Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

Ghostbusters trapped by Atari

Infogrames subsidiary confirms that it has acquired the rights to publish dumped Vivendi project; release set for 2009.

The fallout from the Activision-Blizzard merger is taking time to settle. Initially, several key Sierra Entertainment games were left out in the cold when the new megapublisher decided not to take them on. One by one, though, they are finding new homes. THQ recently picked up the rights to 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, and Atari expanded its portfolio with The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

Today, one of the highest-profile orphans of the merger, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, has found a new home. Atari has announced that it will be partnering with Sony Pictures Consumer Products and the game's developer, Terminal Reality, to bring out the game in 2009 to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original film's release. Lee Kirton, head of UK PR for Atari, told GameSpot today, "It's incredibly exciting to be publishing Ghostbusters as a title. It has a huge fan base and looks absolutely fantastic."

The announcement had been widely expected after Dan Aykroyd told a US radio station that Atari was set to take on publishing duties. Aykroyd had also announced the existence of the game via the Edmonton Sun before its official confirmation by Sierra Entertainment, so the Atari acquisition rumour was given more credence.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game was officially announced in November 2007 for release in autumn 2008. It is an original story, set two years after Ghostbusters II. It was written by the writers of Ghostbusters, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, and will also feature the voices and likenesses of the stars of both films. Ghostbusters: The Video Game will be released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, Wii, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. For more information about the game, see GameSpot's preview.

189 Comments

  • dobeslao

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 3:12 pm GMT

    it's the perfect excuse for watch the movies again and play the game

  • ivan_the_one

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 1:21 pm GMT

    who you gonna call?? 0_o

  • RaixATM2

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 4:03 am GMT

    can't wait for this one, from what I've seen it's gonna be awesome!!

  • Gaming-Gavan

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 5:50 pm GMT

    tonyranger007, Bill Murray is doing voice over work, pretty much the whole cast is last time I heard!

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 2:35 pm GMT

    can't wait gonna be a must have

  • Zanthia561

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 2:10 pm GMT

    way to go shoegazer i agree i love the ghostbusters since watching the cartoon when i was a kid ive seen both movies and i own them both on VHS and DVD. I cant wait for this game

  • shoegazer42081

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 1:31 pm GMT

    I'm tired of all the negative comments posted on here by twelve year olds. If you don't like the Ghostbusters franchise, it's probably because the better half of you was runnin' down your momma's leg when Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd were pioneering the comedy/horror genre. We're all sorry you not old enough to "get it". Save your whinning for someone who gives a f*ck.

  • ratm247

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 12:11 pm GMT

    too many great games are ruined by being rushed. i dont buy games because they come out on a certain date, i buy them because they are good. this game can come out whenever its ready and ill buy it if its good. ive waited 25 years for a good ghostbusters game, another month wont matter.

  • tonyranger007

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 11:35 am GMT

    Ummm... Bill Murrey? Sorry, it ain't Ghostbusters without Bill.

  • MonkeyWrench127

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 9:00 am GMT

    You wanna know the reason why Activision didn't publish it? Apparently they didn't see themselves "producing one every year, or working on it ten years from now"...

    I think that is the most depressing thing I've heard a publisher say...

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 8:55 am GMT

    Yeah it's good to hear this game did not end up another in a long line of games that have been dumped by companies because they got bought or other things that happened.

    Remember the B5 space combat MMO? The StarGate game, the list of potentaly good games goes on and on forever! Many more inclued: Duke Nukem Forever, Black and White Creatures, EarthWorm Jim: the PSP game, Killing Day, I would list more but I don't think it would do anything more then sour our good moods to hear this game is still on the table.

  • cooldude03

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 8:05 am GMT

    Ghostbusters looked cool at E3, I glad that Atari is publishing it, but definitely looking forward to new Riddick game even more. Hopefully we will see Atari rise once more to it's former glory and these two games will definitely help get them there.

  • Whellock

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 8:03 am GMT

    I think releasing Ghostbusters: The Video Game next year will best to do that because if the game came out right now, it will be an absolute disaster and gamers will be disappointed with the graphics design of the Wii, PS2 and DS versions so it will be best that the game will be designed like the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions so everyone will be happy about it. I'm a Ghostbusters fan myself so I agree that Atari are taking over the development the game so fingers crossed and find out later next year.

  • zgreenwell

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 5:13 am GMT

    I know some people are excited about this, but I still have no intentions of buying, renting, or playing this game at all.

  • Thewbacca

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 12:54 am GMT

    Prototype was one of the games they killed this title off for. Therefore, Prototype sucks, and Activision are whores.

    And Atari - yeah, it looks promising, but do I need to remind everyone what happened the last time Atari tried putting out a game based on a smash-hit movie?

    (The Answer is E.T.)

  • Wild_Card

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 10:19 pm GMT

    brys321

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 10:05 pm ET

    ...who ya gonna call?


    HE-MAN lol

  • 9th_SolBadguy

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 10:00 pm GMT

    what are you talking about Prototype is due next year I'm definitely buying that

  • Jade_Monkey

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 9:49 pm GMT

    Still waiting for someone to pick up Prototype. I had such high hopes for it.

  • gaclough

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 7:16 pm GMT

    Hopefully Atari won't ruin this franchise like they did with the Matrix.... those games were crap...

  • brys321

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 7:05 pm GMT

    ...who ya gonna call?

  • projectpat2280

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 5:48 pm GMT

    mimmebl, did you not bother to read what you posted on??? Atari is publishing this game, NOT Sony, Sony Pictures Consumer Products is just the entity who owns the rights to anything related to Ghostbusters media, same way Sony Pictures owns the IP to Ghostbusters. This was no different when Activision was set to publish the title. The game will release on all the systems, so NO, this game will absolutely NOT release on the PS3 alone.

  • mummebl posted Nov 9, 2008 5:03 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mummebl

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 5:03 pm GMT (hide)

    Seeing as how Atari and Sony Pictures are now on board to publish the game, do you thank this could lead to a PS3 exclusive...

  • luc11044

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 4:44 pm GMT

    and the flowers are still standing!!!

  • darkhand44

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 3:13 pm GMT

    This game was pretty much done when and was a month from release really the extra time since it is coming out next year will just be to make the game better.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 12:07 pm GMT

    Lets just hope the time in limbo doesn't mean a rushed job to make a deadline....

    HOPEFULLY, a team has still been working on it while it was being aquired.

  • NerdEmperor

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 11:54 am GMT

    Is Activision menstruating right now?

  • King_Jeremy_77

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 11:17 am GMT

    Yay, i get my Ghostbusters game next year...

  • Shadow-Hunter22

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 10:38 am GMT

    That's great news, I know that I was looking forward to this game for a while. Personally, I think it's kind of funny that someone actually bothered picking up that 50 cent game instead of this one.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 10:24 am GMT

    ATARI??! Well, could be worse I suppose.. could be POPCORN ARCADE.. or, dare I say it.. SEGA lol. Atari better not mess this one up! Atari couldn't deliver a movie licence if it jumped on their serving trays and dragged the title to us by itself! lol.
    Seriously though, EA should be the guys to do this sort of thing. Aslong as it gets a massive merch and ad campaign.. pretty much everyone knows its not going to be a fantastic game. So better milk it all whilst its out - at least with the big amount of attention there will be a market for ghostbusters again.

    But atari better concentrate on clever campaigns and good contracts with other publishers and stores to make the most of the release. Otherwise people would of forgotten about this game by summer..

  • VisMajorX

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 10:05 am GMT

    Has Atari just become a large legal firm now? Can't make games anymore.. so just sue and aquire?

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 8:47 am GMT

    Well, good news, I guess! I just can't wait for the release... we've been waiting a long time for this one.

  • DataDream

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 7:14 am GMT

    Yeah I can't wait for this game.

    Don't mess this up Atari. Ya know I love ya even if it's just sentiment for your name.

  • Richmaester6907

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 6:20 am GMT

    Lmao PS2 version pointless more ppl own a ps2 than a 360 and ps3 put together!

  • Nicholai69

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 5:59 am GMT

    The ps2 versions a lil pointless though i tink, for the ppl who still can't afford the next-gen systems would just get the pc version i'de expect.

    And besides since its going to have to be done so it can be handled on the ps2, i expect graphically its not going to be mindblowing.

  • DaMiGi22863

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 4:36 am GMT

    Zoomer30 "I can see them doing something like was done with Scarface:The Game. Dont "retell" the movie (like was done with Godfather The Game) but extend the movie history. We all know there will never be another Ghostbuster movie. GBII kind poisoned the well on that one."

    Not so true Zoomer, after the video game was bantered about, the balloon was floated about getting everyone on board for a 3rd installment the only real holdout being Bill Murray, but who knows. If the video game is good and well received maybe there will be a GBIII. And it is going ahead, just do an IMDB Search for Ghostbusters 3 and you'll see all the details.

  • Neo_Gamer81

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 12:33 am GMT

    Thank god! I have been waiting for this game for some time

  • Shmoe82

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 11:41 pm GMT

    This game is going to be sweet; when it actually is released though.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 9:16 pm GMT

    I can see them doing something like was done with Scarface:The Game. Dont "retell" the movie (like was done with Godfather The Game) but extend the movie history. We all know there will never be another Ghostbuster movie. GBII kind poisoned the well on that one.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 8:47 pm GMT

    I cant wait to see what they can do to this game

  • snakes3425

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 8:04 pm GMT

    Can't wait for it

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 7:50 pm GMT

    I couldn't believe this game was dumped to begin with.Looks like a sure winner to me.I'm interested anyways.

  • MichaelRD777

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 7:13 pm GMT

    ok,they're making for the DS and not the PSP?well that's just retarded.SONY's supposed to help out on this,right?so why are they helping Atarai make it for a system not made by SONY instead of also making for a portable made by SONY?

  • poteth

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 7:08 pm GMT

    I'm glad they have a publisher, all we can hope for now is the game not to suck!!

  • ZirtKingLizard

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 6:57 pm GMT

    This is gonna be great.

  • outriderx

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 5:56 pm GMT

    Second to last sentence:

    " Ghostbusters: The Video Game will be released in 2009 for ..... PLAYSTAION 2, PLAYSTATION 3.... "

    Also Note that it is Sony Pictures not Sony Computer Entertainment that is partnering with Atari. That could be a reason why it is on other platforms.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 4:57 pm GMT

    "how is a game getting help from sony being released on other systems than sony O.O"

    More money for Sony?

  • Jack-o-Thompson

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 12:21 pm GMT

    no psp version?

  • TheCraving

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 12:12 pm GMT

    Yes this is true...activision has no dick.

  • angelcar

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 11:55 am GMT

    Looked good in Comic-Con. Hopefully it will be good.

  • chickenfeed9

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 11:42 am GMT

    Im hoping for the best, but something tells me this wont be good...

Subscribe to GameSpot's YouTube Channel

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Boxshot
Follow:
  1. Not Following
    Xbox 360: Follow
  2. Not Following
    PC: Follow
  3. Not Following
    PlayStation 3: Follow
  4. Not Following
    Wii: Follow
  5. Not Following
    DS: Follow
  6. Not Following
    PlayStation 2: Follow
  7. Not Following
    PSP: Follow
Add to List
  1. Xbox 360
  2. PC
  3. PlayStation 3
  4. Wii
  5. DS
  6. PlayStation 2
  7. PSP

Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders

GameSpot Fuse
    Platforms:

    Site Blogs