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ESRB rates Ghostbusters game for PSP
Looks like the Ghostbusters are heading to PSP, if this ESRB listing is to be believed. According to the ratings bureau, the PSP will receive its own version of Ghostbusters, based on the PS2 and Wii versions of the game. The game has been announced for pretty much every platform including the DS and iPhone, so it's unsurprising that Atari would want to make a quick buck by releasing a PSP port as well. [Thanks, David B.!] %Gallery-38587%
Harold Ramis talks Ghostbusters and lengthy game scripts
MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo used his MTV Movies contacts to get some info out of Ghostbusters writer and star Harold Ramis regarding the upcoming video game. Ramis said that he and Dan Ackroyd both contributed to the game's narrative, in addition to lending their voices to their old characters, Egon and Ray. "Dan consulted a lot on the story. I just kind of helped him change the dialogue." Speaking of which, Ramis seemed surprised by just how much dialogue there actually was. "It was a little weird. I had no idea because I'm not a gamer. The game scripts are like 250 pages. You need all these alternatives so it took forever. A lot of it is just yelling, 'Look out! Throw that trap, rookie!'" Hopefully having both of the original writers helping out will make the game as much of a classic as the movies are. We'll find out when the game releases in June.
Alyssa Milano talks about Ghostbusters role
Former Charmed star Alyssa Milano will be in the new Ghostbusters video game and she's here (in video) to talk about her new role as Ilyssa Selwyn. Her character is the love interest for Dr. Peter Venkman (voiced by Bill Murray), and is likely to play a bigger role than one would expect. "Paranormal activities take a liking to [Ilyssa]," said Milano. "So crazy things sort of happen ... she can't figure out why, but we'll eventually, at the end, figure out why." It sounds like the leading lady is at the heart of the mystery for this new Ghostbusters outing. And apparently, there's lots of "flirty, flirty sexual tension" happening between Venkman and Selwyn, too. At least, that's what Milano says ... We can't imagine how much sexual tension there could possibly be starring opposite Bill Murray. %Gallery-42934%
Alyssa Milano replaces Weaver in Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Everyone's dream girlfriend from the '80s and '90s, Alyssa Milano, will replace Sigourney Weaver as the leading lady in the upcoming Ghostbusters game from Atari. Weaver originally declined to reprise her role as musician -- and Bill Murray baby-mama -- Dana Barrett unless the game was of "high quality," until she had a change of heart. Unfortunately for the actress, and Ghostbusters fans, the change came too late in development as her character had been written out to make room for a new leading lady, voiced by Milano. Milano, still stunning at 36-years-old, will play Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn -- curator of the World of Gozer exhibit at the Natural History Museum in New York City. Also missing from the regular Ghostbusters cast is Canadian actor (and spokesperson) Rick Moranis, who has since left show business in the wake of collecting giant stacks of Honey! I Shrunk the Kids money. Ghostbusters go on the hunt on June 16. %Gallery-48356%
Ghostbusters game initially had tactical voice commands
Executive Producer Brendan Goss disclosed that the upcoming Ghostbusters game had once featured voice recognition commands that were ultimately removed because they weren't "a good fit." In an interview with Strategy Informer, Goss mentioned that the tech was available and working, but that there were some instances where character personalities conflicted with the command-and-obey system: " ... if you tell Peter Venkman to go open a door he's going to hit you with something, he's not just going to go over and open the door, so that was something that we had a look at and thought, well this is great, but it's not a good fit for what we're trying to do, so we cut it." As much as we'd like to see Venkman comedically berate us, we guess Goss has a point. You know, if you care about that "gameplay" stuff.
Atari drops Ghostbusters multiplayer deets, neglects vital information
There are a few things to be gleaned from the Ghostbusters multiplayer details recently posted on Kombo.com. First of all, the game features co-operative multiplayer in which players catch ghosts as a team. Of particular interest is the multiplayer campaign mode, which allows you to earn cash and upgrade your equipment. There's also an Instant Action mode for less patient players. Beyond that, there are plenty of other details: six power-ups, twelve maps, six different game types, etc. The problem, see, is that Atari forgot one important piece of information concerning any Ghostbusters multiplayer experience: What happens when you cross the streams? It's a vital detail and, frankly, we're shocked it's not even mentioned. We can tell you this right now: If nothing happens when you cross the streams, the trivial geek rage will be heard the world over.
Sigourney Weaver missed her shot at Ghostbusters game role
We reported last year that Sigourney Weaver was interested in a role in the upcoming Ghostbusters game so long as the project was "high quality." The good news: Sigourney Weaver apparently thinks Terminal Reality's adaptation is up to snuff. The bad news: She came to this conclusion too late. At a recent press event in Stockholm, according to Game Reactor, Terminal Reality producer Brendan Goss stated that Weaver originally turned the role down when it was first offered. When the actress later learned that Bill Murray had signed on to do the game -- on the condition that each Ghostbuster get equal screen time -- she approached the makers asking to be a part of the project. Unfortunately for Ms. Weaver, the game was already too far into production and a new lead female role had been written. We can only assume said role is that of Janine Melnitz, the Ghostbusters' sassy receptionist. We imagine the romance between her and Peter Venkman will be a torrid, strange affair, what with the bug eyes thing and all.
Look directly into this new Ghostbusters trailer
The Ghostbusters game presents something of a predicament to the savvy gamer. On one hand, it's a movie-licensed video game. On the other hand, it's Ghostbusters. The PR folks at Atari seem very aware of this touchy dichotomy and have made sure to cram the latest trailer with just enough fan service to make us wonder if gameplay even matters at this point. Example: Some guy: "This game doesn't really look that good." Some other guy: "But ... he said 'don't look directly into the trap!'" Some guy: "Touché." Download HD Ghostbusters Rule #2 Trailer (53 MB)
New Ghostbusters screens feature slime, virtual hair-don't
click to make big (like the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man) You're probably expecting this post to contain some Ghostbusters-related humor; perhaps a "Who ya gonna call," or a reference to not "crossing the streams." Well, it doesn't. Okay, so it does -- but that wasn't our intent. No, that would be showing you this latest batch of screenshots from PS3/360/PC version of the game, featuring the hair of a virtual Harold Ramis. Due on June 16, the game's looking good, playing well, and, so, Atari ... "we're ready to believe you." Damn. %Gallery-42934%
Crossing streams: Ghostbusters game confirmed for week of June 16
It sounds like everyone is on the same page now about the Ghosbusters game release. Sony Pictures stepped on Atari PR's toes by revealing the June 16th date, coinciding with the Blu-ray release of the movie. Atari has since confirmed a June 19th date for the UK. Just to make sure everyone is in on the party, VG247 has confirmed with the game's developer, Terminal Reality, that it's "always been planning day and date release with the Blu-ray discs." Terminal Reality chief Mark Randal says "it will be a huge Ghostbusters week!" That may be true, but how the company's game reviews and sells is a whole other question altogether. Randal wouldn't say if there would be a special edition game and Blu-ray movie box set. We wouldn't count it out -- but that would certainly move a couple units.
Sony Pictures dates Ghostbusters game for Jun. 16
Amid a slew of press releases it shot out in the hours leading up to CES 2009, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment may have stepped on Atari PR's toes. In announcing a June 19 release date for the Blu-ray Disc release of Ghostbusters (the movie), it also confirmed a day-and-date launch of Ghostbusters: The Video Game. The release is long on details concerning the film's HD debut, but short on specifics concerning the game. No platforms are mentioned, although it stands to reason that the highest-profile versions -- Xbox 360, PS3, PC -- will be first out the door. Atari has yet to issue a release of its own concerning the game's street date(s), but we've contacted it for comment on Sony's announcement in the meantime.
Phil Harrison would 'love' to prove Activision wrong about Ghostbusters
When it comes to the much anticipated Ghostbusters game, Atari's Phil Harrison – somehow it still sounds wrong – clearly wants Activision to know what it lost when it cut the game (and several others) loose earlier this year. Speaking to MCV, he called out Activision-Blizzard CEO, Bobby Kotick, on the decision. "What Bobby, perhaps unhelpfully said, was that those games were franchises which wouldn't make $100m of revenue and generate sequels," Harrison said of Blizzivision's choice to offload Ghostbusters. "If that's his benchmark, then fine – and we'd love to aspire to the same benchmarks. But you know what? I would love to turn Ghostbusters into a $100m franchise, just to prove him wrong." That may not happen, but given the hype and fan following – not to mention the fact that it's coming out on at least five platforms – Activision might yet kick itself when the sales numbers are tallied.
Joystiq hands-on: Ghostbusters (PS3/360/Wii)
click to enlarge (Xbox 360) We had no doubt going into our first hands-on with Ghostbusters: The Video Game that developers Terminal Reality (PS3/PC/360) and Red Fly (Wii) are delivering pure, off-the-chart fan service. We were concerned with one thing: Is this game going to be any fun to play? Terminal Reality is well aware that thousands of gamers have never seen the original movie or its (shudder) sequel, so the prospect of tromping around with a pack of middle-aged men in goofy getups might not be a major selling point. Funny jokes, ghosts, wild weapons, and blowing up everything you can see? That's compelling for anyone. %Gallery-38586%
Activision Blizzard still 'reviewing' fate of Ghostbusters, 50 Cent
It seems Activision Blizzard is still uncertain as to who it's gonna call -- to publish ectoplasmic epic Ghostbusters. Speaking to MCV, the newly melded megapublisher was still hesitant to divulge the "absolutely not cancelled" game's fate, along with the fate of fellow Vivendi leftovers like 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. In the wake of Vivendi UK's closure, Activision Blizzard's general manager for the region, Andrew Brown, pointed out that while "Crash, Spyro and Prototype will definitely be released this and next year," the company was still in the midst of "reviewing its options regarding titles that it will not be publishing." Sound familiar? If the games are found unsuitable for Activision's immense sequel conveyer belt, it's likely that they'll be shipped off to more eager publishers. Still, aren't you utterly relieved to learn that Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon are just fine? We were worried there for a second.
Sierra: Ghostbusters 'absolutely not cancelled'
Yesterday's news that Activision Blizzard was only holding onto a select few Vivendi/Sierra properties going forward didn't look good for those awaiting the seemingly triumphant return of Ghostbusters. We contacted Sierra about the game's absence from Blizzavision's "to keep" list, and whether said omission spelled doom for the Ecto-1 crew. Good news, everyone: the game's not giving up the ghost. A spokesperson for Sierra confirmed that, "First and foremost, the game is absolutely not canceled." But does it have a publisher? "[Sierra] is reviewing its options regarding those titles that it will not be publishing," we were told. While not explicitly stated, it definitely sounds like Sierra has begun the process of shopping its remaining titles around to other publishers. These include Double Fine's hotly anticipated heavy metal adventure Brütal Legend. We're still awaiting word on its fate, but can't imagine Tim Schafer and crew letting a little publisher scuffle stop the rock.
Blizzavision keeps Crash, Spyro, Ice Age, Prototype; loses Brutal Legend, Ghostbusters, and more
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Blizzavision_keeps_Crash_Spyro_etc_loses_Brutal_Legend'; One of the major outstanding questions surrounding the Activision Blizzard merger was: "What the hell is going to happen to Vivendi's other video game division, Sierra?" The new super-publisher announced it will be keeping five of Sierra's franchises total: Crash Bandicoot, Ice Age, Spyro, the still-in-development Prototype, and another as-yet-unannounced title. We're currently looking into the fate of Sierra's other publishing arrangements: Tim Schafer's Brütal Legend (oh, Brütal Legend, we're so sorry!), Ghostbusters: The Video Game, WET, and Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. Activision Blizzard is also reviewing Sierra's other properties that they will not be publishing: think Bourne, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, World in Conflict, et al. Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith says, "We are reviewing our options regarding those titles that we will not be publishing." Those games won't be published by Blizzavision because they're not "a strong fit with [Activision Blizzard's] long-term product strategy." No word on the fate of Sierra's classic adventure games like King's Quest, Leisure Suit Larry, etc. As for the status of Sierra's in-house developers, Blizzavision will "realign staffing at Radical Entertainment and High Moon Studios" – the developers of Prototype and The Bourne Conspiracy respectively – while "exploring options regarding Massive Entertainment and Swordfish Studios" – the devs behind World in Conflict and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, respectively. Those "options" include "the possibility of divestiture." Also potentially up for sale: Vivendi Games Mobile and Sierra Online, the latter notably responsible for a large amount of XBLA and PSN games. More on this story as it inevitably unfolds.
E308: Ghostbusters busting ghosts, faces
Ghostbusters could be good, but the antics of Slimer and the gang might not make a smooth video-gamerial transition. If you watch the above trailer, peruse the new gallery and your head doesn't explode, there's a chance for success in an otherwise disappointing scenario.While "cartoonish" graphics might not be everyone's cup of tea, Red Fly still stood up to defend the game, with fun a priority. Realistically, that should be the goal for all games, but somehow adding the word "party" when describing a Wii title actually results in negative fun levels. %Gallery-27664%[Via press release]
Zootfly footage helped sell Ghostbusters revival
With Terminal Reality now holding onto development of Ghostbusters like a charged particle accelerator, most eyes have turned away from Zootfly's unlicensed Ghostbusters tech demo footage that leaked into the wild earlier this year. Most, but not all, as Terminal Reality boss Mark Randel admits that Zootfly's efforts actually helped release the concept from the containment system. "What Zootfly did for us, inadvertently, is help sell the concept," said Randel in an interview with OXM. "When their footage came out, we were close to our green-light meeting, and when the executives saw the reaction from the fans, they immediately knew, 'Hey, Ghostbusters is going to be a big hit - we need to put this game into production.'" We doubt any of this will help Zootfly devs sleep at night -- though we advise if anyone asks if they're a god, they still say "Yes!"
Behind the scenes with Mushroom Men
We may be limited to sporadic updates from Red Fly Studio's Mushroom Men, but they're usually worth the wait. Today, we've got a little quality time with the developers, who sound just as excited about working on their project as we are about playing it. They also manage to work in a little humor, which we're also big fans of around here. The game footage included looks as great as ever, and Q4 is looking further and further away. Though, honestly, we could just stare at the concept art all day long and probably be satisfied.
Ghostbusters dev: Xbox 360 is holding us back
Sony fanboys looking for absolute proof that their system is technically superior to the Xbox 360 got a boost recently when Terminal Reality president Mark Randel told VideoGaming247.com that a PS3-exclusive version of the developer's Ghostbusters game would be more technically impressive than the version being tuned to work on both systems. "If we made a PS3-only game, for example, you could double the amount of objects on screen that you're seeing," Randel told the site at a Sierra event last week. "The PlayStation 3 has seven processors and the 360 only has three, so seven versus three means you can do a lot more on the PS3." Of course, Microsoft fanboys with a conspiratorial bent are likely to pick up on Randel's casual mention that "Ghostbusters is the property of Sony Pictures." Sure, it's possible that Randel is just badmouthing the competition to get in good with the rights-holder on his current game. Just as it is also technically possible that the 3DO will suddenly make a huge comeback this year ...
