Thu, May 07, 2009 | 15:46 BST
Ghosbuster devs don’t want customers confused over distribution changes
Terminal Reality doesn’t want consumers to be confused over the constant publishing changes for Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
After changing hands three times within a year, VP Joe Kreiner says the team is frustrated and hoping the alterations do not sully customer expectations.
“It is not the ideal situation for a developer like Terminal Reality as we really enjoy a collaborative relationship when we work with publishers, so that has had to be rebooted every time the game changes hands,” Kriener told GI.biz.
“As a developer these distribution decisions are handled far above our level and is not been something that we would have a say in. We have just focused on keeping the teams attention on making the best game we possibly can.
“We do not want the consumer to be confused as that can hurt sales. Our hope is that this is a transparent change to the gamer and that the desire to play the next authentic chapter of Ghostbusters is a draw that overcomes any complications.
“All I can say from the Terminal Reality perspective is that the game is done on all platforms. We are really pleased with the final result and happy that it is ready for the fans on every platform whenever the decision is made to release it.
It was announced yesterday that Sony would publish the PlayStation versions of the game in Europe, thus pushing the Microsoft and Nintendo SKUs later into the year.
All platform versions in North America will still release on schedule via Atari.
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Posted in: Action, Adventure, Atari, DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Sony, Wii, Xbox 360
Tags: ghostbusters, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Terminal Reality
15 comments
#1
Blerk
07/05/09, 3:49 pm
You can see why they’d be pissed, tbh. Especially with the deal being Euro-only, by the time the other versions hit the ‘buzz’ will be over and they probably won’t sell.
#2
Patrick Garratt
07/05/09, 3:51 pm
I can’t believe the endless pass the parcel on this game. Must be a nightmare for the devs.
#3
No_PUDding
07/05/09, 3:59 pm
I really wonder if Atari Europe couldn’t AFFORD to publish it…
Why would they chose Sony otherwise? It was only Atari’s to give away, and why would they not want to publish this game? The only answer is they can’t afford to.
I reckon it could have gone to any publisher in EU, it just happened to go to SCEE, and then suddenly it was their publishign rights to mess around with.
Who knows.
#4
Blerk
07/05/09, 4:11 pm
I seriously doubt Atari would’ve approached Sony to request that they publish the title, especially when the other versions are actually going to get released eventually. If they were in trouble then surely they’d have tried to farm all versions out to a multi-format publisher?
Sony will be the ones doing the chasing, here. Although that’s not to say that Atari still don’t need the money.
#5
No_PUDding
07/05/09, 4:26 pm
Why wouldn’t Atari ahve appraoched Sony? With Phil there, it seems much likelier than any other publisher. No doubt he’d know and have worked with people (if not being friends) who are still at Sony.
Atari Europe can;t afford to put these games on the shelves so, who can help out?
It also means later in the year if they are in less of a stick situation, Atari still ahve the opportunity to publish the other platforms later on this year.
#6
Blerk
07/05/09, 4:28 pm
That’s a very big assumption you’re making there, Pud. Atari seem to be affording to put all their other games on the shelves.
#7
Rock_Me_Amadeus
07/05/09, 4:40 pm
I think Pud’s right. Atari Euro may only act as publisher for other formats if the PS versions sell enough to fund it.
Will be interesting to see if Atari is still publishing the Q Entertainment, Tekken 6, Ready 2 Rumble titles later this year, or if it farms them out to ‘partners’ too.
Investors want money back quickly, it seems.
#8
No_PUDding
07/05/09, 5:04 pm
Blerk, it’s about as big an assumption as you’re making. All we have is anecdotal evidence and the scenario.
#9
David
07/05/09, 6:43 pm
All I can say is I’m not buying the game now and when it finally is released on the xbox 360 I’ll rent it. Complete the single player and send it back. My interest in this game died with the news of the delay.
#10
Seraphemz
07/05/09, 6:57 pm
David – SONY doesnt care.. you werent going to get it for their system anyways.
#11
David
07/05/09, 7:47 pm
and I don’t care to get an expensive console like ps3 just to play 1 game. I’ll rent it now I see no point in actually buying it whenever the 360 release is.
#12
Seraphemz
07/05/09, 7:52 pm
Why not.. you did it for the 360??
#13
Gekidami
07/05/09, 8:02 pm
Want me to call you a Waahhhbulance David?
#14
Cort
09/05/09, 10:50 am
Sony own all rights to the Ghostbusters IP – film, video, games, merchandise, everything. MS and Nintendo owners are lucky they are getting it at all.
#15
No_PUDding
14/05/09, 1:03 am
So, if they’ve pulled out of E3, I am betting that’s why this deal went on.
(lttp)