Sony traps Ghostbusters in EU

Ghostbusters: The Video Game has been on an interesting ride in its bid to make it onto gaming screens. Initially in development by Sierra Entertainment, the title was then dropped in the great Activision-Blizzard culling of 2008, after Sierra's parent company, Vivendi games, was subsumed into the publishing behemoth now known as Activision-Blizzard.

The future of the game hung in the balance until Atari confirmed that it would be publishing the title, later announcing a June release date.

Now the title has once again changed hands. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will be publishing the Terminal Reality-developed game in the EU on June 19. The launch will be done in cooperation with Atari to coincide with the release of the Blu-ray versions of the original movies. Initially the game will be available only on the PS2 and PS3, with a PSP version arriving later in the fall. The latter version had been widely believe to be cancelled.

[UPDATE] To the relief of Canadian and US Wii, Xbox 360, and DS owners, Sony Computer Entertainment America reps told GameSpot that today's announcement has no bearing on the game's launch on June 16 across the Atlantic. "SCEA does not have plans to publish Ghostbusters in North America," said the rep.

Ghostbusters puts the player in the role of a trainee Ghostbuster, who, along with the original characters Spengler, Stantz, and Venkman, is tasked with cleaning up a ghost-ridden Manhattan. The game will feature an all-new story, penned by the original writers and stars Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, who will also appear in the game. In addition, Bill Murray will reprise his role as Venkman.

When contacted by GameSpot, Atari confirmed that the Wii, Xbox 360, and DS versions would be coming "later in the year" but did not offer further details.