Sony Grabs Ghostbusters for Timed Exclusive
Sony grabs from Atari so game coincides with Blu-ray movie release
SCEE will be publishing Ghostbusters: The Video Game on PS3 and PS2 in June - thereby creating a timed exclusive because all other platforms will slip to later this year.
Asked to comment, Atari rather tersely told SPOnG today, "Speak to Sony. We will release other versions later in the year"; having already put a great deal of work into the project with the goal of a June multi-platform release, you can't really blame Atari's people from shrugging their shoulders as that effort evaporates.
But why?
Well, you are Sony Pictures, you have a large property in the form of Ghostbusters, and a 25th anniversary of that same product rushing around the corner. You've got the Blu-ray movie all ready to pre-order.
Your boss is Sir Howard Stringer. His plan is to bring all of Sony's business groups together as a profitable, efficient, fighting unit. There is pressure and plenty of it from shareholders and board members.
So, you are Sony Computer Entertainment. Someone else is going to publish a video game based on a major Sony-held property. That's Ghostbusters: The Video Game and the second party in question is Atari - which is aiming to get the game out on all platforms in June.
This date will coincide with the movie's anniversary Blu-ray release. This is going to entail a big marketing spend from Sony. There's quite a bit riding on it.
Hold on! Why on earth would you at Sony Pictures and Sony Computer Entertainment want to see your marketing spend benefit the competition? Why should Microsoft, Nintendo and 'those guys who make PCs' benefit?
No reason at all. So, you look over the contract regarding intellectual properties... and you have SCEE put out a press release that begins...
"LONDON, UK – 6th May 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) , Sony Pictures Consumer Products, and Atari Europe today announced that Ghostbusters: The Video Game for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation®2 is to be published in PAL territories by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in June, meaning that owners of PS3 and PlayStation 2 will get their hands on the game that reunites the cast of the hit movies.
"To mark the 25th anniversary of the well-loved franchise, the game will launch in coordination with the Blu-ray™ release of the original hit movie and licensing programs from Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. Ghostbusters: The Video Game will launch in Europe and PAL regions on June 19th 2009 exclusively for PS3 and PlayStation 2."
You include some blather from your European Product Marketing Director at SCEE that includes lines such as: “ it doesn’t get any bigger and better than this blockbuster title...”
You also bring the family circle closer by quoting more blather, but this time from the corporate-level 'Vice President of Licensing-Interactive for Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc' (Mark Caplan), which includes: "With our colleagues at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe publishing Ghostbusters: The Video Game, we are thrilled by the dynamic new Ghostbusters game.
"We think it will have tremendous appeal to gamers and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this beloved franchise.
"With this superb game launching alongside the Blu-ray release, we will reach existing fans and the next generation, bringing them all into the irresistible Ghostbusters universe."
You also get a corporate-level Atari spokeschap to blather. In this case, it's Jim Wilson, VP Worldwide Marketing, Atari. Jim says, "Atari is committed to maximizing the launch of the Ghostbusters videogame across Europe..." which is why you're staggering the release? Jim goes on, "In partnership with both Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Inc and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, we have a unique opportunity to add new game products and expand marketing opportunities to reach Ghostbusters fans in Europe."
We will attempt to translate... Sony said that it wanted the f*&^ing game out to coincide with the Blu-ray release and all the hyperbole surrounding it. Why the f^%*ing s*&^ is anybody else going to benefit!!"
You have to wonder whether Activision Blizzard saw something like this coming before it ditched the game last year...
It certainly makes great sense for Sony to create what is effectively a timed exclusive.
Whether it makes sense from now on for third-parties to build games, marketing campaigns and allocate budgets to Sony Movies properties that could result in schedules being shaken...
Asked to comment, Atari rather tersely told SPOnG today, "Speak to Sony. We will release other versions later in the year"; having already put a great deal of work into the project with the goal of a June multi-platform release, you can't really blame Atari's people from shrugging their shoulders as that effort evaporates.
But why?
Well, you are Sony Pictures, you have a large property in the form of Ghostbusters, and a 25th anniversary of that same product rushing around the corner. You've got the Blu-ray movie all ready to pre-order.
Your boss is Sir Howard Stringer. His plan is to bring all of Sony's business groups together as a profitable, efficient, fighting unit. There is pressure and plenty of it from shareholders and board members.
So, you are Sony Computer Entertainment. Someone else is going to publish a video game based on a major Sony-held property. That's Ghostbusters: The Video Game and the second party in question is Atari - which is aiming to get the game out on all platforms in June.
This date will coincide with the movie's anniversary Blu-ray release. This is going to entail a big marketing spend from Sony. There's quite a bit riding on it.
Hold on! Why on earth would you at Sony Pictures and Sony Computer Entertainment want to see your marketing spend benefit the competition? Why should Microsoft, Nintendo and 'those guys who make PCs' benefit?
No reason at all. So, you look over the contract regarding intellectual properties... and you have SCEE put out a press release that begins...
"LONDON, UK – 6th May 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) , Sony Pictures Consumer Products, and Atari Europe today announced that Ghostbusters: The Video Game for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation®2 is to be published in PAL territories by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in June, meaning that owners of PS3 and PlayStation 2 will get their hands on the game that reunites the cast of the hit movies.
"To mark the 25th anniversary of the well-loved franchise, the game will launch in coordination with the Blu-ray™ release of the original hit movie and licensing programs from Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. Ghostbusters: The Video Game will launch in Europe and PAL regions on June 19th 2009 exclusively for PS3 and PlayStation 2."
You include some blather from your European Product Marketing Director at SCEE that includes lines such as: “ it doesn’t get any bigger and better than this blockbuster title...”
You also bring the family circle closer by quoting more blather, but this time from the corporate-level 'Vice President of Licensing-Interactive for Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc' (Mark Caplan), which includes: "With our colleagues at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe publishing Ghostbusters: The Video Game, we are thrilled by the dynamic new Ghostbusters game.
"We think it will have tremendous appeal to gamers and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this beloved franchise.
"With this superb game launching alongside the Blu-ray release, we will reach existing fans and the next generation, bringing them all into the irresistible Ghostbusters universe."
You also get a corporate-level Atari spokeschap to blather. In this case, it's Jim Wilson, VP Worldwide Marketing, Atari. Jim says, "Atari is committed to maximizing the launch of the Ghostbusters videogame across Europe..." which is why you're staggering the release? Jim goes on, "In partnership with both Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Inc and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, we have a unique opportunity to add new game products and expand marketing opportunities to reach Ghostbusters fans in Europe."
We will attempt to translate... Sony said that it wanted the f*&^ing game out to coincide with the Blu-ray release and all the hyperbole surrounding it. Why the f^%*ing s*&^ is anybody else going to benefit!!"
You have to wonder whether Activision Blizzard saw something like this coming before it ditched the game last year...
It certainly makes great sense for Sony to create what is effectively a timed exclusive.
Whether it makes sense from now on for third-parties to build games, marketing campaigns and allocate budgets to Sony Movies properties that could result in schedules being shaken...
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Comments
SuperSaiyan4 6 May 2009 11:11
1/13
Every game Atari has ever published or made or both has been absolutly dire! I am sure this game will be just as bad if not worse than Atari's library of failures.
DrkStr 6 May 2009 12:42
2/13
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
Every game Atari has ever published or made or both has been absolutly dire! I am sure this game will be just as bad if not worse than Atari's library of failures.
Did ya read the story? I wasn't even developed by Atari, it was an Activision game. Atari were only going to publish it, like Sony are now!
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Joji 6 May 2009 13:53
3/13
Don't this will really matter. Sony are clutching at these straws like they count. Ghostbusters will hit 360 on the same day as Batman Arkham Asylum (end of June), so its already going to have its work cut out for it.
Which to buy? Think I'm going to have a dose of Batman (I needs me a Batarang), and get Ghostbusters later. This might have been different, if Ghostbusters had co-op/multiplayer. Why they didn't sort that out is beyond me.
Which to buy? Think I'm going to have a dose of Batman (I needs me a Batarang), and get Ghostbusters later. This might have been different, if Ghostbusters had co-op/multiplayer. Why they didn't sort that out is beyond me.
SuperSaiyan4 6 May 2009 15:00
4/13
I never said it was made by Atari, I clearly stated any game published, made and or both.
But Sony are publishing the game for the PS3...So....
But Sony are publishing the game for the PS3...So....
Serpream 6 May 2009 15:55
5/13
It is interesting that nobody saw this coming. Talking with fellow Ghostbusters fans and gamers I brought this possible scenario up, simply put, "Why would Sony allow something they own be multiplatform on the biggest day they could market?"
Long and behold they finaly pulled the card, though have to admit it is bloody smart to do it after the game is finished at a top consistant quality.
Long and behold they finaly pulled the card, though have to admit it is bloody smart to do it after the game is finished at a top consistant quality.
Richard Woodward 6 May 2009 17:07
6/13
So does this mean that Ghostbusters will be on Xbox 360 in America and other NTSL areas on the 16th or 19th of June as originally planned and just Europe later in the year??
config 6 May 2009 17:14
7/13
Aw, Activision. They published the fondly remembered original.
While I hope this game will be as enthralling as I rose tintedly recall Ghostbusters was on the C64, I fear it will actually be as poor as I would find that original to be if I played it today
Still, the speech synth was ace.
Whatever happened to David Crane?
While I hope this game will be as enthralling as I rose tintedly recall Ghostbusters was on the C64, I fear it will actually be as poor as I would find that original to be if I played it today
Still, the speech synth was ace.
Whatever happened to David Crane?
James Hill 7 May 2009 09:56
8/13
Bunch of F*&kin knob jockies, This sort of Sh*t makes you wanna turn to piracy, chip the xbox and download the US version which will be out on time. surely sony will make money from sales of all these other platforms as they own ghostbusters. I don't know anyone who would buy a ps3 just because it will be out on it 1st. What about all the loyal fans who have pre-ordered the game now is being told it will be out "later this year" wehn will that be DEC 31st you bunch of F%&k wits. NEVER BUY PS they suck c*$k
Daz 7 May 2009 11:01
9/13
@James_Hill
no, you suck, you'd be all "LOL PS3 owners have to wait" if it was the otherway around, why shouldn't Sony get a timed exclusive? if you ask me it should have been console exclusive the same goes for Spiderman why let other consoles make money from something you own?
chip your 360, download the US version, find out it's region free and you could have imported it anyway, see if anyone gives a f**k
no, you suck, you'd be all "LOL PS3 owners have to wait" if it was the otherway around, why shouldn't Sony get a timed exclusive? if you ask me it should have been console exclusive the same goes for Spiderman why let other consoles make money from something you own?
chip your 360, download the US version, find out it's region free and you could have imported it anyway, see if anyone gives a f**k
Kunt Flaps 7 May 2009 19:05
10/13
Who gives a flying F UCK. Gonna cum out on the XBox anyway. It's not gonna make any kunt go out and buy a PS3 just to get this one game! All the PS3 kunts will think they're dead cool now! Yawn!
Daz 7 May 2009 23:27
11/13
@Kunt_Flaps
exactly, it's not like it's Final Fantasy or something, and chances are it'll probably only be exclusive for a week a month at most I'd say
exactly, it's not like it's Final Fantasy or something, and chances are it'll probably only be exclusive for a week a month at most I'd say
Alan 12 May 2009 11:24
12/13
i hate sony for doing this, been waiting for ghostbusters on the xbox since last year, sony know that the xbox 360 version will do better in sales than the PS3 so they want to get a head start with the sales but as soon as the xbox version comes out it's just gonna lay the paranormal smack down on it's money hungry arse....
adamO 31 May 2009 22:53
13/13
its about time PS3 owners had something to brag about, this year is the start of sonys total domination, and its almost come too late, keep your lost and damned we get ghostbusters first.