Sony to publish Ghostbusters in Europe, gains timed exclusivity

Sony takes over publishing the upcoming Ghostbusters game in Europe and with it gains timed exclusivity for the PS2 and PS3. The Wii and Xbox 360 versions have been pushed back.

In a strange turn of events, Terminal Reality’s upcoming Ghostbusters game has again moved publisher with Sony picking up the releases but only for the PS2 and PS3 versions and only in Europe.

This now means that Ghostbusters in PAL regions (including Australia) will be a timed exclusive on the PS3 and PS2 with the Wii, Xbox 360 and DS versions heading our way later. Atari is said to be publishing all versions of the game in America.  A PSP version is too on the way, and it’s believed that the Wii, Xbox 360 and DS versions of Ghostbusters will launch in Europe when the PSP version is out later this year.

This is now the third publisher for the Ghostbusters game, the game was originally with Vivendi before the Activision merger but then was dropped as Activision said it couldn’t be exploited enough (their words). Atari then picked up the title in a bid to help the ailing company, but now it seems Atari for some reason can’t publish it and have called in the cavalry. Atari say the move was to “committed to maximising the launch of the Ghostbusters videogame across Europe".

UPDATE: Official word from Atari;

Atari Announces Worldwide Launch Plans for ’Ghostbusters(TM): The Video Game’ – Published by Atari Inc. in North America and Coming to Xbox 360(R), Wii(TM), PLAYSTATION(R)3 system, PlayStation(R)2 system, PC and Nintendo DS(TM) on June 16th, 2009 –

– Coming Exclusively to PLAYSTATION(R)3 system and PlayStation(R)2 system in Europe and PAL Regions on June 19th 2009 Published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

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– PSP(TM)(PlayStation(R) Portable) Version Coming Worldwide Autumn 2009 – NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire/ — Atari, one of the world’s most recognized video game publishers, today confirmed the worldwide launch plans for the highly anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

The title will launch on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows(R) PC, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM) in North America on June 16th 2009 and will be published by Atari Inc. In an exclusive deal for Europe and the PAL regions, the PLAYSTATION(R)3 system and PlayStation(R)2 system versions will launch on June 19th 2009 published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

The launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original film’s theatrical release and the launch of the Blu-Ray(TM) of the classic first movie, benefiting from a worldwide launch and licensing campaign by Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "Ghostbusters: The Video Game is one of our most significant worldwide releases this summer. Through Atari’s North America publishing business and alongside our partners at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, we have a strategically diversified approach to maximize a title of this magnitude on a global basis," said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc.

He continued: "As excitement in the marketplace continues to accelerate around this title and the 25th anniversary of the movie’s release, Ghostbusters’ large and loyal fan base and gamers across North America can play Ghostbusters: The Video Game across all major platforms on June 16." A PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) version of the game is scheduled for worldwide launch in autumn 2009 and will be published in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Source: Gamesindustry