There have been rumors abound about some sort of Ghostbusters content in LittleBigPlanet ever since the jerks over at the Playstation.blog started tugging at our heart strings and teasing potential Ghostbusters content in the game. While I don’t actually own LittleBigPlanet (or for that matter, a Playstation 3) I’ve been waiting to see what Media Molecule and Sony have been holding back in the game. Today, the Playstation.blog finally revealed what we knew the entire time- that Ghostbusters costumes were indeed coming to LittleBigPlanet.

Some of you will be disappointed to learn that there aren’t any special levels or packs with this DLC, other than the costumes themselves. You can grab each costume individually for $1.99 off of the Playstation Network, or if bundlin’ makes you feel good, you can go for the full 4-pack of costumes for $5.99, and save yourself a Jefferson.

[via Destructoid]

Harold Ramis, probably most famous as Dr. Egon Spengler from Ghostbusters, was asked to direct the 1993 live action Super Mario Bros. Movie.

“(Producer) Roland Joffe wanted me to direct the ‘Super Mario Bros.’ movie. I took the meeting because I loved the game. I’m glad I said no.”

I wish he had directed it, because I love Harold Ramis. I doubt he could’ve made a great movie out of what had to have been a pretty awful script, but IMDB tells me that the film was directed by four people, so that was probably a pretty huge detractor.

Still, it was a good call, Egon.

Wired via AP

“Greetings fellow paranormal enthusiasts. This is Dan Aykroyd, speaking to you through the miracle of 16-bit voice recording to remind you that your copy of Ghostbusters will be at your local GameStop by tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring in your used games because you’ll receive an extra 30 percent credit for games you trade toward Ghostbusters. Thank you, and see you on the other side.”

You can listen to the actual audio file here courtesy of ProtonCharging.com.

Source: GoNintendo

Ghostbusters fans rejoice! Ghostbusters, once a game thought to have been canceled and thrown out, has finally arrived this week for about every major console (except for PSP). Other than Ghostbusters and maybe Guitar Hero Smash Hits, it’s a pretty slow week for new games. Hit the jump for my pick of the week and the full list of new game releases for this week.

Pick of the Week: Ghostbusters (360/PS3/Wii/PC/PS2/DS)

Xbox 360:

• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits

PS3:

• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits

Wii:

• Big League Sports: Summer
• Diva Girls: Divas on Ice
• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits
• Let’s Tap

PC:

• Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
• America’s Army 3 (Digital Distribution)
• Ghostbusters
• Left Behind: Tribulation Forces – Chapter 2 of The PC Game
• The Hardy Boys: The Perfect Crime

PS2:

• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits

DS:

• Big League Sports: Summer
• Discovery Kids: Parrot Pals
• Diva Girls: Divas on Ice
• Flower, Sun and Rain
• Ghostbusters

Confession time: I’ve never seen Ghostbusters. *ducks*

Still, there are a bunch of films that I haven’t seen, but after hearing the innumerable praises of the film, and liking pretty much any other film Bill Murray’s been in, it seems a bit strange that I haven’t yet seen the film. Of course, if the film is anywhere near the level of impressiveness that the intro for the game is (and I’m sure it’s leaps above), then I’ll have to pick the film up pronto.

Above is the opening cinematic for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, though I assume the Wii version is similar, with a slight stylistic change. It’s not very long, but it’s done extremely well, even using the old 80s Columbia Pictures logo. Ghostbusters: The Video Game comes out June 16th in North America, June 19th in Europe.

Ghostbusters fans should know that Sigourney Weaver portrayed Dana Barrett in both of the two Ghostbusters films. Weaver was apparently approached to reprise her role in the upcoming game, but initially turned it down. However, later in the game’s development, she changed her mind.

Hearing about Bill Murray’s involvement in the project, Weaver decided that she wanted to be part of the game after all. Unfortunately it was too late into development and a different leading lady had already been cast.

While I would have loved to have Sigourney Weaver reprise her role, it’s her own stupid fault for being so wishy washy.

The Weaver-less Ghostbusters: The Video Game hits shelves in June of this year.

If Dr. Peter Venkman is in Ghostbusters III (which is supposedly being penned by scribes from The Office), we’ll have one thing to thank: the Ghostbusters game. Bill Murray, who has previously been notoriously on the fence about a third Ghostbusters flick, has apparently down an about face and says he’s totally down with GBIII, and it’s all thanks to the Ghostbusters game. As reports Aint It Cool News:

He also went on to say that his enthusiasm for Ghostbusers was heightened after recording the voice of Peter Venkman for the video game over the summer. In fact, he said he found himself walking down the street singing the Ghostbusters theme song and then thought people walking around him were going to start yelling at him ‘get over yourself, Bill,’ so he stopped.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News

When Activision and Blizzard merged not too long ago, certain games were in danger of being canned. One of these games was Terminal Reality’s upcoming Ghostbusters game, which Sierra – who is owned by Activision – was set to publish prior to the merger. With its fate now uncertain, Gamestop has started informing customers that they’re canceling all Ghostbusters pre-orders.

Customers who preordered the game have the option of either getting a cash refund or transferring that preorder to another game.

The Ghostbusters game isn’t exactly canceled, but given that it’s in “development limbo,” there’s no solid release date. I would guess that Gamestop is a little wary of letting customers pre-order games that have a release date of “To Be Determined.”

Source: Worth Playing

An article over at The Cut Scene hints that Sony Pictures, the IP owners of a certain Ghostbustin’ franchise, are still very much planning on releasing the Ghostbusters game, but… pretty much didn’t say anything but that.

The Cut Scene got into contact with a Sony representative of some kind (who could be their janitorial union leader for all I know) who stated that they are working “to evaluate various options surrounding the release of the ‘Ghostbusters’ video game.”

Yeah, good times.

They also make mention of the fact that next year (that’s 2009 if you’re not paying attention) is the 25th anniversary of Ghostbusters, and that may factor into what Sony has planned for the title.  Officially, they state that “this has presented [Sony Pictures Consumer Products] with an opportunity to reevaluate the game release marketing strategy to potentially coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original film in ‘09.”

So they may just be delaying the game for better timing, perhaps so the game release coincides with a re-release of the movies on DVD with new special features and commentaries.  I don’t know one way or another, but I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn’t end up on Blizzard’s extensive cutting room floor next to StarCraft Ghost and that WarCraft adventure game.

Source: The Cut Scene

When high profile corporations merge, the innocent are often caught in the crossfire. Unsuspecting developers and PR ninjas can sometimes feel like they have no place to turn. There is one man however, who specializes in the impossible — that man is none other than Kotaku’s Editor-in-Chief, Brian Crecente.

Word hit the street several days ago that Activision’s once proudly touted Ghostbusters title was being dropped by the publisher. Looking to set the record straight, one PR rep (codename: Evil PR Ninja Monkey) decided to take matters into his own hands and send a preview copy (with no embargo date) to Crecente.

We believe that there was also a cassette recording featuring the faint voices of several developers being tortured in the distance, however that cassette likely self-destructed within seconds of Brian listening to it.

Ghostbusters preview code with no embargo date? Clearly Brian’s mission, should he choose to accept it, is to preview the game. Do the right thing BC — the gaming world is counting on you.

Source: Kotaku

It wasn’t long ago that we all questioned Rick Moranis’s decision to turn his back on the Ghostbusters video game. The same game Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd said yes to. The same game so many of us nerds have been looking forward to.

Well, today Activision Blizzard joins Moranis, as they announce their post merger line-up. Ghostbusters (as well as several other games listed at the end of this article) were nixed by the new level 70 (soon to be 80) elite rare spawn perked out mega publisher — Activision Blizzard for short.

Activision CEO, Mike Griffith, stated the following regarding the line-up change:

“We are focused on improving efficiency across the combined organization and are concentrating on businesses where we have leadership positions that are aligned with Activision Publishing’s long-term corporate objectives,”

The new “streamlined” list of games includes Crash Bandicoot, Ice Age, Spyro the Dragon, Prototype, and one yet to be announced title. Ice Age and Spyro the fucking Dragon over Ghostbusters? Are you fucking kidding me?

In all honesty, I find it funny that Activision Blizzard’s focus is now to” streamline” things, when the  two companies had several months to “streamline” their new name, but in the end decided to keep it as lengthy as humanly fucking possible.

Who you gonna call? Not Activision Blizzard, that’s for fucking for sure.

Full list of games cut: Brutal Legend, Wet, Ghostbusters, Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, World at Conflict: Soviet Assault, 50 Cent Blood on the Sand, Zombie Wranglers, Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust, and various Xbox Live Arcade titles.

Source: Gameindustry.biz

After two decades, the upcoming Ghostbusters game is like one of those nostalgic blasts from the past that lies dormant in your subconscious, like a river of pink slime or a hell-hound in your fridge, just waiting to burst out and go “boo” at the slightest provocation. For me, that awakening took place when I heard the familiar sound of a proton pack powering up (”pyoooooo!”), which also serves as the audio cue before loading a mission in the game.

Although I don’t really buy the claim that this is effectively the “third movie”, this is probably as close as we’re ever going to get. Nearly all the voice talent from the Ghostbusters movies are represented in the game, except for gatekeeper Sigourney Weaver and keymaster Rick Moranis. That means you can fully expect wisecracking remarks from Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and Harold Ramis.

Fidelity to the films is the Ghostbusters game’s crucial selling point. From what we’ve seen, this is not a game with the most sophisticated gameplay mechanics in the world. For one, the combat lacks a cover system (when do ghosts really shoot back, anyways?) and the default movement speed seemed a bit sluggish (those packs sure look heavy). Instead, it’s going to be fighting Mr. Stay Puft and assorted ghouls while Bill Murray rants about cats and dogs living together that will get most old-school fans really excited.

We did see a few notable additions, though. Igon, the inventor of the crew, has new toys for you to try out, like using a slime gun to stick objects to the ceiling and walls. Also, the total lack of HUD at this point means that you have to pay careful attention to your proton pack in order to judge your level of overheating and what type of gun you have selected.

Getting to play with the spiritual resonance detector and other Ghostbusters gear that were simply used as props in the movie (or sold as cheap plastic replicas to us children of the 1980s) looks like a lot of fun. The music, visuals, and atmosphere all appear like they’ve stepped right out of the movies, and this game will probably surprise a lot of old GB groupies when it comes out this Halloween.

It’s the late 80’s, early 90’s all over again — and we are loving every minute of it. Here’s to hoping that the latest Ghostbusters game ends up handling as well as the early screens look. Check out the 18 new images after the jump.

123►

Source: CVG

The stark black background of Game Informer’s December cover has been revealed, and it confirms what many of us have been hoping would be true — we will all be “ghostbusting” again in the very near future.

The actors from the original film, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, will be reprising their roles for the upcoming video game. Game Informer states that Akroyd and Ramis will be performing double duty, as the two will apparently also be working together to develop the script.

Oh, and you can forget about the video clip that made its way around the internet several months ago, as Game Informer also informed their readers that the clip and the game are totally unrelated.

The magazine hits store shelves this Friday, and we will be reporting back to you with more information about this game as it becomes available — we ain’t afraid of no ghost.