Sony Internal Synergy! SCE pick up SPE franchise Ghostbusters from Atari!

[Maximus]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ers-from-atari

Sony picks up Ghostbusters from Atari

Sony Computer Entertainment will now be publishing Terminal Reality's Ghostbusters title in a surprise deal signed with Atari today, just one month before the game was set to ship, GamesIndustry.biz has learned.

The game is set for a June 19 release alongside the Sony Pictures film, but only on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 platforms, which will have a period of exclusivity lasting several months until the PlayStation Portable edition is launched.

It is unclear exactly what will happen to the Xbox 360, DS and Wii versions of the game, although GamesIndustry.biz understands that Atari may look to publish them at a later date.

This will be the third publisher within a year for the Ghostbusters game, with the former Vivendi title being dropped by Activision in the merger last summer, before subsequently being picked up by Atari.

The troubling economic climate has hit Atari hard, with investors keen to see a quick return on investment - despite the company's core business plan relying on a more long-term view of a radical shift to online publishing.

The company accelerated the sale of its distribution business earlier this year in order to appease investors, and the Ghostbusters deal with Sony - so late in the day - will look to many like another sign of trouble.

UPDATE: Atari has said that with Sony publishing the title, the game will reach a wider audience on release.

"Atari is committed to maximising the launch of the Ghostbusters videogame across Europe," offered Jim Wilson, VP of Worldwide Marketing for Atari.

"In partnership with both Sony Pictures Consumer Products 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."

A PSP version of the title is due this autumn.

[Maximus]

A choice quote from the GAF thread!

Atari shot itself, yes, but it will survive. On the other hand, Sony has effectively pissed off gamers worldwide. If Sony thinks this will drive gamers to buy a PS3, or pick it up on PS2, they are SADLY mistaken. Why do this after the game and its release date has been announced for all platforms, and after retailers have begun accepting pre-orders?

This is a video game industry FAIL, and one I won't soon forget. Buying a PS3? Nope, not now. Sony, why don't you try to take that one to the bank, you band of marketing misfits.

Square just shot themselves in the foot.

I don't know how much the rest of you know about Japanese culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in America where you can become successful by being an *******. If you screw someone over in Japan, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.

What this means is the Japanese public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to purchase FFXIII, nor will they purchase any of Square's games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but Square has alienated an entire market with this move.

Square, publicly apologize and cancel FFXIII for 360 or you can kiss your business goodbye.

He missed out being an expert in European culture and asking for a public apology from Atari/SCE, but not a bad effort!

[Goodintentions]

are they quotes from the same person or something ??

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Goodintentions

are they quotes from the same person or something ??

No the Square one is from ages ago... It's just quite similar to the current meltdown that this guy had...

[Goodintentions]

oh gotcha ..

[JonD7]

Awesome!

[talak]

Well, well, well......
This game has been on the balance for so long, but never thought Sony would step up and distribute it. Could this be Sony finally turning around and actually starting to pay for some exclusive deals...

This has got to really annoy some people though and could cause quite a stir with pre-order.

But who cares, give me my PS3 version......

[AikonEnt]

"Sony has effectively pissed off gamers worldwide."

Well they haven't pissed off Playstation gamers. If he means 360 gamers I'm sure Sony will be really cut up about that.

Now which other multi-platformers would we like Sony to sign a last minute distribution deal on which yanks a game from under 360 owners feet. *COUGH* Final Fantasy XIII *COUGH*

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

I never thought I'd see the words "Sony, internal and synergy" used together, without sarcasm...but I like it.

[Marine Mike]

This is definately a shocker.

I guess this means that I'll be purchasing this game in comparison to renting it.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Stephie_is_a_dork

I never thought I'd see the words "Sony, internal and synergy" used together, without sarcasm...but I like it.

Hey, I never thought I would get to say those words seriously!

Sir Howard, I bow down to your greatness...

[xtop]

can't say i ever saw this one coming..and a psp version! madness

[caliblue15]

Sony owns the Movie... Atari needed a publisher with money.. Sony Executive now runs Atari... Atari needs help... Atarit Exec runs to what he knows best.

This isn't surprising at all, and for people going ape shit over it, my god grow up. Ghostbusters is nothing like FFXIII magnitude, yet they are trying to make it seem this way all over the interwebs.

Now I'm not saying its a bad move, which its not really a good move. Maybe they did it because they didnt want ghostbusters to slip from their movie release, and just added exclusitivity because its releasing on BLU-RAY, therefore with both together it sells more.

/end rant on stupid fanboys.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by caliblue15

Sony owns the Movie... Atari needed a publisher with money.. Sony Executive now runs Atari... Atari needs help... Atarit Exec runs to what he knows best.

This isn't surprising at all, and for people going ape shit over it, my god grow up. Ghostbusters is nothing like FFXIII magnitude, yet they are trying to make it seem this way all over the interwebs.

Now I'm not saying its a bad move, which its not really a good move. Maybe they did it because they didnt want ghostbusters to slip from their movie release, and just added exclusitivity because its releasing on BLU-RAY, therefore with both together it sells more.

/end rant on stupid fanboys.

Also last time I checked, Sony didn't care about their competitors.

[fsavoie]

from gamespot:

When contacted by GameSpot, Atari confirmed that the Wii, Xbox 360 and DS versions would be coming "later in the year," but did not offer further details.

So it is not a complete exclusivity... only in a short time

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

Also last time I checked, Sony didn't care about their competitors.

Problem with that, is alot of 360 gamers are potential buyers of the PS3. Its a Win lose situation, and its why I put it the way I did, so it made sense for Sony to do it. If they did it just for exclusiveness, most stupid move ever.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by caliblue15

Problem with that, is alot of 360 gamers are potential buyers of the PS3. Its a Win lose situation, and its why I put it the way I did, so it made sense for Sony to do it. If they did it just for exclusiveness, most stupid move ever.

However I do think its being blown out of proportion as its only a timed exclusive.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

However I do think its being blown out of proportion as its only a timed exclusive.

Yeah but how many times did we get angry for Microsoft doing the same thing. Its a two way street.

[xtop]

a ghostbusters game isn't going to get 360 people to sway either way. more than likely the game is shit anyways

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by xtop

a ghostbusters game isn't going to get 360 people to sway either way. more than likely the game is shit anyways

True.. Max, did Sony pay anything for this, or did they just sign a deal? If they didnt pay anything its a good move, paid = bad move.