To Be Announced: Sony has landed new game partner
Those of you who have read PC long enough will know that I despise rumour without foundation - it’s kind of a hard distinction to make, between good rumour and bad rumour. For me to report it here, I have to take into account who’s reporting the rumour (do I know them? do I trust their instincts in this matter?), what the rumour is (what information do we know? does the rumour corroborate other info, or at least seem to make some sense?), and where the source is (”some guy” doesn’t go far, but “someone official” does.)
So, get ready (and those of you who opted to rant, even when it was explained that corporate dealings are weird, lengthy, and make no sense on a logical human level.
Someone at official at Sony emailed me over the weekend - Sony should be announcing shortly (no date, but let’s say in the next two weeks, maybe) that they are in the final steps of locking in their new publishing partner for the Ghostbusters video game.
I can’t use names, or at least I’m pretty certain I can’t, but I can confirm this is from an official track and that they summed up the matter thus;
We are close to announcing the new video game partner. It’s been a wild last couple weeks. Tell the fans all will be okay. The game will have to ship in 2009. Even if we had a partner on board in august, it’s almost impossible to meet the oct date. The game has to go thru various approvals at sony playstation, microsoft, nintendo. Retailers cannot react as well, tv ad space is closed. Lastly, we are also going to use the time to work and fine tune development of the game.
In longhand, that means that as expected, finding a new partner was inevitable - the game wasn’t in serious danger of not coming out. However, by changing dance partners, it became inevitable that the October date would not be met. As a side effect, retailers effectively have to put the game aside until a new official release date is announced. Plus, TV ad space that was lined up has to be dropped, and the process for setting up new ad space started. All of this pushes the game into 2009, though we don’t know when yet - Halloween is a great time to put it out, but is Sony willing to wait a full year? Maybe not. BUT, and this is the silver lining the pessimistic refuse to accept, extra time means extra effort put into the game. This means more refinement, likely more content, and maybe even more features.
Now, remember what I said about info interacting and corroborating other info; well, I didn’t get to see the Ecto-1 (broken down? maaaaaan) and all I got for GB swag was the lanyard strap all PAX passes were given out on, but I did pick up some info that isn’t as solid as above, but it’s still coming from some in-the-know (or at least, way more in the know than you or I), that Sony wasn’t lacking for dance partners in this transition period, to the extent that Sony was able to outright dismiss some suiters as being not right for the task. You want to finally hear a rumour from a guy that tries to avoid them like a plague?…
…Atari or EAP (Electronic Arts Partners) and we’ll know one way or another very soon.
So. What’d you guys do with your long weekend?
OH, HEY!
For those of you that dig the Rock Band, my pals The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets are going to be featured on the PAX Pack, 3-song DDL pack for this Tuesday - Harmonix is donating money from sales of the pack to Child’s Play, which is a big deal for charity. I got to hear the track, in Rock Band (technically, Rock Band 2) at PAX, and it’s as good as it gets for tracks that aren’t “classic” rock tracks. I even got to hear the band belt it out on stage at the Harmonix booth - lead singer scored 100%. Go figure.
So, all you PC rockers out there interested in supporting PAX and digging some rock from a fellow Ghosthead (lead singer - total GB nerd. Dig it), keep an eye out Tuesday!
September 1st, 2008 at 3:45 am
Thank god for that. Wasn’t worried for a second. lol.
Seriously though this is great news. Great of sony to lay our minds to rest.
Nice one castewar.
September 1st, 2008 at 3:47 am
Sorry meant to add - hopefully we may still get a demo around october time.
I know its a bit early, but Blacksite area 51 had a demo out ages before the actual game. So here’s to hopeing.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:38 am
At least that’s something, although irritating that the delay was confirmed as a certainty we all feared.
Although the cynnic in me feels that even if they did have a chance to release it this year, they’d still try go for the anniversary next year.
I still wish a pox on Activision, though. This would’ve happened if they weren’t the greedy swines they so blatently are.
September 1st, 2008 at 5:24 am
Still Bummed. This was a big thing I was looking forward to this Halloween for many months.
September 1st, 2008 at 5:51 am
It’s nice to FINALLY have something solid as evidence, like you said, and not just rumors and speculation floating around making everyone miserable. At least we know that this game will see the light of day, and with the extra time for extra polish it could turn into an even more thrilling GB game then it was already looking to be. ~Cheers
September 1st, 2008 at 6:09 am
OK well I feel a bit better. here’s hoping we still see that anniversary release…
September 1st, 2008 at 6:31 am
Of course it stinks that it was pushed back, but it hey if it makes it a better game, even if only slightly, I’m down. It’s also good to know that the PS3 exclusive rumors are false. I got an XBox in March and the game was like 50% of the reason.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:43 am
Well, we finally got something official, the delaying was inevitable… but now I´m calmed down knowing Sony just drop some lines.
The darkness has started to be clear.
Thanks Castewar
September 1st, 2008 at 6:48 am
Were Back! I am thrilled. You know if they have enough time dare I same a christmas release or even a new years day to got with GB II timing. That would be cool, but I’m glad they did get someone to do this game and I know Sony put too much bread into this game to let it slip through the cracks. At least this gives me more time to get money saved up now that I bought that RGB DVD Set.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:20 am
Good to hear SOMEthing finally. Although that Halloween 09 suggestion was outta line. ; )
September 1st, 2008 at 8:35 am
That’s good news. I still think June is a logical release window.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:39 am
[...] Proton Charging got the exclusive from Sony regarding the future of the Ghostbusters game. It doesn’t sound like they had a hard time finding a publisher. In fact they got to turn away quite a few that didn’t seem like a good fit. [...]
September 1st, 2008 at 8:56 am
Funny enough, even though it’s just a rumour at this point, right when I passed the Atari area at PAX I thought to myself, “you know, maybe they should publish it”.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Thank God.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Well..I feel better now that someone official is out there..even though I’m mad about no 2008 release..more time and more effort is good for me.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I thought that EA was a strong possibility even before this peice of news was announced. Let’s see if my guess turns out to be correct!
September 1st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Agreed, Dan. I think you’re guess is a good one. I’m officially going to say, “what he said” on that one.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Wow, all i can say is i am glad that it is coming out and even a little relieved that it will be coming out next year, as opposed to Oct, This year. (that reason being i had an unexpected huge opportunity to buy a house close to work and school! Woot! for me!) so being released next year gives me some time to start a small change jar to buy the game and possibly a refurbished ps3/xbox360 sometime when it does come out! Hooray!
September 1st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Is Activision part of Sierra? Because I thought they were publishing the game? See, here is the site:
http://www.sierra.com/en/home/games/game_info.prod-L2NvbnRlbnQvc2llcnJhL2VuL3Byb2R1Y3RzL2dob3N0YnVzdGVycw%3d%3d.platform-global.html
September 1st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
We are the only, Ghostbusters…and were Back! This is the best news so far and glad to see Ghostbusters Game hitting stores next year. Sorry to see no Oct. release but gives me time to check on both Ecto’s. Hoping the game will be release during around Halloween but maybe so. Glad and proud that Sony found new partners with another game company. Lets count the days of Ghostbusters The Game here at Protoncharging.com
Jas aka Hollywood Star Car Detective
September 1st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Who cares if its released on halloween or not. I for one am pissed about the set back and DONT wanna wait another year to get this game. Just realease the damn thing all ready why is sony so stupid??!?!? Havent Ghostbusters fans waited long enough for the next chapter of anything in this series??!?!?!?!?!?
September 1st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Not to mention ive already pre- ordered and payed for 2 copies of the game, 1 for x=box 360 and 1 for Wii. Waiting til next halloween is just stupid RELEASE THIS THING ALREADYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYONE WHO IS OK WITH THIS SET BACK CLEARLY ISNT ALL THAT EXCITED ABOUT THE GAME. i SAY EVERYONE MARCHES OVER TO SONY AND SMACKS ALL THE SUITS!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
does anyone know if I absoutely have to give up my deposit on the game to gamestop..because I’d rather hang on to my reserve on the game.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
I agree with Ben King, a pox on Activision, if it wasn’t for them sonofabitches, we wouldn’t be facing the delay that we’re facing now, maybe, since this is Sony we’re also dealing with.
Ugh, I’m glad that Sony found a new publisher, but it sucks ass that we’re facing a 10 month delay.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:51 am
1) The deposit was on a game listed with a distributor that is no longer distributing the game, which is why it’s dropping off the system. The retail stores held onto the listing on the off chance Activision stayed involved, but now… So, yeah, you probably have to give it up. The Sierra listing is going away, and they have no new listing yet to move the money onto.
2) Smack Sony around? Really? That’s you’re big idea, abuse THE ONE PARTY THAT’S BEEN PUSHING THIS THING FOR TWO YEARS AND WORKED LIKED CRAZY TO SAVE IT FROM AN UNFORESEEN CORPORATE MERGER!?
Good thinking.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Well, honestly, I can see Sony thinking that it was a good idea to wait for the anniversary, when its a horrible idea, so yeah.
Though personally, I think the full blame rest with Activision, if anyone should be smacked around, and hard, it should be them.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Strike on Ghosbusters The Game at Sony, WE WANT IT RELEASED NOW!!!!! They should listen to the fans more, the actors should do the same. Dan Aykroyd should at least step up and tell Sony to give the fans what they want. Why another Oct. 2009 release ? April or Summer release would’ve been great. Again, why Oct. 2009 ? I’d say Dan Aykroyd should step up and give the fans what we wont…GHOSTBUSTERS : THE GAME !!!! What is Sony waiting for ?
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
At least we have a glimmer of hope that this game will see the light of day. I knew they weren’t gonna shelve this game. It’s too damn to put aside. But they better keep their word on it or they’ll be riots in the streets. Cross your fingers, just don’t cross the streams.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
“What is Sony waiting for ?”
Someone that can put the game in a box and distribute it to stores.
I’m not going through all this crap with the comments system again. Didn’t I even say griping and revolutionary rants should be saved for an actual message board?
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Great news! Or at least a taste of good news to come. If only he could’ve said something other than just 2009. Anything like Q1 2009, early 2009, mid 2009 ANYTHING just to give as an idea on when they were planning to get the game out. Then again maybe they haven’t even decided that yet.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Until they finalize the deal (which will finalize a lot of details about the partnership, including release targets, etc.) it’s hard to say more than 2009.
September 6th, 2008 at 9:13 am
[...] Related news: the Ghostbusters video game, which everybody thought was doomed after Activision decided not to release it, is close to landing a new distributor. Read that whole thing over here. [...]
September 9th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hey, just thought I’d let you know that amazon.com has the shipment date for the ghostbusters video game at june 9 2009.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
# hannibalking September 1, 2008 8:56 am
Funny enough, even though it’s just a rumour at this point, right when I passed the Atari area at PAX I thought to myself, “you know, maybe they should publish it”.
Atari published those critically-panned Matrix games, so I don’t know if they have a good track record with licensed games.
I still can’t figure out why Sony doesn’t have their video game publishing arm (Sony Computer Entertainment) publish the game. Wait, I do know why: because it would make TOO much sense!
#bulldawg September 9, 2008 8:58 am
Hey, just thought I’d let you know that amazon.com has the shipment date for the ghostbusters video game at june 9 2009.
Actually, their listings say, “This item will be released on June 30, 2009.” Of course, that doesn’t mean squat. You’ll also notice that they still list Sierra as the publisher.
Simply put, those listings are placeholders and nothing more. Right now, anyone who pre-orders the game using those or any other listings, is stupid. I honestly don’t know why ANYONE pre-orders anything more than 2-3 months before the release date. Heck, I use to pre-order the GTA PS2 games a mere WEEK before the release, and I always got them shipped to me on day 1 - and those games are WAY bigger than GB.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
The publisher has nothing to do with the quality of the game. If the game sucks it’s the developers fault not the publisher.
September 11th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Ghostbusters The VG
Oh gosh let it be ZootFly
October 15th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
[...] back at the beginning of September I mentioned that I had it on good authority that the game was still alive, that a publisher was about to land, [...]
October 15th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Amazon just put that date up as soon as they found out the game wasnt being released. June 9, 2009 is NOT ACCURATE! I know this because i reserved the game through them and they e-mailed me saying they ESTIMATE it will be out by 6/9/2009. It is not right!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:10 am
[...] be said really - Kotaku, via Variety, is reporting the official word we’ve been waiting for. You heard it here first, but now it’s golden, Atari has picked up the Ghostbusters video game and [...]