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.)
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Personally, I think Activision would be so damn stupid to drop Ghostbusters. We’ve seen the reaction to the game, its good, its damn good and if they ax it, that’d be a huge ass mistake on their part.
You make a few solid points to be sure, and I am try to stay calm….
But just for the heck of it I just posted the news and the petition to digg, lets see if we can get that famous digg effect to work in our favor huh?Even if it just shows them that we care : )
http://digg.com/gaming_news/SAVE_GHOSTBUSTERS_Diggers_please_help
*I was freaking at first, but what is even more annoying than the lack of solid proof, is that everyone’s saying that it’s “been axed already”, with all the “reports” being almost intentionally vague…
*Yes, I am just as worried as everyone else…The thought of my favorite IP once again falling flat on it’s face grates me at my very core…Especially them having come this far…
*But with that, being as though the game is mostly “in-the-bag”, I doubt SONY [having sunk as much money into hyping this as possible, not to mention the likeness fees and such] will bury this…And as Chris said - They’re NOT tied to the publisher…
*So again “hats off” to Chris for putting this into perspective…And until OFFICIAL word comes out, the “lynch mob gear” stays in the closet ;P…
*Cheers.
http://gonintendo.com/?p=50824#comments
http://www.destructoid.com/rumortoid-future-of-ghostbusters-and-brutal-legend-in-question-97180.phtml
Considering Activision’s past history with the franchise, I’d have to think that keeping it would be a no-brainer. Then again, most of the suits currently at Activision probably weren’t there 15-20 years ago when they last held the license.
It’s a little comforting to still see the game listed at Activision.com, where I didn’t even know until now that it WAS listed! (Go to the site and search for “Ghostbusters” in the box at the top right.)
Weird. The pre-release buzz is good. The game is almost sure to sell huge. I think they’re gonna regret letting it slip to someone else.
There is no way Activision will let GB go! They would be nuts if they even considered such a thing! It’s going to be one of, if not THE biggest selling game this fall!
I’m not fretting about this at all. I can understand why there would be some initial worry, hence my hasty decision to sign the petition over at GBFans. But, really…I’m sure it’s no big deal. The Sierra PR team said “It is not cancelled and will not be canceled.”
That’s good enough for me.
Freaked me out at thr first… but I find it hard to be true… GHOSTBUSTERS such a BIG NAME to be dropped just like this… many powerful hands will fight for pick it up.
Go ahead, Ghostbusters!!
I agree with Jason - and I as well hurriedly signed the petition at GBFans.com. But even Ryan French mentioned in the Inside Xbox Live thing released Sunday that it was still planned to be released in time for Halloween.
in the article @ gbfans.com it says somebody spoke to sum1 from sony @ comic con and that the blu rays and game are being pushed to next year and thats also why the panel was cancelled! i hope its not true :’(
While I don’t believe the game will be outright cancelled (we have tried to point out that there is no proof that it was being cancelled).. it is possible that it will be moved to a different publisher, or in the very least… it WILL be delayed.
If Activision drops this game, I’ll personally dump green slime on every executive I see leaving their HQ.
Calming is good - but there’s still no harm in emailing Activision to let them know you support the game…
Further evidence of how ignorant some execs can be.
http://www.oxmonline.com/article/xbox-soapbox/ghostbusters-not-cancelled
[...] 2: Proton Charging (THE authoritative establishment for Ghostbusters news) cites a CBS Marketwatch article which reveals the possibility that Activision may publish the game after [...]
Everyone needs to write into activision and demand it.
I rather want Activision instead of EA if that comes to the conclusion.
Imagine if it were EA to publish the game. We might end up seeing their annoying EA logo floating around on banners or something worse in the in-game gameplay! Oooooo the horror……..