Switcheroo frustrates Ghostbusters dev

By Games Industry.biz Published 8 May, 2009

Acti then Atari then Sony in a year.

Ghostbusters developer Terminal Reality has expressed frustration at publishing deals that have seen the game passed around to three different companies in the past year, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

The developer admitted that it has had no say in publishing or distribution decisions, as the game has been pushed from Activision to Atari, and now Sony in Europe.

"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," said Brendon Goss, executive producer at Terminal Reality, speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz.

"As an independent developer that has been in business for 15 years, Terminal Reality has learned the importance of making good partnership decisions when we take a look at what projects we will do. If you would have told me the rollercoaster ride we were in for on this project three years ago I would have said that you are crazy and yet here we are," he added.

Although North American consumers can choose from multiple formats on release in June, European fans will only be offered a PlayStation 3 or PS2 SKU, leaving the release of the game on Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PC up in the air.

The game is finished, said Goss, and the Terminal Reality team hopes that the last-minute exclusivity deal with Sony won't spoil consumer reaction to the game when the other versions are released further down the line.

"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."

He added: "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."

He also said that the complicated publishing partnerships were a sign of the current financial strain in the games industry and elsewhere.

"I think it speaks to the impact of the current economic climate that publishers need to be fluid and able to help each other out with business arrangements that allow product to get into the hands of the fans."

As Terminal Reality hasn't been consulted on publishing deals, the team has focused all its efforts on refining the quality of the finished product, said Goss.

"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 team's attention on making the best game we possibly can. We are confident that everything is being done to make sure the game gets the support it needs and will be available to Ghostbusters fans around the world."

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Comments (35) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • rotmm #1 3 years ago

    Refreshingly candid

  • Steroyd #2 3 years ago

    Well whatever you're feeling they both had Bill Murray.

  • NegativeZero #3 3 years ago

    Activision didn't appreciate the product and breaking their publishing agreement off with TR is a good thing. Otherwise we would be seeing Ghostbusters 7 in 2011, set in the Vietnam war with special guests Van Halen and Guitar Hero controller support.

    The whole thing with Sony sweeping in is a complete dick move entirely designed to give them a huge edge in Europe. Atari aren't going to complain, there's probably all manner of back-scratching going on, and Sony will have to pay marketing costs.

  • Bealsy #4 3 years ago

    But I don't want to play Ghostbusters on my bluray player :(

  • Domovoi #5 3 years ago

    We do not want the consumer to be confused as that can hurt sales.

    Too late, it's already a disaster. Sucks that Sony ruined the European sales of your game.

    Anyway, time to find out if the US version of this thing is going to be region free.

  • brooza #6 3 years ago

    As long as the US release is region free, I'll be happy.

    Although with it being Atari, I doubt it will be

  • woodnotes #7 3 years ago

    Pre-emptive damage control for game being shit.

  • bad09 #8 3 years ago

    It must be frustrating for them. The game sold off in the first place, then when the game is good to go, and they are quite proud of it and keen to get it out, Sony and Atari pull this.

    I'm not surprised they are publicly distancing themselves from the whole mess. Tarnished what was a happy event, MORE Ghostbusters!

  • Goodfella #9 3 years ago

    *news just in - Xbox fanboys slag off Sony*

  • neilka #10 3 years ago

    They shouldn't have crossed the revenue streams.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #11 3 years ago

    For the consumer, this move, by Sony, to make the game a Playstation timed exclusive in Europe is an absolute disaster. I can understand what Sony are trying to do here and have some sympathy with the situation, but for those people in Europe who do not own a PS3 or own both a PS3 and Xbox360, this can only generate more resentment toward Sony.

  • paul_haine #12 3 years ago

    /wonders if there will be a PS3 bundled with Ghostbusters 1/2 on Blue Ray plus the game to try and tempt the punters

    /won't be tempted

  • kangarootoo #13 3 years ago

    "It is not the ideal situation"

    I totally get his point, but I tell you what is even less ideal... getting dropped by your first publisher, not being picked up by anyone else, and going out of business.

    Any indie developer getting a game out of the door is on the first rung of the ladder, and its better to at least have a ladder than not. I know this is an article purely about the dev frustration, so it is going to be viewed out of context a little. And I'm sure they are actually quite pleased to be releasing a Ghostbusters game (or they should be at any rate).

  • Lexx87 #14 3 years ago

    Why did you change from roundabout to switcharoo? :p

  • Domovoi #15 3 years ago

    They shouldn't have crossed the revenue streams.

    Best comment ever.

  • GamesConnoisseur #16 3 years ago

    Sony Europe should have just focused on improving the parity of their PSN with other regions as MS have done very admirably instead of getting a timed exclusive that is only good for a short time!

    We ll see if this made any difference in the long run but i really doubt that this is a great payoff as would generate resentments at the nature of the last min and heck even the devs have waded into the argument!

    Fanboys? Not really I would say they are concerned at the bad taste of this being stuck to them and they placed the responsibility where it belonged. Atari Phil Harrison and Sony Europe's Reeve parting gift?!
    Edited by 1 at 08/05/09 @ 10:29

  • GChris #17 3 years ago

    I don't think XBox 360 users have any scope to complain about exclusives - timed or otherwise!

  • IamRegorTtenneb #18 3 years ago

    Exclusives are the only way im ever gonna play my PS3 so im okay with this. Carry on.

  • andywilkie35 #19 3 years ago

    Can't be arsed to plug my PS3 back in for this so looks like I'll save £40, good

  • des #20 3 years ago

    So the game is finished on 360,PC,Wii,DS and it won't be released in Europe anytime soon because of Sony trying to push a blu-ray movie?...lol...stupid

  • Linkified #21 3 years ago

    I feel for your pain Terminal Reality but I have all the current gen consoles and was looking forward to getting me the xbox 360 version. Now I ain't going to buy the PS3 version because all 3rd part games are pretty bad in terms of programmed and running. So I will not get any version, you can blame the tits at SCEE for that.

  • Goodfella #22 3 years ago

    Your loss. The PS3 version should at worst be equal to the 360 version seeing as the PS3 was lead platform.

  • Rubarack #23 3 years ago

    Fingers crossed for a bright side as they tune up the 360 version based on feedback with the PS3 one, ala Overlord.

  • EvilBob_leeds #24 3 years ago

    complete dick move entirely designed to give them a huge edge in Europe

    Which they've poached straight outta Microsoft's play book.

    We ll see if this made any difference in the long run but i really doubt that this is a great payoff

    Yeah. Because MS have had such a poor increase in revenue from moneyhat tactics that they stopped using them long ago. No, wait...

    Piss and moan all you like, but the bottom line is that Moneyhatting has proved a very effective tactic for MS in this generation. And unsurprisingly Sony have noticed this and decided to copy. Bought any timed exclusives? Any 3rd party paid for exclusives? Buy a X360 because you wanted TLaD or the Fallout add-on bits? Then you're part of the reason this tactic has proved so successful and you've only got yourselves to blame. So stop your fucking bitching.

  • GamesConnoisseur #25 3 years ago

    Bitching not on the exclusivity rather then manners of getting in last minute exclusives and regions being included or excluded!

    This is taking to another level but one which is bad for us consumers, I have no issues WHERE exclusives is set out from beginning and where regions know in advance what would be exclusives.

    How do we like it if US gamers get to play but Europeans dont? Fallout and GTA4 is different thing, DLC specifics to a console is bad but not as bad as not getting whole game.

    Region based and close to release... smells!

    Yes MS do have a part but this one is all Sonys!

  • EvilBob_leeds #26 3 years ago

    Fallout and GTA4 is different thing, DLC specifics to a console is bad but not as bad as not getting whole game.

    You are getting the whole game. Later. There's a good chance that PS3 owners won't get the DLC at all, which is clearly much worse than having to wait a bit longer for it.

    And it's not a different thing. It's exactly the same fucking thing. It's moneyhatting - depriving people of a desired game so they'll switch to your platform - and it's ALL BAD FOR CONSUMERS. The only distinction this time around is that Sony have got the publishing rights later and hence done the announcing later. You think MS wouldn't do this given half a chance? Bollocks. You think you lot would be so keen to boycot the game and get on your high horses if it had been MS doing the dirty? Double bollocks. You never have before. You didn't over Rockband. And you won't when, if this stunt proves to be successful, MS do exactly the same thing.

    This is taking to another level but one which is bad for us consumers, I have no issues WHERE exclusives is set out from beginning and where regions know in advance what would be exclusives.

    Yeah I bet you don't. Mostly because you weren't of the recieving end of the shafting before.

    The bottom line is I agree that this sucks. But it sucks no worse than any of the other moneyhatting that's gone on this generation. The only difference is that 360 owners had got their hopes up a bit more, which apparently, for 360 owners, makes it morally indefensible and faaaar worse. You're kidding yourselves.

  • Widge #27 3 years ago

    Did I read once that the PSP version was canned? I believe I've just read that its all go again on the PSP, which is nice!

  • cyber_nicco #28 3 years ago

    I live in America. 360 version, here I come!

  • Pickster #29 3 years ago

    "The only difference is that 360 owners had got their hopes up a bit more, which apparently, for 360 owners, makes it morally indefensible and faaaar worse."

    And all the Sony nutts seem to have forgotten (or are we all to young now) the tricks that Sony pulled off when they got into the market.

    All that has happened this generation is Microsoft have beaten Sony at their own game (fact! - (while Nintendo on the other hand have nuked them both from orbit)).

    Personally, on the topic of Ghostbusters, I was looking forward to it to some extent, but I was never going to get it on release anyway. I don't think this is a significant move anyway to be honest. It will probably have as much impact as the timed exclusive that was UT3.

    I do however feel for the developer, who is sat on a finished product, and will most certainly take a hit in the sales department.

  • EvilBob_leeds #30 3 years ago

    "The only difference is that 360 owners had got their hopes up a bit more, which apparently, for 360 owners, makes it morally indefensible and faaaar worse."

    And all the Sony nuts seem to have forgotten (or are we all to young now) the tricks that Sony pulled off when they got into the market.

    The Playstation was largely built on two exclusives. FFVII which at +/- 2.2 gb couldn't be done on a cartridge, and Tekken which would have been, to say the least, tricky to implement with the limited amount of memory a standard N64 cart offered. But don't get me wrong, I'm not defending moneyhatting, and Sony did a lot of it to gain market leverage with it with the PS1. The big distinction this generation is that while Nintendo and Sony are nurturing 1st and 2nd party studios, MS seem content not to bother. I wish to fuck that rather than spending $50M making on TL&D exclusive to the X360 they'd spent it on Lionhead, Rare and Bungie.

    All that has happened this generation is Microsoft have beaten Sony at their own game.

    THEIR own game? Your own recollection of events is clearly defective. This kind of shit was going on a long time before Sony reached the table, and will go on along time after some eastern hardware manufacturer sees Sony dead and buried and some IT startup kicks MS's metaphorical teeth in.

    while Nintendo on the other hand have nuked them both from orbit

    Yup. And they did it all this generation with a good idea and without any of this under hand moneyhatting shit. A well deserved victory.

    EDIT - Language dialled down for the faint of heart.
    Edited by 5 at 12/05/09 @ 12:54

  • Silvervein #31 3 years ago

    @CountFapula
    I'm sure there will be. I didn't notice any tangible effects of recent pirate bay lawsuit, other than press coverage.

    Anyway. I don't have any consoles, so those news aren't too pleasing. But, region locked or not, getting this title from US shouldn't be a problem. If there is region lock (crazy idea if you ask me) helpful community should provide appropriate patch soon.

  • metallicorphan #32 3 years ago

    i will either port it or wait for an actual EU 360 version....fucked if i am playing on my PS3..damn thing is shite

  • Pickster #33 3 years ago

    @ EvilBob_leeds

    Your analysis of the Playstation rise to fame totally ignors Sonys battle with Sega, and it was this battle which pushed the Playstation brand to success, the N64 came too late to challenge the momentum built up by Sony.

    I think you will find Ridge Racer and Wipout are the true starting blocks of the Playstation success. FFVII carried on from that and launched the system into the Stratosphere.... Sega made their own mistakes but going into this is way off topic.

    We are talking of timed exclusivity. I will point you towards Mortal Kombat 3 (something of a lackluster game - but at the time the brand was big news). Also Sony was really not happy about seeing one of the games that brought them success, Wipout, finding its way onto other platforms.

    Their was plenty of questionable practaces before Sony came to the table, but Sony are the ones that really brought it to the battleground of selling hardware.

    Lets think about this for a moment. What we are talking about is spalshing money about left, right and center, to get deals which will give a piece of hardware an edge in sales. All Sega shoved money at prior to Sony comming to the table was tacky addons and bleeding edge Arcade hardware (and a Bus), Nintendo was too busy trying to squese money from every source possible to be flashing the cash.

    You really think the 'game' manufacturers were playing before Sony thundered its way into the gameing scene was the same as the one Sony brought to the table?

    I agree that the capital spent on L&D probably would have been better spent else where, but maybe they thought two of the three studios you mention were doing well enough to hold their on, and that the third had already had enough green spent on buying it already.... Still Bizarre Creations would have been a fabulous developer to keep under their wing, and the rest of the money could have been spent on starting new projects, or even new teams.

    The one thing I would really like Microsoft to do (and this is getting way off topic again) is to be a bit more relaxed on development, if a product can be better given more time, it should be given more time (within reason obviously). Sony seem to be much better in this department.

  • waggy79 #34 3 years ago

    Evilbob_leeds, your points are valid but then you ruin them by pathetic name calling at people you will never meet. A shame.

  • EvilBob_leeds #35 3 years ago

    I'm failing to see your point there. Sony buy up Psygnosis, who are on the verge of Bankruptcy in 1993. Wipeout and Wipeout 2097 both find their way onto the Saturn, and a Wipeout even finds its way onto the N64. I must've missed the point where Sega knocked out a Sonic around the same timeframe on the PS1.Or even a Sega Rally.

    You really think the 'game' manufacturers were playing before Sony thundered its way into the gameing scene was the same as the one Sony brought to the table?

    Actually the game they had been playing was far nastier for both programmers and players (link to wikipedia) and exclusivity deals were very much on the cards.

    We are talking of timed exclusivity. I will point you towards Mortal Kombat 3

    Yeah Nintendo had already repeatedly done it (see link above). Why do you think it took so long for SFII to surface on the Megadrive?

    I concede the point that Namco and Konami's relationship with Sony did pay dividends, but at the same time I don't think there was open faced Moneyhatting going on - for one thing Sega had a direct competitor to Ridge Racer (Sega Rally) and for another the contracts of the 8 and 16 bit era left, to say the least, a very bad taste in programmers mouths. Also the Saturn, unlike the Dreamcast, wasn't very good.