For everyone that asked, “Is Activision crazy? Why did they drop Ghostbusters the Video Game?”, we now have an answer. While speaking to Activision-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, a financial analyst asked a similar question. The answer is that the company does not see any way to generate post-release revenue with the game, like they can with Guitar Hero’s DLC.
The games Activision Blizzard didn’t pick up, he said, “don’t have the potential to be exploited every year on every platform with clear sequel potential and have the potential to become $100 million dollar franchises. … I think, generally, our strategy has been to focus… on the products that have those attributes and characteristics, the products that we know [that] if we release them today, we’ll be working on them 10 years from now.”
So, there you go – money.
Ugh. The games industry is so much fail sometimes.
New ideas > Endless sequels.
Look at companies like Bioware. You can still be popular creating new franchises and one-off games every now and then.
Ehh, not too surprising. You just knew it was money-driven. I guess I just thought it was because they thought this first game would not sell, as opposed to them thinking there is no possibility for a successful sequel.
Wow… What a d!ckhead. He doesnt even know the potential of the GB franchise. Stupid pencil pushers.
And they saw all that un the 50 cent game? What were they gonna do sell guns? They dont know anything ceos are so stupid this game is gonna sell at least 2.5 million copys watch!
hmmm..Ghosbusters one of the most beloved movie franchises of ALL time in a videogame after 20 years….yea their right that WOULDN’T make money….they really are the dumbest company ever..and by the way Guitar Hero World Tour sucks…Great move Activision…Well when Atari releases it Activision’ll be sorry
Venkman, they’re not publishing 50 Cent either.
As if you needed anymore proof, Activision is run by a bunch of greedy, motherfucking bastards.
Wow. So I guess all those pre-orders, cover stories, and con-coverages meant it was going to be a dud. Good call, Activision.
Wow, I guess “dickless” Mr. Peck works for activision…
I just hope that when Atari releases the game next year that it goes big and Activision kicks themselves for dropping it. I guess there won’t be a ghostbuster theme download for guitar hero either lol.
Simply amazing. So they are saying, if they cant milk a game to death, they dont want nothing to do with it.
So, by that reason, dont make a video game unless you can make a shit load of sequels to follow it up?
Talk about greed!
Not money, constant exploitable money. Disgusting.
You may think it’s insanely viable, and it is, and they’re wrong, but to think this would make as much money as the music games isn’t right of some of you. That’s an impossibility for even Ghostbusters. This game will not produce 100 million dollars worth of 10 year surplus, it just won’t. It’s a silly reason, but it’s obvious for a while they’ve sold their souls out to the guitar games anyway…
Sad……
Just like TV series getting canceled because they don’t have American Idol numbers. Not EVERY TV show can get 50,000,000 people viewing it every night….and now a number like 10,000,000 seems disappointing.
Same goes for Video Games and the movie industry. Makes you wonder why they developed the game in the first place….Seems like a wasted effort
It’s also easier to make those guitar games.
For sure. And when you think of their massive, unstoppable level of downloadable content, it’s a no brainer for them from a marketing standpoint if they’re downsizing to focus completely on them, unfortunately…
lame!!!
I’ve known this since the beginning. Its always about money. I am not the least bit surprised.
stupid bean counters. they probably have bad taste in women too.
Why don’t the activision execs just wear t-shirts that say I ‘heart’ CASH COWS.
Just goes to show the mind set of some of these game CEO’s.
This has gotta be the most depressing thing (in terms of gaming) that i’ve ever read. Also, i hate the way he says “exploit”.
Figures… but really? They couldnt project the possible, if not inevitable high sales as well as outside property tie-ins? (action figures, shirts, etc) all related to the game?
And they — meaning Akyroyd/ Ramis — have said themselves, that this could be the new outlet for further stories… A strange notion, but what if the movie saga was to carry on in a playable format?
To a small degree I can understand the greed of the now and cold hard numbers… but still, even if GB was a one time shot, its a BIG shot. I think when those numbers of sales first come in, they might feel a bit light in the pants as a result, and Im not even talking about their lack of genitalia.
If this game breaks the curse of Ghostbuster games from the past and it a hit, like it will be, im going to laugh when it does become a multimillion dollar franchise and possible open the door for full fledged video game sequels or side story’s to movie franchises.
Has anyone played Guitar Hero? I bought part 2, played it for a few days and then was extremely bored with it. I ended up selling it for half price on ebay about a week later. I really don’t understand why so many people like those Rock-Type of games. I for one will never buy another Rock game.
However, I would definately buy any ghostbusters game that they release on the next gen gaming consoles.
Only 7 more months!
As if Blizzard/Activision needs any more money or an exploitable franchise, for that matter. A nice example of the sound financial state that this company is currently in is the game World of Warcraft. This franchise has just recently reached 11 MILLION subscribers at $14.99 a pop, per month!!! With that sort of statistic in mind, I cannot even begin to grasp how they can justify needing yet another exploitable franchise.
I’m glad Ghostbusters has a new home. These undeserving pricks don’t deserve to make money off of what seems to be a sure-fire hit!
I can’t explain why people love the rhythm games.
On a positive note, it tests rhythm in a way real instruments can’t, really, other than sound. On a negative note it makes everyone and their brother think they are good instrumentalists and will probably never pick up a real guitar. I play the games and play real instruments, and enjoy them both.
But as RoboRob says, their repetitiveness can either make or break the experience for you.
As far as what Anthony said, I would basically answer and say suppose it did EXPLODE. Toys, future sequels, everything, and was popular. It still would NOT reach the range that these Guitar Hero games have reached. Ghostbusters has a wide fanbase, sure, but GH and Rock Band are astronomical in comparison to most game franchises…
yeah i got your guitar hero… it’s called “LEARN HOW TO ACTUALLY PLAY THE F’N GUITAR”
Coming out 10 years from now…
Hahaha I concur with Jim.
Almost a year earlier Penny Arcade had a comic about an Activision exec using the word "exploit" to describe the plans they have for their game properties each year, and a public relations guy trying to come up with non-offensive alternatives. I guess Activision has had this exploitive mentality for quite some time now.