What will probably be known as the most dickish move of 2009, Sony just picked up the rights from Atari to publish the Ghostbusters game. What this means is that the game will now be an exclusive for the Playstation 2, Playstation 3, and Playstation Portable. There has been no word on what will happen to the Wii and Xbox360 versions. Update: Ghosbusters Sony exclusive only in PAL territories, Multiplatform is still a go for the US market.
According to GameIndustry Biz
Sony Computer Entertainment will now be publishing Terminal Reality’s Ghostbusters title in a surprise deal signed with Atari today, just one month before the game was set to ship…
…It is unclear exactly what will happen to the Xbox 360, DS and Wii versions of the game, although GamesIndustry.biz understands that Atari may look to publish them at a later date.
I have contacted Redfly Studios, the developer of the Wii and Playstion 2 version, for a comment on the Sony buyout. More news as it developes….
There has been a lot of drama about this title. The fact that it has slipped through various publishers hands, and the debate about which console version was going to be superior. As of right now I want to know how you guys feel about this turn of events.
Personally, I don’t really care. I had zero interest in the game as it was, although I feel bad for my Nintendo brethren who were planning on getting it. It was a smart business move on Sony’s part, that’s all I have to say.
that sux
Sony can rot, for all I care. Bunch of A-holes. This is totally uncool.
I guess it’s a smart business move, but the guys that put all the hard work into the game aren’t likely going to be happy. I know I’d hate it if I put in a lot of work on a version to make it unique to that console only to see it sat on.
I’d say it’s a dumb business move on somebody’s part. Either Sony have paid a little bit of money for some partial exclusivity that under the best circumstances will see a moderate sales boost to perhaps 2 of the 3 versions while Atari likely loses a lot of potential business for the other versions
– OR –
Sony paid a lot of money to cover a significant portion of the lost potential business and development of the other versions, in which case Atari will have done well, but Sony may end up negative.
Eitherway, it’s dumb because, apart from pissing people off, spreading the release of the game over time reduces the effectiveness the marketing push, and as a result the total sales and profits of all the versions combined.
This publishing deal is only for PAL territories, meaning Europe. Now in Europe the game will be a timed Playstation exlusive, but will still be arriving on other consoles later. So far this does not effect the U.S. releases where Atari is still publishing. There will still be a Wii and 360 version.
this is kind of hilarious because just a few weeks ago Sony stated at a conference that they DON’T pay for exclusives like microsoft does.
haha! It’s just funny reading all the comments of the people that actually want to play this game. Personally, I think it was a poor decision on Sony’s part to buy the rights to this game because it probably won’t sell. I personally couldn’t care less about it not being released to the wii. Honestly, who really wanted to get this game? And if you did want this game then you will just make my day that much more happier because I will enjoy people bitching about another horrible game and how Sony were a**holes.
I wasn’t interested in buying this game, but I think that is a very awful thing for Sony to do. If what another commenter said is true and it only affects Europe for now, that still doesn’t make it right.
First, way to suck, Sony. That’s totally a Microsoft move.
Second, for a game that needs to generate hype and interest in the franchise to sell, separate releases will dampen hype and hurt sales.
…..cats and dogs, living together, MASS HYSTERIA!
is this only affecting europe? joystiq suggests tat the deal only concerns europe…?
I don’t believe this!! I was really looking forward to this game. This was very childish of you sony, however your attempt at higher PS product sales won’t work. This game isn’t popular enough. People who dont own a PS product will either live without the game (like me), or if they are very desperate they’ll hunt for an emulator that will play it. Nice move but it was pointless.
@Robin
Well go away then! It’s obvious that many people want this game.
Nice coup on Sony’s part. Though I’m not sure Ghostbusters is killer-app enough to warrant such a move.
if this really only affects europe then sony’s only half a dick, sorry guys that really sucks for you.
@deepthought: and before MS this kind of moves were totally Sony’s (PS1 and PS2 days)!
you cut me deep Sony….real deep
Apparently, Sony is only publishing this game in Europe. It should not change anything for NA release: http://www.gamasutra.com/newswire?story=23503
I feel sorry for the people in EU, the Wii version seemed like a decent attempt into make a good game.
Viggy viggy viggy…. you have been a BAD MONKEY. By Viggy I mean Sony.
@Fabio
You know that does make some sense. Ghostbusters is an American cartoon/movie and is probably bigger here then in Europe, so it is logical that it would be released on all consoles in NA, however I still don’t understand Sony’s position on this, but oh well.
@Robin
Its people like you that should not be allowed to post comments on blogs and that ruin it for the rest of us. I’m up for a good debate about why something is good/bad, but your comment just shows plain ignorance and immaturity.
I still don’t get the deep interest in this game, frankly… The movie was kind of average with an internal conflict between comedy and over-the-top special effects, in my opinion, and I can’t imagine a video game based on it to be anything special.
Then again, the game could be great, but so could be ANY of the two hundred games based on a movie coming out this year… why is everyone paying so much attention to this one in particular?
@ invisibleman
i understand not being into something that’s well liked, or vice versus. i liked wolverine for instance- i thought it was just as predictable and ridiculous as the other X-men movies, and a great improvement over the last. most people disagree. no idea why.
similarly, this movie is at 93% on rotten tomatoes and #28 in AFI’s top 100 comedies. it was really the first movie to take SNL humor to blockbuster movie status. i hope one day you can appreciate the snarky sarcasm that runs throughout it!
and this isn’t a game based on the movie. it’s a game as a sequel to the movie, with new content by the original (award winning and amazing) cast. just imagine it as adding new content to something you love, and you’ll relate, if not understand.
and for me at least, i was obsessed with the movie when i was a kid. even if the jokes were over my head.
that said,
psyched for this game! 360 version for me = the third ghostbusters movie (at least till it’s actually made)!
Go get ‘er, Ray!
LOL
speaking of wolverine, the wii wolverine game is rated T while the ps60 are M!
now who says it’s not a young oriented console????
;-P