Variety: Activision not publishing GB game, helping with options
Posted on July 30, 2008
Variety is reporting that Sony has released a statement that the Ghostbusters game will be published in 2009 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original film, which also gives them time to explore various options for its distribution. Activision Blizzard is said to be helping explore those options with Sony. This doesn’t preclude Activision or a subsidiary being involved in the end, but it does help confirm that the game is pushed back. No word on any delay in the Blu-ray release. Cheers up. The game will see the light of day and appropriately as part of the anniversary.
[UPDATE] Thank you to Mr. Green who sent along this link to a Kotaku article - they just got a preview burn of the game, but it’s impossible to tell if it was sent prior to the Activision announcement or after (which would then help suggest if the disc was sent as part of an old PR plan, or as a post-release PR plan to keep the hype going.) The disc was burnt on the 16th of July, so it feels like it was sent prior to everything shuffling - but, it does mean we’ll see more details on the current state of the game soon.
And a big thanks to Mr. Troy, who scanned the Variety article, for those of us who don’t read the Hollywood trades every day.
[NOTE] I won’t be posting every article out there on this matter - most are rehashes of other articles, who in a lot of cases are sensational and unhelpful. However, when an interesting one pops up, I’ll share. However, that doesn’t mean you guys can’t (and already have been) posting links in the comments (biggest PC discussion yet!) - please though, rather than dumping the long links in there, take the extra step and code it into your post.
< A HREF="http://www.link-address.com">my link!< /A>
will get you…
my link!
(take the spaces out between < A and < / or it won’t work)
For those of you that posted bit links already, I’ll take care of those, but in the future, if you’ll link as above, I’d appreciate it.
Filed Under GB2, MISC, VIDEO | 175 Comments
Previews solicits IDW Ghostbusters #1
Posted on July 30, 2008
Diamond’s Previews catalog is soliciting orders for the first issue of IDW’s new Ghostbusters series, The Other Side, and lists it as due late October. For those not wanting to miss out, or take your chances at finding one on the shelves, now is the time to talk to your local comic shop.
Egon Spengler! Ray Stantz! Winston Zeddemore! Peter Venkman! The original Ghostbusters return in an all-new, four-part Ghostbusters story from IDW! Writer Keith Champagne (Green Lantern Corp, The Flash) is joined by artist Andy Smith in this new Ghostbusters saga. When the Ghostbusters capture a group of ghostly crooks, they unknowingly run afoul of a gang comprised of the spirits of some of America’s most legendary gangsters. Dead or alive, the mafia knows exactly how to deal with a problem like the Ghostbusters: rub ‘em out! • 32 PGS, FC.
Filed Under COMICS, GB | 3 Comments
Greg Miller as ghostbusters fan 1984-2008
Posted on July 30, 2008
The world of gaming press and Ghostbusters fandom lost a real fanboy yesterday when IGN reporter Greg Miller pretend-ended his own life over the news that Activision was pondering the future placement of several in-production titles, including Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Greg the fan leaves behind an office of giggling co-workers, a dog (we assume) named Portillo, three overdue reviews, and a hole in our hearts. See the not-at-all gruesome video here.
Filed Under FANS, GAMES | 8 Comments
Ghostbusters - universal pop culture
Posted on July 29, 2008
I’ve been listen to a lot of British radio comedy, and I was amused to hear how often Ghostbusters is referenced by the current vanguard of UK yuks - In this case, Bill Bailey (Black Books, Spaced) sucker-punches the audience with a slow burner of some word play on the 99p Challenge (a radio panel game, kind of a half-written, half-improved comedy quiz show) and Peter Serafinowicz (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead) gets a series of bizarre references off in The Two Danny’s (a radio spoof of British comedy/variety TV shows.) In case you’re wondering, and I’m sure you are, Egon Ronay was a famous food guide writer in the 50s. I’ve left in a minute or so of the 99p challenge, as lead-in and context.
Filed Under MISC | 3 Comments
Och aye, bustin’ makes me feel good
Posted on July 29, 2008
The trend to steampunk Ghostbusters that started last year at SDCC, continues this year! A slightly different style than last year, but still pretty hilarious.
Filed Under MISC | 7 Comments
More Than A Costume - an SDCC mini-doc about costumers
Posted on July 29, 2008
Bryan Fear, back from the congested floors of the San Diego Comic Con, send in a heads up about this mini-documentary (four minutes - an easy watch) about the people who spend a lot of time and money building costumes specifically for the con. The piece heavily features our West Coast favs, the WCBs.
Bryan was also nice enough to answers a few questions and also came back a font of interesting info; Read more
Filed Under FANS, Props, VIDEO | 3 Comments
More perspective on Activision press release
Posted on July 29, 2008
Let’s hear it for real gaming journalism - the Original Xbox Magazine did the sensible thing, and actually asked Activision for clarifiction;
“First and foremost, the game is not cancelled,” says our Activision spokesguy. As for the future, “The company is reviewing its options regarding those titles that it will not be publishing.” (We bet he says that to all the media outlets.)
So, to clarify: The statement never said the game was canned, only that Activision was choosing not to publish it under the Activision Publishing banner. It will likely be sold to another publisher, or maybe published by one company and distributed by Activision (much like the three-way dev/pub/dist deals on Guitar Hero and Rock Band). Hey, Activision could even create a new brand for all its movie-game licenses (Shrek, Kung-Fu Panda, James Bond) and do it not under Activision Publishing but as Activision Cinema or Activision Flix or something. You never know.
Filed Under GAMES, GB | 12 Comments
Activision makes announcement - calm down
Posted on July 28, 2008
Activision announced today that it is streamlining it’s publishing portfolio and “realigning” two of their subsidiary studios, Radical Entertainment and High Moon Studios, while pondering what to do with two others.
The absence of any mention of Ghostbusters: The Video Game immediately had the gaming press speculating that’s future was at risk. But that’s speculation. Here’s some speculation;
“Four of the five properties that we are keeping will be wholly owned properties that further bolster our strong brand portfolio,” said Mike Griffith, CEO of Activision Publishing. “We are very excited to add such recognizable and successful brands as Crash Bandicoot, Ice Age and Spyro, which reinforce our leadership position in movie-based and family entertainment video games.”
It’s just as easy to speculate that the following statement means that Ghostbusters is the fifth property they’re retaining, which certainly fits their agenda of retaining and building upon strong movie-based properties. It’s just not as exciting, nor does it get gaming websites as many hits (note that their headlines say it’s been axed, but the articles say it’s in “limbo”. Classy.)
So, as usual here at PC, until someone official says, “Ghostbusters has been axed!”, I’ll relax. And even if someone did, neither the IP nor the developers are tied to Activision - they would be free to find a new publisher (and a largely complete product with a high profile brand attached to it isn’t a hard sell.)
Filed Under GAMES, GB | 20 Comments
Newsarama has interview with IDW Ghostbusters scribe
Posted on July 27, 2008
Thanks to JP for emailing me earlier today - don’t normally pay attention to my email much on Sunday’s, but I’m glad I did today. Newsarama has an interview with Keith Champagne, writer on the new IDW Ghostbusters mini-series, The Other Side.
NRAMA: Were you a fan of the movie?
KC: I think the first Ghostbusters movie is one of the greatest comedies of all time. The second movie… maybe not. But it has some great moments sprinkled throughout.
That’s a pretty good way to start an interview - be sure to check out the rest of it.
Filed Under COMICS, GB | 15 Comments
MTV nabs first look at new IDW Ghostbusters comic
Posted on July 26, 2008
MTV got themselves an awesome first look at some of the covers from IDWs Ghostbusters: The Other Side. As well, they had a chance to talk to writer Keith Champagne and artist Tom Nguyen about the book, which is set immediately after the second movie. The spooks the Ghostbusters face in the four-part series are some familiar names, historically speaking;
make that old boogeymen, Champagne explained in an interview with MTV News, revealing that the first issue would see bad guys made out of wise guys. “Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Seigal, Meyer Lansky, and Al Capone,” Champagne wrote. “Ghosts [that] were the types of guys that — while alive — weren’t shy about hitting first.”
Ghostbusters versus mobsters (living and dead) is a popular idea, having been covered in both the cartoons and comics. And the Ghostbusters AS ghosts has also been touched on from time to time - but never in a PG-13 format.
Check out the whole article for more of the interview and large size pics of the covers (not to be missed.)
[UPDATE] CBR has the covers without watermarking, for those interested.
Filed Under ART, COMICS, GB | 15 Comments
SDCC Ghostbusters game - demo controls
Posted on July 26, 2008
While they shouldn’t be considered final, Lucas sent in this pic of the demo controls for the Ghostbusters game. At this stage, they are if nothing else, a really good hint of what the final controls will be, as well as hint as some of the equipment setting features. Thanks, Lucas.
Capture Stream/Alternate Fire (only with proton stream weapons) - Left Button
Secondary Weapon Fire - Left Trigger
Primary Weapon - Right Trigger
Vent Proton Pack - Right Button
PKE Meter/Goggles - Y Button
Deploy Containment Trap - X Button
Jump - B Button
Use/Interact - A Button
Pause/Game Options - Start
Rotate Camera - Right Stick
Xbox Guide Buttons - Xbox Button
Directional Pad - D-Pad
Move - Left Stick
Proton Stream - D-Pad Up
Plasm Distribution System - D-Pad Down
Dark Matter Generator - D-Pad Left
Composite Particle System - D-Pad Right
This is also semi-official confirmation of the game controls as scooped in the OXM article last month - don’t forget, OXM’s interview with Ryan French is tomorrow on Xbox Insider. Don’t miss it!
Filed Under MISC | 4 Comments
More screenshots and details for mobile Ghostbusters game
Posted on July 25, 2008
Some more info and images for the Vivendi Mobile Ghostbusters cellphone game have popped up. The game, which has an excellent caricature cartoon style, has all four Ghostbusters busting ghost in three game-modes (no word on what those are), 50 levels, over various parts of the Greater New York area. C’mon, iPhone version!
Filed Under GAMES, GB | 2 Comments
SDCC Ghostbusters gameplay footage
Posted on July 25, 2008
[UPDATE]
Wow, I hope you watched it, because it got yanked within minutes of me posting it. I wonder if I got a PBS channel in trouble? Whoops.
If the video comes back, I’ll be sure to post it again.
[UPDATE] QZeddemore has found submitted a video he made and posted to Game Trailers - very similar to the one that was on Flickr earlier.
[UPDATE] And more video! Thanks Zack!
[UPDATE] Q posted a whole lot more info he’s gathered at the SDCC - details of the game gleaned from Assoc. Producer Ryan French, pictures of swag from the show (marshmallow flavoured lip balm - nice), and still pics of the game demo main-menu (showing the Firehall in a near exact copy of its real surroundings in New York.) “Extras”, eh?
[UPDATE] Found a new link to the PBS video. Kotaku has their hands-on impressions from the show (thanks to Adam.) As well, Gamespot has not one, but three videos from SDCC, which pretty much put the PBS clip to shame, but fair’s fair - they got the first video up, even if it disappeared for awhile.
Filed Under GB2, MISC, VIDEO | 32 Comments
Oui, le club Ghostbusters c’est tres enorme!
Posted on July 25, 2008
It’s a ghosthead rollcall at the Sony booth today - I see Arizona GBs, West Coast GBs, and many many more! Everybody in the picture, sound off - tell us you were there. Tell us how many showed up for the picture. Someone send me a copy of that group shot! Note the Real Ghostbusters DVD trailer running in the background!
Filed Under MISC | 9 Comments
Envy the booth nerds
Posted on July 25, 2008
There’s a much nicer shot of the Sony booth (full size pic here) - the game is obviously getting some high visibility. The booth has a lot of attendants in black tees with the logo, like the two playing the game here - I’m wondering if the public is getting any hands on time.
Filed Under GB2, MISC, VIDEO | 10 Comments
