Ghostbusters drops off release schedule

Activision Blizzard has issued a new release schedule with several key titles conspicuously absent.

The schedule does confirm the forthcoming release of Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and an Ice Age sequel. There are also references to Prototype and an unannounced title.

All these games were to be published by Sierra before the company was taken over by Activision as part of the recent merger.

Sierra (the artist previously known as Vivendi, by the way) was also set to published Ghostbusters, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand and Brutal Legend - but there's no mention of these on the release schedule. Nor is there any sign of Wet or Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust.

That doesn't mean the games won't ever be released; Activision Blizzard may have decided to sell the rights to other publishers. However, there's no word as yet.

The company has confirmed it will "realign" development staff at High Moon Studios and Radical Entertainment. Massive Entertainment and Swordfish Studios may be sold or closed.

Vivendi Games Mobile and Sierra Online have been declared "non-strategic business units", which doesn't suggest their future looks rosy.

"We are focused on improving efficiency across the combined organisation and are concentrating on businesses where we have leadership positions that are aligned with Activision Publishing's long-term corporate objectives," said Activision boss Mike Griffith. "We have conducted a thorough review of Vivendi Games' brand portfolio and are retaining those franchises and titles that are a strong fit with our long-term product strategy. We are reviewing our options regarding those titles that we will not be publishing."