Atari to publish Ghostbusters on Xbox 360

By Robert Purchese Published 6 May, 2009

Other versions still safe, we're told.

Atari has told Eurogamer that the non-PlayStation versions of Ghostbusters - DS, PC, Wii and Xbox 360 - are still alive and will be delivered "later in the year".

That delay is collateral to Sony announcing publishing rights to Ghostbusters on PS2, PS3 and PSP. The two home console versions will arrive as timed exclusives on 19th June, and the PSP game will follow in the autumn.

Atari US will still publish all versions of the game this summer, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (58) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Monkey_Puncher #1 3 years ago

    Yeah one of the Microsoft rep people just said it's a timed exclusive, I can wait, just hope the game is good.

  • ObiChrisKenobi #2 3 years ago

    Timed exclusive ain't too bad at all, still plenty of other games to play. If it comes out in September I'll use the ol' Birthday card on the missus :D

  • jmg123 #3 3 years ago

    I'll be picking it up for my PS3 on launch day. Though I feel for the 360 owners out there, timed exclusives suck, I was so annoyed by rockband in the uk that I shan't bother to buy it. Timed exclusives pi$£ off the majority of consumers that don't have both a 360 and a ps3 and I doubt they generate much more money than normal release times.

  • myiagros #4 3 years ago

    i absolutely agree with jmg123. timed releases are bad for everyone.

    People without all platforms get annoyed at having to wait. No more harware gets sold as people wait out the delay, and the second release suffers due to less or no maketing.

  • Wastelander #5 3 years ago

    Weird time to go for an exclusive. Summer is quiet I suppose so they could be counting on that.
    They have to be wary that delaying it until Xmas or whenever might even play right into MS and Nintendo's hands sales-wise.

  • peteb #6 3 years ago

    Atari US will still publish all versions of the game, we're told.

    So it is just the European versions, meaning the Xbox 360 US version isn't delayed. Better be region free!

    Of course, this also probably means that the extra time for the European 360, Wii and DS versions won't be spent on making them nicer.

  • IneptPercy #7 3 years ago

    £300 to get the game earlier with no AA... I'll wait thank you.

    As it is I want it on the PC so waiting for games is nothing new to a PC gamer.

  • peteb #8 3 years ago

    @CountFapula

    Just done some checking and both Alone in the Dark and Race Pro were region free so looks likely (unless theres some additional stipulation from Sony that says it should be Region locked).

  • muscleblade #9 3 years ago

    Good news.

    I hope this really is the case. I dont mind the delay. Plenty of games i want are coming out in a few weeks time anyway.

  • cyacomini #10 3 years ago

    I'll wait for the acheivement-tastic 360 version please.

    trophies suck sweaty baws.

  • Xerx3s #11 3 years ago

    Just curious, how many people where actually looking out for this? Isn't this just another film tie-in?

  • GiarcYekrub #12 3 years ago

    I want this for 360, hurry up with a concrete date that I can give you my money Atari

  • Goodfella #13 3 years ago

    Well, it's not just another film tie in.

    The storyline is all new and has been especially written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Not to mention voice acted by them and Bill Murray.

  • Linkified #14 3 years ago

    Xbox 360 timed exclusives make sense as they have a higher userbase than the ps3, not the other way round. Fuck it atari i ain't buying this you disgust me phil h.

  • Skeletor #15 3 years ago

    "later in the year" = How dissapointing...fuck you very much, Atari EU!

  • muscleblade #16 3 years ago

    "So it is just the European versions, meaning the Xbox 360 US version isn't delayed.
    Of course, this also probably means that the extra time for the European 360, Wii and DS versions won't be spent on making them nicer"

    It also means i wont buy it. Unless its amazingly good.

  • pinhead #17 3 years ago

    Balls. Oh well good move by Sony.

    I will pick it up on the 360 when it is released later in the year, assuming it is not subsumed by the winter deluge of titles.

  • bad09 #18 3 years ago

    2nd hand buy now whatever platform. Absolutely terrible behavior!

    I have no problem with exclusives (timed or not) but don't do it like this games industry....

  • byron_hinson #19 3 years ago

    Wasn't the PS3 version supposed to be the better looking one of the two anyway for once?

  • cyacomini #20 3 years ago

    /\

    PMSL

  • byron_hinson #21 3 years ago

    What! What???????

  • BillyBrush #22 3 years ago

    Byron..

    I see you're still struggling with the whole 'xbox ambassador' thing.

    I don't beleive the PS version was supposed to be better at all, have not personally seen anything suggesting either version to be better than the other, but if you want to furnish us with some linkage, be my guest.

  • byron_hinson #23 3 years ago

    It's called sarcasm mate - would have thought as a reader of this site everyone would know about that!

    Onto the subject though - got to say I couldn't care less about it being exclusive or not - in the end its coming out anyway later in the year, and if the PS3 version is good i'll be getting it on that anyway
    Edited by 1 at 06/05/09 @ 14:40

  • Gearskin #24 3 years ago

    Damnit. Oh well, plenty of other stuff out in June.

  • SAH1977 #25 3 years ago

    Even as a PS3 owner this isn't on so close to release, what's more I don't believe 360 games are region free, so importing isn't an option.

  • byron_hinson #26 3 years ago

    Some 360 titles are region free, just not all like the PS3

  • smelly #27 3 years ago

    Autumn? Sod it. Unless it's the best game ever.. dont think i'll bother, been waiting too long for this.. And I aint getting the (inevitably) inferior ps3 version.

  • ronuds #28 3 years ago

    "I'll be picking it up for my PS3 on launch day. Though I feel for the 360 owners out there"

    You don't have to. PS3 owners can keep this one, for all I care. :p

    I'm actually surprised this didn't happen sooner, seeing as Sony owns some sort of rights to the name. I'm also surprised they chose this game to pay extra money for.

  • Quint2020 #29 3 years ago

    WHAT!!?

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #30 3 years ago

    @ ronuds
    By all accounts the game's shaping up quite nice though. It's certainly on my very slim 09 must-have list (there's this, Brutal Legend, ODST, and, erm...).

    I think this has happened because Sony own the film, and wanted to promote the FILM more: hence the big Blu Ray launch, 25th anniversary, etc. I just hope it means that future GB games don't end up as Sony exclusives; but then again, they own the Spider-Man film rights too, and those are all multi-platform affairs.

  • makeamazing #31 3 years ago

    This was done out of spite and nothing else

    Yes and GTA and Fallout 3 DLC only available from MS, means good business sense only, not spite. Its a business decision the same as your beloved MS business decisions.

  • bad09 #32 3 years ago

    GTA and Fallout 3 DLC were exclusive from the start BIG difference....

  • GamesConnoisseur #33 3 years ago

    Agreed that its make business sense, MS does have exclusive agreements but to me MS handles it better by planning it out long in advance and thus consumers would already know what would be exclusive in term of DLC or timed.

    Sony doesnt look good either way, that gamers get aggravated with their 'sly' practices OR dithered far too long WITH their own property?! If it was MS who owned the film they would have made moves long before now!

    Doesnt change that I would wait for X360 version anyway but applauds others who would get GB on PS3 as its their money and their choice. Not for me to say this or that.

    I would certainly be tempted a bit more if the game does have more exclusive contents compared to other version, but now I would suspect Phil at Atari for being non-impartial to the multi platform business but hoped it just a case of Sony being late to decide what to do with their property.

  • makeamazing #34 3 years ago

    As a gamer, i didnt particularly care that MS did a deal for GTA/Fallout3 before hand, that to me makes no difference to someone who really wants the extra content. It means that a portion of gamers may not get to try these products. I love Fallout 3 its only because i dont have the time to play it to conclusion yet (and its been out a while), that Im not too concerned, but there are many out there that who may have completed it ages ago and cant play the DLC.

    At least it seems like it will still be coming to the other platforms in EU, just alittle later, not a big deal really. So I would say yes its close to release, but certainly less worse than stopping it from appearing on the platform at all.

  • Widge #35 3 years ago

    lol@spite!

  • the_dudefather #36 3 years ago

    I can imagine Sony plotting in his basement as he devised this scheme

    'grr I hate that Microsoft with its glorious fanbase and great games, if only I could launch a petty attack at them to make myself feel better...I know! I'll' STEAL Ghostbusters from them then laugh all through the night! that will be the PERFECT plan to get my revenge!'

  • byron_hinson #37 3 years ago

    You should read the Xbox forums - so funny how people who were looking forward to this game suddenly start stating its rubbish,they never wanted it etc - what knobs

  • IneptPercy #38 3 years ago

    "You should read the Xbox forums - so funny how people who were looking forward to this game suddenly start stating its rubbish,they never wanted it etc - what knobs"

    people make me laugh when they do that.

    Personally I never really gets games on release so timed exclusives either way never really bother me.

  • sega #39 3 years ago

    Woah woah woah!!! What's all this!?!? No Sony - don't do it! I will HATE you forever (more so since you killed the bloody Dreamcast!) if you mess this game up for me. You can mess with any other game, I don't care, but not Ghostbusters. I have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for this game and there is no way in hell I'm buying this for the PS3. Not a chance - all you've done is piss me off.

    Infact, Sony, this is the final straw. I'm literally not going to buy any more Sony products - I will go out of my way to not buy any of your TVs, DVD players, I'll ignore Blu Ray as long as I can and I'll also probably mail you some poo. Killing the Dreamcast hurt - this is kicking me when I'm down you heartless corporation you!

  • byron_hinson #40 3 years ago

    and Sony have messed this game up how?

  • SAH1977 #41 3 years ago

    360 owners can't have it both ways, for years that system has had timed exclusives and better first party games, now the PS3 is receiving the better first party games, and in the case of Ghostbusters, a timed exclusive for a highly anticipated game.

    You didn't expect Sony to sit back and let Microsoft have it all their own way did you?
    Edited by 1 at 06/05/09 @ 23:11

  • sega #42 3 years ago

    "and Sony have messed this game up how? "

    Er by delaying it for non-PS3 owners. Did you not read that article up there, daddy?

  • makeamazing #43 3 years ago

    Well delaying it for other platforms hasnt messed the game up at all... just delayed it.... people are so impatient.

    The only thing i would say is that it doesnt really benefit PS3 owners either, its not like we are getting anything extra, so its a shame in that respect.

  • metallicorphan #44 3 years ago

    is there any point on having an international friends list on my 360,i really am getting sick of seeing my friends play all the games i am waiting for that usually means waiting for 6 months or so

  • sega #45 3 years ago

    For the record I never said they'll mess the game up - I said they'll mess it up for ME (as in making me wait).

    So what that means is I am impatient, yes. The game was originally due for release of October last year - it'll be a delay of almost a year for a finished game if it's not relased until Autumn. It's not like it's being in development for this time - it's just sitting waiting for release. First to coincide with the film's 25th anniversary and now even longer because of an exclusive deal.

    I'm a HUGE fan of the movies and I can safely say this is the only game I've properly been looking forward to for the better part of two years now. So I've just heard some bad news about this game I'm really looking forward to and I'm on the internet, the place where people go to rant, so forgive me for voicing a bit of frustration.

  • Thunderbolt #46 3 years ago

    Timed exclusives always piss me off for whatever platform. It's unecessary and as someone said before it just annoy off their customers. I'm not sure the market is there for delayed releases on this game.

    Tell you what Atari as you are saying f**k you to me I will say f**k you to you and buy it second hand.


  • byron_hinson #47 3 years ago

    Atari will be devastated by you buying it 2nd hand.

    Yeah timed exclusives are annoying but MS has been doing it for a while for titles - yet that gets forgotten about here because a lot of those exclusives were not large titles. They struck a deal for Final Fantasy too - but when Sony do it, everyone cries foul, classic. What a bunch of idiots - it's a game and you'll get it a few months after the PS3 release, so where is the big deal.
    Edited by 1 at 06/05/09 @ 22:36

  • makeamazing #48 3 years ago

    You can bet that if the game scores badly that there will be many people who will suddenly appear saying how happy they are it came out on a timed exclusive... so I guess you just cant win :D

  • metallicorphan #49 3 years ago

    its not just the timed releases that piss me off,its the regional releases

    Europe(and Australia actually)..have to wait,and not just for the 360 version but also for the Wii and DS version or the PC version


    dumb move i think,when Atari could do with the money of a worldwide cross platform release

  • Thunderbolt #50 3 years ago

    'Atari will be devastated by you buying it 2nd hand.'

    I imagine they should, as Atari need all the sales they can get to be honest. Also its not a Sony or MS rant as I said before it just the principle.

    All in all, yes its not the end of the world but its a big enough deal for me to get another game instead. Its a pity as I've loved Ghostbusters as a wee un way back in 1984

  • Skeletor #51 3 years ago

    @Quetzaquotl

    [link url=http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3472&p=1
    ]http://ww w.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc...[/link]

    @byron_hinson

    People like you seriously need a brain.

    "They struck a deal for Final Fantasy too - but when Sony do it, everyone cries foul, classic."

    Is it really that hard to see the difference between having something become crossplatform (Final Fantasy) or exclusive from the very fucking beginning (GTA 4 Lost and Damned for example) and hindering a title that is basically ready to ship from being published due to company politics and pure greed?!

    "What a bunch of idiots - it's a game and you'll get it a few months after the PS3 release, so where is the big deal. "

    The big deal is - if you can actually count to twelve you might be able to follow - that they delay a finished product another bloody 5 to 6 MONTHS, and then publish it during the most crowded season, namely Christmas.
    It's Atari's politics here that are to blame, not Sony's.

  • bad09 #52 3 years ago

    "Tell you what Atari as you are saying f**k you to me I will say f**k you to you and buy it second hand. "

    I hear ya Thunderbolt! I'm out completely now, today was the last straw for me TBH. After this, Capcom whoring again, and the Arkanoid scam I (a gamer who has spend quite a lot over the last 27 years) have decided today no new money for the games industry from me.

    Until all this underhand crap is stamped out no DLC - not even full games, no NEW retail. NOTHING. I did it with music before they started giving DRM free and the movie industry still needs to work harder to make me forget no decent download to own services/format wars/silly pricing before I start spending like I used to with them (a LOT of spending!). Now its time the games industry learn a lesson! (I'm aware not EVERY dev/pub is this bad but sorry guys I'm out for now)

    Just 2nd hand only until these dark days pass. Hell maybe I'll get 'em by "other" means for the worst culprits (and still sleep well).

    Sure I'm just one unimportant consumer who won't be missed (as I sure some "smart" person will gladly point out), but a lost sale is still a lost sale and as a consumer I will feel good not to buy!

    Consumer power people!


    Oh and why to people keep saying "so MS do it"....THEY don't!!!!! GB was due NEXT MONTH people!

  • Cappy #53 3 years ago

    Yeah right, tell it to the PS3 owners who wanted Last Remnant, supposedly multi-platform for years but suddenly they're watching the 360 version get released whilst Square Enix have no information of any kind to offer regarding the PS3 version.

  • bad09 #54 3 years ago

    @ lord

    Cheers dude, that looks reasonable that site. PC probably is the place to be from now on, I am starting to look at a nice new PC.

    But for now, I'm not giving anyone ANY money (well except ebay or my local 2nd hand store), It's been bubbling away for a while now with me (as many of you who have read my moanings know) and 3 dodgy dealings in one day yesterday just pushed me to far.

    I'm just too annoyed at the way things are going in this industry right now to spend money (I've been spending less on current gen as it is) and instead of the loving games I'm looking at these companies thinking "w**kers!", so because of the bad ones everyone misses potential sales from me for now.

    Like I said though, when I do cool down and give them money again I may go PC only as I'm really sick of MS and (ESPECIALLY) Sony right now so thanks for the gamersgate tip!


  • dingo75 #55 3 years ago

    Personally I never really gets games on release so timed exclusives either way never really bother me.

    Same. I learned a few years ago that waiting for a couple of weeks gives you bargains on almost every game (at least on the PC).
    Despite Blizzard games and Collector's Editions that I might want I never pre-order anything every again.
    I have plenty of games to play so I can wait until the price drops.

    Bonus of different regional releases: Someone else will take one for the team if the games sucks and you are warned beforehand. Also you can import a PC game from the US without any problems (PAL / NTSC does not apply) in case you absolutely want it asap!

  • Widge #56 3 years ago

    I'm also now waiting for the magic £20 mark for games after last year. £17 for Fallout 3, £10 Assassins Creed, £17.50 Motorstorm PR... I paid near to full price for stuff like LBP, Valkyria and Eternal Sonata. I mean its worth it to me in the end, but 2x games for the price of 1. Can't ignore that. Freebie tshirts, promo demos can't swing me anymore!

  • Lamb #57 3 years ago

    Well thats a bit naff considering its only a month away from release day. Are you sure about your facts? Play has it slated for the same day on both systems. Anyway I tend to wait to buy the games at a more reasonable price and Fallout 3 is so consuming. Take your time I say.

  • Lamb #58 3 years ago

    The narrators voice over is terrible though. Hardly dramatic or even laughable.

    http://ww w.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/402...
    Edited by 1 at 07/05/09 @ 20:51