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Joystiq impressions: Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked
click for a larger steak -- it's what's for dinner Cook or Be Cooked -- quite an ominous subtitle to a Food Network game for Wii, no? Fortunately, the only thing potentially dangerous we spotted in our hands-off demo of Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked was a scolding by silly-looking caricatures of the network's personalities.To be honest, it wasn't the thought of learning to prepare food properly via a video game that intrigued us. We just had to check out a cooking game by Red Fly, developer of Mushroom Men and the upcoming Wii version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game. That and the title is slated to utilize Wii MotionPlus -- but it wasn't doing so at the event. The brief demo we watched took place inside a nicely realized virtual kitchen, with the demoer following steps on a recipe card to make steak and mashed potatoes. The former required the proper oven temperature (turn the Wiimote to twist the knob, naturally) and frying pan handling. The steak was left in the oven too long, causing the kitchen to fill with smoke. Potatoes had to be cut with small chopping motions and, later, pulverized by holding the Wiimote vertically and mashing away.More of a simulation than the arcade fun of Cooking Mama, Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked could easily be renamed "Learning to Cook Without Ruining Real Ingredients." Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some bacon to waggle.%Gallery-51410%
Ghostbusters DS: shades of Ghostbusters II
The latest set of screens from the DS version of Ghostbusters shows off some of the nice, kind of creepy lighting effects at which Red Fly Studio seems to excel. The developer's DS release of Mushroom Men featured the same kind of atmospheric use of colored lights.Speaking of earlier projects, look what has appeared in the inventory: a "slime blower" like the ones used in Ghostbusters II to neutralize the dangerous Peter MacNicol and vandalize the Statue of Liberty. In this game, it renders "caustic Black Slime" inert and highlights invisible platforms. It's apparently self-regenerating as well! The 'Busters have had some time to upgrade their tech!%Gallery-50992%
First look at Amazon's exclusive Ghostbusters 'Slimer Edition'
We know, we know -- there are those of us who are into Ghostbusters and then there are those of us who are really into Ghostbusters. For the majority of us, dropping a paltry $60 on the Atari-publlished ghost-bustin' game is more than enough. But don't worry, folks, if you were looking to spend $130 bucks for the title, Amazon's got you covered! In the vein of the "Amazon Exclusive" Fallout 3's Survival Edition comes the ... "Amazon Exclusive" Ghostbusters: The Video Game "Slimer Edition." Fancy box? Check. Ecto-1 keychain? Check check. Slimer ... thing? You bet! We've compiled a gallery for your approval below. It seems like just yesterday we were thinking twice about that legendary cat helmet! Update: Amazon has informed us that both the "Slimer Edition" and regular edition of Ghostbusters: The Video Game will be available for release date delivery via Amazon.com. As if we needed more reason not to visit our local brick-and-mortar! %Gallery-50382%
We ain't afraid of new Ghostbusters screens
Look, we're tired. Atari sent over a bunch of new screens for the upcoming Ghostbusters game on Wii and DS and, with all of the clicking and ogling, we're exhausted. So, we're just going to take the easy way out: juice up your Proton pack, point your way towards our galleries below, and try not to cross streams.%Gallery-50084%%Gallery-50085%
What you gonna watch? Ghostbusters!
This trailer for Ghostbusters: The Video Game does a really great job of making the game, and the franchise in general, seem dramatic and action-packed. Which is a bit weird, since the actual movies are ... comedies. Of course, the game is based more heavily on the shooting wiggly beams at ghosts and blowin' stuff up parts of the series than on the "being kind of a sleaze to Sigourney Weaver" parts. Along with the trailer, Atari has released new screens. You can call 'em up in the gallery below. %Gallery-50086%
Dan Aykroyd prefers Ghostbusters for Wii, says romance got axed for gameplay
Dan Aykroyd really likes the 2004 film, The Incredibles. So much so, in fact, that he believes himself to look like an Incredibles-esque superhero in the upcoming Ghostbusters game for Wii, telling Newsweek, "I love the way we look in the Wii platform ... anybody who looks like an Incredible is automatically a superhero." Though we're not sure if there's a direct correlation between the two, Aykroyd firmly believes so, continuing, "I was so pleased that they shaved off at least 60 pounds from my current bulk." Apparently Aykroyd's current poundage isn't all that was shaved in translation from movie to game, as the romantic elements between Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver have been omitted from the forthcoming title. Aykroyd says "the format of ghostbusting lends itself to a video game beautifully," while apparently the finesse required in convincing Sigourney Weaver to fornicate with Bill Murray doesn't so much. Not even a minigame, folks? We kid! It probably didn't help that Ms. Weaver declined to be part of the game, huh? %Gallery-38587%
Bustin' PSP Ghostbusters rumors makes Atari feel good
Bad news for PSP fans looking forward to a version of Atari's Ghostbusters game: the ESRB listing that seemed to indicate an unannounced PSP version was nothing more than a ... phantom. An apparition. Something ephemeral. What's the word? The listing has now been corrected to cover just the PS2 and Wii versions. In addition, Atari confirmed to Eurogamer that it is not releasing a PSP Ghostbusters. Whether the PSP mention in the rating was a clerical error or indication of an earlier, canceled PSP version, the end result is the same -- there is no Ghostbusters on PSP ... only Zuul.
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%
Ghostbusters confirmed for June 16 release on all platforms [update]
[Update: Atari just sent out a press release announcing that the game is coming out across all platforms on Jun 16!]Terminal Reality, the developer behind the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the upcoming Ghostbusters game, said the game is indeed slated for release during the week of June 16th, to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters on Blu-ray. But, what about the Wii version of the game?It's being developed by Red Fly and, while we'd like to think the game will release alongside the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, nothing has been confirmed. Stay tuned for more info as it's made available.%Gallery-27664%
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.
Oh snap! Mushroom Men dev has Deadly words
In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, Dan Borth, lead developer on Red Fly Studio's Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars, offers his thoughts on the market for "core" Wii games, his own game's chances on a system dominated by Wii Fit and such, and designing a game to be accessible to a wide and varied audience.Oh, and he calls out Deadly Creatures. When asked if he's familiar with Rainbow Studios' critter-based brawler, Borth responded with: "I have heard about Deadly Creatures. I have many opinions on that game, especially how it came into being right after THQ received our pitch document for Mushroom Men. I will let you draw your own conclusions."We can't say if there really was any such malevolent behavior behind the conception of Deadly Creatures, but oh snap just the same. And while we may not have seen a parallel before, now that he mentions it, they're both 3D action/fighting games about small creatures adventuring, unseen, in the human world. But we still think Creatures could turn out awesome.%Gallery-18243%
