UPDATE: This ONLY pertains to the PAL/European launch of the game. In the United States, all consoles will get their version on June 16th. In Europe, Sony is publishing the game for the PS2 and PS3 on June 19th. So this news applies to only Europe. – Arnold
We've often asked the question at this site: if Microsoft goes around paying publishers for timed exclusivity, shouldn't Sony do the same? The answers are always mixed but today, it seems that Sony has decided to play the MS game, although there is a logical reason behind it.
According to GameZine , Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed a deal with Atari to publish Terminal Reality's Ghostbusters: The Video Game , which automatically makes the game a timed PlayStation 3 exclusive. The logical part? Well, the Blu-Ray re-release of the original film, scheduled for next month, is a Sony Pictures production. Therefore, the PS3 and PS2 versions of the game adaptation will hit in June, while the Xbox 360, Wii, and DS versions will drop some time later this year (the PSP version will come later, too). Um, and should we forget that our good buddy Phil Harrison is now the head honcho at Atari after a long and prosperous career at Sony…? The last update comes from an Atari spokesperson and it's straightforward and simple:
"I can confirm that Sony will publish Ghostbusters on PS3 and PS2 on June 19th, and that the Xbox 360, Wii and DS versions will be coming from Atari later in the year."
So there you have it. If you're a "Ghostbusters" fan and you want to play this game in June, you need a PS3. We've been hearing some good things about this particular title; it's a huge benefit that much of the original cast had a hand in its development. And now that it's a timed exclusive, we're hoping it's worth our time and money. See? Microsoft ain't the only ones who can play this game.
Related Game(s): Ghostbusters: The Video Game
i think this only applies to EU from what i was reading on other sites.
Haha…sweet move, Sony.
I really couldn't compare this event in any reasonable way to how M$ just writes a check for exclusivity, timed or not.
Timing the release of the game for the ps3 with the BD re-releases makes sense. There is a tangible logic in this, although I am sure that Sony will benefit regardless.
Cross marketing within one corporations different branches is far more respectable than paying a developer to keep an item out of a competitors market, just for the sake of it.
This isnt the same as microsofts practices.
Sony entered into a deal with them coz of bluray.
Microsoft pay money to just own these without any input themselves whatsoever.
Does microsoft even have a film studio??…
Last edited by shaydey77 on 5/6/2009 11:09:24 AM
A MS film studio? Perish the thought.
Interesting wording….
"I can confirm that Sony will publish Ghostbusters on PS3 and PS2 on June 19th, and that the Xbox 360, Wii and DS versions will be coming from Atari later in the year."
So, Ghostbusters on PS2 and PS3 will be PUBLISHED by Sony, but the 360, Wii and DS versions will come from Atari. So Sony is sharing the publishing of the game with Atari, it's not Atari publishing the game on Sony platforms, it's Sony acting as publisher.
If it was still Atari doing the publishing on the Sony platforms, I could buy the whole timed exclusivity. But since it's Sony doing the publishing, it sounds more like Sony and Atari are partners jointly publishing a game by a third party developer.
It does only appear to be SCE doing this. Atari are still doing a regular mulitformat launch in the US on the 16th, but only the Sony versions will release in Europe on the 19th.
So now we are the bad guys?
well ben, u was looking for PS3 hate? I think this is a good place to start.
I wonder are there people out there that feel jipped and are saying things like, "Man, I'm not buying the game now. Atari is bias."
You know, similar to what ps fanboys say about the timed exclusives M$ has.
To be honest, it's a valid point. Regardless of the logic/circumstances behind the Blu-Ray and movie launch. It doesn't matter though, I don't buy multi-platform titles on console. They only go to my PC.
Morne
@Morne
Let me guess, on the PC as a downloadble titles perhaps? 😀 Yeah, yeah, I know what you mean I got Fallout 3 the same way, not regretting it at all, Bethesda has screw up ps3 owners with Fallout 3 DLC and patches.
On topic: Every exclusive content Sony has gotten so far is in movie related games (owned by Sony) dont forget Spiderman (exclusive green villain), Batman:AA (exclusive joker) and now a deal to publish GB PS brand in PAL territories.
Kotaku went mental about this, I know a lot of Wii owners are highly anticipating this game. BTW, I hope GB on the psp uses the same cartoon artstyle that Wii's.
@ Raztad – Historically speaking, you'd be correct, but of late, I find myself shelling for the games that I really want, simply for the safety of multiplayer purposes. To date, I've actually spent $130 on GTAIV alone (GTAIV Limited for the PS3, and the PC vers). Fallout 3, while at one point, i was just going to grab it, and 'share', simply out of spite to the company and their DLC BS. I just passed on it altogether, I've no need to play there games, and rather than put myself at risk, I just ignore it. Not like there isn't more out there than just Fallout 3. Crysis, Crysis Warhead, Stalker: Clear Skies, and Far Cry 2 come to mind.
Morne
Ben this applies to PAL land only…
Yeah, this is Europe only. I made an update to the original article.
I wonder whether this has anything to do with a localization delay for the European versions of the game, and the BluRay release coming earlier? Perhaps Sony wishes to go for a more 'global' release and so has taken this step of pushing the PS release of the game ahead to match the movie release?
Aaaah, so that figures. SCEA seems a little slower than SCEE when it comes to what the company needs to do.
Do you guys think they might be planning a special edition with the game and Movies bundled together?
If so that will be huge….