Yes It's True, Activision Has No...Ghostbusters Game - Atari Has It!

Almost a year to the day that we got the official press release from Sierra we get one from Atari officially confirming that they are the new publishers of the video game, now set to be released in 2009 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first film.

I have updated the info box at the top of the main video game page with new Publisher, Developer, and Official Documents information/links (this includes the complete version of the new press release from Atari). For the record, the Sierra mini-site and FTP links in the info box will stay as long as they are valid. When they're gone and new pages are created at Atari.com, then I'll update them. I also added links in the Images: Inflatable Stay Puft Appearances area to the pics of him at Knotts Berry Farm last month.

In addition to the new press release, Atari has released two new screen shots, though they're not wildly different from what we've already seen. GameSpot has the best quality copies, so get them there.

Oh yeah, just above the press release on the news page is an article from MTV that explains why Activision chose to drop Ghostbusters and several other games. In short, it's because they can't run them into the ground by constantly exploiting them every year with endless sequels and downloadable content. What's interesting is that almost a year earlier Penny Arcade had a comic about an Activision exec using the word "exploit" to describe the plans they have for their game properties each year, and a public relations guy trying to come up with non-offensive alternatives. I guess Activision has had this exploitive mentality for quite some time now. In other news...

Master Replicas' Ghostbusters site is now active. There's not much there, except for a giant Flash applet. When you click on it, many Slimers keep coming at you. Click on them to take a four question quiz about ghosts (unrelated to the movie's ghosts). For the answers, highlight the hidden text below.

1. Anne Boleyn
2. The Haunted
3. A Great Dane
4. The Crying Old Baby

Sadly, the prize for getting all four correct isn't so great. It's simply the press release that Master Replicas posted on their site on Halloween.

Initial Product Announcement

-Ghost Trap Limited Edition 1:1 scale with lights, sounds and other features. ETA: Spring 2009

-Proton Pack Limited Edition 1:1 scale with lights, sounds and other features. ETA: Fall 2009

Other products will be announced shortly. This is only the beginning!

This line is still very much in development and our "scientists" are currently hard at work on the actual processes involved in bringing these screen icons to life. We have already had direct access to original artifacts in the Sony archive and as always with Master Replicas, authenticity and accuracy are paramount and it's important that we get the detail just right. Make sure to come to this site often for exclusive updates, development pictures/videos and much more! You can also follow current conversations and keep up with fellow Ghostbusters fans on our forum at www.masterreplicas.com

Finally, the Internet Movie Database has, yet again, put up a page for Ghostbusters 3, this time proclaiming a release date of 2010. I've lost count as to how many times they've had a Ghostbusters 3 page over the past 10 years. It's because of their page that the original 1998 DVD release of The Blues Brothers (and from what I've heard, the original DVD release of Blues Brothers 2000 as well) lists Dan Aykroyd as starring in "Ghostbusters 3" in 1998! (see screen shot below) Anyone want to take bets as to how long it stays up this time?