Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

Sony traps Ghostbusters in EU

  • By Mark Walton, GameSpot UK
  • Posted May 6, 2009 4:47 am PT

SCEE is set to publish Ghostbusters game on June 19 on PS2 and PS3 in Europe; PSP edition to arrive in the autumn, other versions coming from Atari "later"; gaming shipping on all platforms in US on June 16.

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.

Mr Stay Puft didn't take the Sony news well, especially after selling his PS3.

Mr Stay Puft didn't take the Sony news well, especially after selling his PS3.

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.

137 Comments

  • ddt88

    Posted Jun 11, 2009 1:08 am GMT

    Destructoid are reporting that the US version is NOT Region locked: http://www.destructoid.com/xbox-360-version-of-ghostbusters-not-region-locked-132821.phtml

    Freakin' Sweet - US Pre-Order anyone?

  • digital_reaver

    Posted Jun 8, 2009 3:46 am GMT

    seriously, how is a three day delay "screwing" us? its three days. not 3 weeks. or months.

    and since when do sony need to care about the other platforms? all power to them for securing an exclusive release in the EU! gives me awesome bragging rights over my 360 mates.

    i never hear people complain when the 360 gets games like bioshock a year before PS3. or when PS3 exclusives go multi. buncha hypocrites out there.

  • EmkayXx

    Posted May 17, 2009 2:16 am GMT

    It's more than just a 3 day delay @issizots
    And...i found this very lol.

  • PSgamer99

    Posted May 16, 2009 6:07 pm GMT

    nobody should start on sony about exclusive content when microsoft has been the real b**chs about it lately

  • shadow5040

    Posted May 10, 2009 7:46 am GMT

    Man... Sony really know how to annoy people, it's kind of a petty thing to do, it's not as if it's going to make people who don't have a PS3 buy one :S... it's just childish...

  • issizots

    Posted May 7, 2009 3:29 pm GMT

    quit whining about a 3 day delay geez... I live in the US and we get screwed over just as much as you guys do IF NOT MORE... The place that we should be complaining about is JAPAN who gets ALL the games first with a ton of exclusives along with that. Can I say are there any Final Fantasy Dissidia Fans in here? If so you'd be glad to know that on the PSP it's released in Japan, but the US has a release date almost a YEAR after its initial release. How aching is that? Well, compared to three days i'm sure it will not hurt. Hell complain about Final Fantasy XIII's release date, and the demo being released in japan but not in US nor EU as i'm aware and i'm very aware. This game may not even be all that great as much as it's been shuffled from publisher to dev. to publisher to etc. It doesn't even go along with the movie story-line for any of the movies. This game being delayed for 3 days for Europeans could be good and mean a full fledge refund of well needed money and can get a better game such as batman arkham asylum or assassins creed II(fall). Anyways I just hate when ppl gripe about delays, as long as video games have been out you'd THINK people would have gotten used to the concept of delays and not act so synical towards the company that's fixing the bugs that makes the game suck in the first place. So we can say we all get screwed even japan IF...they're lucky(heh).

  • smeghead83

    Posted May 7, 2009 11:41 am GMT

    Thanks Sony for not only ignoring other consoles apart from your own but also s****ing over your European market YET AGAIN

  • TheSergeant

    Posted May 7, 2009 9:57 am GMT

    Why is it they always identify the Ghostbusters as "Spengler, Stantz, and Venkman" but never add Zeddemore? Winston may not have had as prominant a role as the others but was still a part of the team.

  • slainta

    Posted May 7, 2009 7:10 am GMT

    What the hell is written there? Are the other consoles getting it the same day of the PS3? Anyhow, 3 days later is not the end of the world. I still wonder why Sony does it to us Europeans, but it's not a big deal.

  • Al_CaPope

    Posted May 7, 2009 5:39 am GMT

    thanx again for putting EU customers last on the "who do we give a s**t about" scale!

  • cell_100

    Posted May 7, 2009 4:50 am GMT

    i really wanted this game on my 360 come day of release cause my mates ent got a ps3 :/ god damn it sony. looks like its ps3 then for now....

  • duke-nukem11

    Posted May 7, 2009 3:24 am GMT

    well duke nukem maybe dead. but at least my ps3 aint lol

  • kendrene

    Posted May 7, 2009 2:34 am GMT

    Thanks Sony for shoving this dirty deal up our european *** Not everyone has the money for a ps3 that here is still at 399euros. Thank you very much.

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:20 am GMT

    @SillySkeleton - @cid_007
    Took me 3 reads aswell to understand that article, not written well is it?

  • ico92

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:03 am GMT

    @silly skeleton
    @cid 007

    join the club

  • cid_007

    Posted May 6, 2009 11:18 pm GMT

    @ SillySkeleton: I still can't follow what the hell that damn article is all about. It's like my brain got slimed! Sony seems to be splattering ectoplasm on the deal, hence my former post/jingle.

  • gk_of_berea

    Posted May 6, 2009 11:07 pm GMT

    I recently discovered that the old cartoons are OnDemand for Comcast subscribers. Talk about nostalgic. I actually got to see the episode explaining how Slimer got to be buddies with the Ghostbusters. Really brought out the kid in me.

  • SillySkeleton

    Posted May 6, 2009 11:05 pm GMT

    Jeez, it took me 3 reads to understand what the hell that article was telling me.

    So basically, all consoles get it at the same time in the US, but in EU only the Playstation versions of the game are coming out in June,

    Is that right?

  • cid_007

    Posted May 6, 2009 11:01 pm GMT

    "When there's somethin' strange, in your neigborhood,
    who ya gonna call?
    When there's somethin' weird, and it don't look good,
    who ya gonna call?"
    SONY!!!!

  • MTMind2

    Posted May 6, 2009 10:42 pm GMT

    @willie699 who says "Come on, your the ones that are ruining our superior copy of FF13 so they can put together your shoddy port. (I own both consoles BTW Just prefer my PS3)"

    then as a multiconsole owner you really should know better than that. the 360 doesnt change the ps3 version of ff13 in anyway at all, which is being launched in japan first before they even start the 360 port. i expect the 360 version to be equally good, with the exception of sd video and audio for pre-rendered cutscenes instead of blu-rays hd video and audio, and the inconvenience (to some) of multiple disks.

    back on subject, sobleck said "my guess is that atari was probably gonna publish late in the eu anyway most likely due to financial issues and so Sony thought it was an opportunity to get a timed exclusive by publishing it initially while atari sorted the others out later"

    im not 100% sure about financial reasons, but i do think you have a point there. interesting.

  • taisui

    Posted May 6, 2009 9:09 pm GMT

    Most.Idiotic.Publicity.Stunt.EVER.

  • SpookyJack

    Posted May 6, 2009 8:00 pm GMT

    Waw, thanks a lot Sony. Now I'm definitely not getting a PS3. (Unless Heavy Rain turns out to be the best game ever)

  • AntwanMedia

    Posted May 6, 2009 7:56 pm GMT

    Why is it that only the Europeans have to suffer this timed exclusivity; considering how many Ghostbuster's fans live in the US, etc, I'd have thought they'd have taken advantage there too.

    This just sounds utterly daft to me...

  • gobbo00

    Posted May 6, 2009 7:02 pm GMT

    willie699 "shoddy port" and you would know this, as I take it you work at Square-Enix?

    As for PS3 owner's having to "endure" this most of the games were "exclusive" (and already finished) Bioshock & Lost Plannet spring to mind LOL. As for The Darkness, DIRT & orange box (among others) were down to programing issues, and Rainbow Six Vegas & GRAW 2 Sony was not even in the EU market!

    I just wonder about the how long the wait is, if it's over a month I will just wait for the 360/wii/DS & buy the PS3 secondhand cheap (like I did for Unreal 3).

    Good move by Sony (since Sony Pictures did the flims) I realy don't see this as a "system seller" though. In fact I don't see many games due for release as "system sellers" this year. As 90% of the big games re-hashes of what we have already(Mass Effect 2, Assasins Creed 2, Uncharted 2) seen this generation and in my eyes, if you have not brought a system to play the original your not going get one for the sequel (apart from GOW 3 last gen that is a system seller).

  • jediknightoms

    Posted May 6, 2009 6:59 pm GMT

    as much as i love ghostbusters and my ps3, i just know that this game is going to suck

  • antibanner

    Posted May 6, 2009 6:44 pm GMT

    im loving it

  • pqual322

    Posted May 6, 2009 6:41 pm GMT

    thats not cheap..its smart

  • joesh89

    Posted May 6, 2009 6:27 pm GMT

    cheap move on sony's part.

  • willie699

    Posted May 6, 2009 5:48 pm GMT

    Ironic a lot of the 360 owners are complaining about Sony doing this. Dont they know that PS3 owners have had to endure this for the last 2 years with some games due to Microsoft? Come on, your the ones that are ruining our superior copy of FF13 so they can put together your shoddy port. (I own both consoles BTW Just prefer my PS3)

  • HUNTER-VENOM

    Posted May 6, 2009 5:14 pm GMT

    I'm not worried because I live in the US but as for others, Sony just made a bunch of people hate them more. The funny thing is I have a feeling it's still gonna sell more on the 360 even with there delay tactic.

  • jaymib

    Posted May 6, 2009 4:11 pm GMT

    Oh great, i'm a fan of the movies and was looking forward to this, but because i'm a 360 owner i have to wait now! that takes the mickey. But looking on the bright side, Batman is outo n the same day, so i'll have time to play that, just think its unfair to make others wait, no one going to go and buy a ps3 just for one game, what are sony thinking?

  • Pete5506

    Posted May 6, 2009 3:44 pm GMT

    nice move sony?!?!?!

  • sobleck

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:55 pm GMT

    @ hassy94 my guess is that atari was probably gonna publish late in the eu anyway most likely due to financial issues and so Sony thought it was an opportunity to get a timed exclusive by publishing it initially while atari sorted the others out later

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:42 pm GMT

    I guess because Europe is the PS3s weakest region Sony is trying to have it released there early to help boost PS3 sales in Europe but if your going publish it in Europe ahead of the other versions on other consoles why not publish it ahead of the other console versions world wide.

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:39 pm GMT

    Hang on, I'm confused.... probably me just reading it wrong... but it says in the 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" - so does that mean the US/Canada are getting it on all the other formats apart from PS3 on June 16? If so, that's a rub back in the face for PS3 owners who thought that finally, the PS3 had been given a great deal first for once... I mean, it deserves it. With all the extra stuff MS are famous for paying for and keeping away from the PS3 either indefinitely/for a short time, I thought it was nice to see the PS3 get a break for once.

    The story isn't very clear to me at all *confused face being pulled*

  • markB0SS

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:34 pm GMT

    THANKS ALOT SONY

  • AngelCage-2 posted May 6, 2009 2:26 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    AngelCage-2

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:26 pm GMT (hide)

    What is this?

    Dear Sony: Secure AAA exclusives, not crap. This is kinda stupid, not because sony is getting a game from the other systems, but cause they get a horrible game... they are doing a favor to MS and nintendo, cause they will not see this horrible game in EU.

  • Bufta

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:26 pm GMT

    Hmmmmm im getting a warm glow all over after this news, that medicine sure is bitter ay.

  • TheDecoy2124

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:08 pm GMT

    Tonitorsi, no ones going to listen to a guy with a Naruto pic, just doesn't work that way.

  • SchumiF1

    Posted May 6, 2009 1:50 pm GMT

    Can't wait for this game!

  • kevboard

    Posted May 6, 2009 1:43 pm GMT

    i hate sony so mutch! and now my hate is getting bigger!!!!

  • ssjbryando

    Posted May 6, 2009 1:39 pm GMT

    Its not an exclusive right..so..? People didnt seem to like this game at all (demo's o_O?) on others sites either lol. I dont see why everyone is thinking off this as xbox payback >_> but I didnt read everything.

  • tonitorsi posted May 6, 2009 1:23 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    tonitorsi

    Posted May 6, 2009 1:23 pm GMT (hide)

    Sony's taking over.

    MS and Nintendo, step away.

  • blargamuss56

    Posted May 6, 2009 1:15 pm GMT

    So basically Sony is saying "F U you gotta wait" to the people with other consoles in the EU? I would expect that move from M$ but not from $ony.

    But then again, both companies are all about making money.

  • chronolzx

    Posted May 6, 2009 1:04 pm GMT

    yea... region free is awesome

  • snooker8th

    Posted May 6, 2009 12:58 pm GMT

    don't you people get it ... ps3 = region free. Anyone who likes ghostbusters will check out the demo first on the EU store then order the game internationally if they want it that badly.
    the other consoles do not afford this kind of 'region cheating' or 'store cheating'. i love it!

  • TehEliteElite

    Posted May 6, 2009 12:57 pm GMT

    What about the PC version? :S

  • snooker8th

    Posted May 6, 2009 12:55 pm GMT

    oh and 'exclusive for EU' remember people ps3 blu-ray is region free so any Americans can play too

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