm is pretty rad as well.

One thing that annoys me about Blu-Ray in general, not just the PS3 version, is that Zoom isn't a standard feature anymore! WTF? Now that we have this great image, we can't zoom into it? Lame. But yeah, I've been noticing more and more artifacting on DVDs in my collection on just my SD tv, so blu-ray is way better for that - Iron Man (my only blu-ray right now) looks immaculate.