PC Ghostbusters lack of MP explained

By Tom Bramwell Published 18 June, 2009

"Something would have to suffer."

The developers of Ghostbusters have defended the decision not to include multiplayer in the PC version, which came out in the US this month.

"Multiplayer for the PC version of Ghostbusters is something that Threewave and Terminal Reality always wanted to do," Dan Irish, CEO of multiplayer developer Threewave, told Big Download. "However, our focus was on making the console version the best that they could be."

As a result, said Irish, compromises needed to be made elsewhere. "We couldn't do all versions with multiplayer simultaneously with the resources that we had available - there was simply too much to do," he explained. "Something would have to suffer."

Ghostbusters is due out for PS3 and PS2 tomorrow, 19th June, with a PSP version to follow in the autumn and Xbox 360, PC, Wii and DS versions due out later this year - the latter versions having been held up after Sony stepped in to publish the game for Atari at the 11th hour.

Check out our Ghostbusters PS3 review to see how it turned out.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (31) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • lord_jamie #1 3 years ago

    I'm glad that not everyone feels they have to shoe-horn in multi-player. I've always prefered the single player experience and all too often it suffers when the developer feels obliged to tack a multi-player element in.

  • kangarootoo #2 3 years ago

    Ouch. Goodbye thread.

  • Cyclone #3 3 years ago

    Actually they have shoehorned in multi-player modes, at least into the 360 and PS3 versions. They just cut these modes from the pc version to save time and money.

  • tap #4 3 years ago

    They could have tried to shoehorn some sodding resolution into the PS3 version while they were at it.

  • Wastelander #5 3 years ago

    "making the console versions the best that they could be."

    960 X 540?
    Gee, thanks guys.

  • systems #6 3 years ago

    Shouldn't Ghostbusters be 4 player co-op? Aren't you meant to be a team of 4? It all sounds very half hearted to me, but the developers don't exactly have a glowing track record with their previous titles.

    So the PC version has no multiplayer, the PS3 version is upscales 540P and the only version you can drive the Ecto-1 is the DS.

  • roz123 #7 3 years ago

    The thing is, its out now in the USA but isnt out here till october (last time i looked).

  • UncleLou #8 3 years ago

    So the PC version has no multiplayer, the PS3 version is upscales 540P and the only version you can drive the Ecto-1 is the DS.

    Don't forget the time-limited exclusivity in Europe. A showcase how to do everything wrong.

    One to pick up when it hits the bargain bins, if at all.

  • Wastelander #9 3 years ago

    It's a shame the IP is so good and the game's not bad, so it's guaranteed to sell regardless.
    TR really should get shot down in flames for their bullcrap.

  • Skeletor #10 3 years ago

    Not available in European stores + no Multiplayer = open invitation to piracy

  • Widge #11 3 years ago

    Looks like your resources couldn't do PROPER RESOLUTION either.

  • systems #12 3 years ago

    I was going to pick up the PS3 version today until I saw the 540P vs 720P screen comparisons. I only want to play the game once so I might as well have the best for the money. I'm not importing the US version for 40 notes though, so I'll wait for the UK release in the more reasonable 30 notes sort of price range. I've plenty to be getting on with until then.

    I'll still have the Blu-Ray though. I want to hear the proton packs fire up with my new sub woofer.

  • Tzetrik #13 3 years ago

    @cyclone. They're not "saving" money. Games have something called a budget. They are not infinite.

  • TheTingler #14 3 years ago

    Bollocks. The game was ready for release last October. It was only put back to run alongside the anniversary of the film and the blu-ray release this month, for better marketing purposes.

    Something did suffer. The PC version. And the other versions too, by the look of it, just in different ways.

    Oh yes, and we're not getting two-thirds of the versions over here. As you've got so much time before release, obviously you can put that multiplayer back in the PC version, right? And then patch the US version? Right? Right?

    Didn't think so.

  • Wastelander #15 3 years ago

    Basically no-one's happy.

    PS3 gets a technically deficient version, PC gets a big feature cut, and 360 owners don't even get to play the bloody thing at all for months!



  • GamesConnoisseur #16 3 years ago

    540p?!

    Feck it, I m gonna import the game and also as a protest for the 11th hour 59th minute intervention from Sony helped by their ex man Phil Harrison!

    I dont honestly have an issue if this was thrashed out much earlier as Sony's property (the film) but the aggravations of Europeans being excluded when other region dont is not something that sits well with me.

  • Cyclone #17 3 years ago

    @tzetrik

    A budget which originally would have included MP for the PC. When something else, be it a part of the production, or publicity, etc, ran overbudget (or overtime) they scaled back the PC version. They cut features from one version instead of allocating additional resources to the development of that version. I hardly think that it would have taken an 'infinite' amount of money to port and polish code that was already running on two other platforms to a third. So yes they were "saving" money.
    Edited by 1 at 18/06/09 @ 09:55

  • #18 3 years ago

    lol.... hey guys..what do u think about this? just chat with me --I am an open-mineded single girl and I love sports. I want to end my single life by meeting a guy who likes sports too. Let's mingle at the big&tall dating club ___ TallMingle.com _____" which is a popular meeting site for tall singles and admirers!

  • mingster #19 3 years ago

    you want to end your life? umm...
    bbw and tall is this a chubby chasers club?
    Edited by 1 at 18/06/09 @ 10:09

  • skillian #20 3 years ago

    OK, it's annoying if you wanted the game I guess, but if they are really desperate to save some money then that's probably the right decision. I don't think the game would have sold very well on PC, even if it did have multiplayer.

  • penhalion #21 3 years ago

    Didn't even know it had multiplayer. Can't imagine why it would to be honest with you.

  • systems #22 3 years ago

    @penhalion - the clue is in the name. It's called GhostbusterS, not Ghostbuster.

  • dacicus #23 3 years ago

    Don't forget online activation and DVD check, with activation limits and limited installs. They seem to had enogh money to put some heavy protection on the game, but not enough left to actually deliver a finished game to the PC gamers...No, Atari, you won't get my money until you don't drop the current protection scheme. Instead of keeping the PC version longer in production phase, they've decided to cut features. Another game published by Atari on my "Don't buy" list. Frag it, I'll get ArmA2 and Overlord 2. Atari can go and frag themselves.

  • Salaminizer #24 3 years ago

    with the Live stuff one would think they have a good part of it ready... I mean, look at SFIV, Red Faction Guerrilla and a few others. as much as I don't care for GFWLCRAP, it works and they wouldn't need the excuses.

  • makeamazing #25 3 years ago

    Saw this being played last night and it looks pretty nice on the PS3... I wasnt watching it for long, but looks alot of fun.. now just need some time to play it.

  • Kill_Crazy #26 3 years ago

    Looks fine on the PS3. Quite enjoyable too.

  • matrim83 #27 3 years ago

    Well at least they are honest. Not much else you can say thats nice about the situation. :/

  • djed #28 3 years ago

    @matrim

    how can you tell that they're being honest? It's probably all a lie made up by the marketing dept.

  • matrim83 #29 3 years ago

    @ djed

    They came out and said we didnt have the time or money to do it. Sounds simple and reasonable, if thats a lie I wonder how brutal the truth is? Something along the lines of "We didnt do PC MP because strangling stray puppoes took up most of our time.". :p

  • Ryuken #30 3 years ago

    Cheaper price vs DRM, no (coop) multiplayer, delayed release in Europe and way too high system requirements for what the game actually shows.

    In other words: I hope EG has the balls to grind this sucker into the ground when it's released here.

  • TSYNDMonkfish #31 3 years ago

    They have proper screwed up I think.
    Left 4 Ghostbusters would of been so sweet.
    Edited by 1 at 19/06/09 @ 10:51

  • NorUraeus #32 3 years ago

    I got the PS3 version and I have to say that while it is frustrating of course that they cut the resolution it is not something you actually think about when playing. I enjoyed playing it a lot last evening, so if you are a Ghostbusters fan I do recommend getting the game even with the complaints flying around about the resolution.

    While I find comparison videos as interesting as anyone, I think one sometimes need to take a step back and remember that the stuff such videos focus on often will not matter one bit when playing. If I had just played the game without reading any such articles I don't think I would have even thought about the resolution or textures.