- AAA VIDEOGAME BASED ON BLOCKBUSTER GHOSTBUSTERS FILM FRANCHISE LAUNCHES
WORLDWIDE ON SIX GAME SYSTEMS IN 2009 -
NEW YORK, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atari, one of the world's most
recognized video game publishers, announced today the addition of the highly
anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game to its 2009 release schedule. Working
closely with Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. and acclaimed development
studio Terminal Reality, Atari will bring this completely new story to
advanced gaming platforms coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of
the film's original theatrical release. Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based
on the smash hit motion picture franchise, also reunites original cast members
to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established
Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.
"Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a fantastic addition to Atari's global
line-up in 2009," said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames Entertainment,
the parent company of Atari. "The title has built considerable anticipation
and excitement among game fans for its high quality action and all-out mayhem.
There's no more thrilling Ghostbusting experience to be had, short of
building your own proton pack."
"We're thrilled to partner with Atari on Ghostbusters: The Video Game", said
Mark Caplan, Vice President of Licensing-Hardlines for Sony Pictures Consumer
Products Inc. "As one of our studios' most valued film franchises, we wanted
to develop a video game that would be exciting for both new and old fans and
with Atari we have a publisher that fully understands Ghostbusters, and is
committed to producing engaging entertainment that fans will thoroughly
enjoy."
Ghostbusters: The Video Game was penned by original Ghostbusters writers
Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites members of the original cast for the
first time in 20 years. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie
Hudson lend their voices and in-game likenesses to the original story set two
years after Ghostbusters II, with Manhattan once again overrun by ghosts and
supernatural forces. The game also features performances from fan favourites
such as William Atherton (Walter Peck), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz) and Brian
Doyle-Murray (portraying Mayor Jock Mulligan).
Atari will release the Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PLAYSTATION(R)3
computer entertainment system, PlayStation(R)2 system, the Xbox 360(R) video
game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games For Windows(R), Wii(TM)
and Nintendo DS(TM). The launch will also leverage Atari's worldwide
distribution network to maximize the presence of Ghostbusters: The Video Game
around the globe as Sony marks the film's upcoming 25th anniversary. For more
information on Atari's entire line up visit www.atari.com.
2009 also marks the 25th Anniversary of the original theatrical release of
Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II combined to gross over $500
million world-wide at the box office. The film spawned some of the most
memorable comedic catch-phrases and scenes in motion picture history. To
recognize this special milestone, Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc has
licensed the property for several new products to commemorate the anniversary,
including: video games, toys, t-shirts, comic books, prop replicas, and a
theme park attraction. In addition, the original Ghostbusters car (Ecto-1) has
been fully restored with plans for special promotional appearances throughout
the US. And for the first time ever, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will
release Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II on Blu-rayTM disc.
About the Game
When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural
creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous
Ghostbusters team. Developed by acclaimed studio Terminal Reality,
Ghostbusters: The Video Game will make its debut on the PLAYSTATION(R)3
computer entertainment system, Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system
from Microsoft and Windows PC. The PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment
system version and the Wii version are being developed by Red Fly Studios, and
the Nintendo DS(TM) version, in which the player takes the role of one of the
Ghostbusters themselves, is developed by Zen Studios. The PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox
360, Wii, and PC versions of the game are developed using Terminal Reality's
phenomenal proprietary Infernal Engine technology.
About the Film
Ghostbusters, released in 1984, is one of Columbia Pictures' highest grossing
films, spawning a hit sequel in 1989 and three successful animated television
shows. Ghostbusters and its sequel grossed over $500 million world-wide.
Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis,
produced and directed by Ivan Reitman, starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd,
Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as ghost hunters for hire, cleaning up
Manhattan's buildings of slime-spewing spooks.
About Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.
Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. (SPCP), a division of Columbia TriStar
Consumer Marketing (CTCM), is based in Los Angeles and handles the
merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties
in film and television.
Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing is a division of Sony Pictures
Entertainment (SPE). SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA),
a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations
encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production
and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel
investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of
studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and
technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony
Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.sonypictures.com.
About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari:
The Infogrames group, including the Atari brand, is a global producer,
publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market
segments and all interactive game platforms including consoles from Microsoft,
Nintendo and Sony Computer Entertainment, advanced smartphones, Personal
Computers, web and online. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries
through an international distribution network and direct to consumers via
www.atari.com.
Atari's extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises
(Alone in the Dark, Test Drive, V-Rally, My Horse & Me, Backyard Sports
franchise, Total Annihilation, Outcast etc.), publishing properties (The
Witcher, Legendary, Race Pro etc.), international licenses (Dragon Ball Z,
Dungeons & Dragons, Jamie Oliver etc.) and classic games covering the entire
history of the video game industry (Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids etc).
(C) 2008 Atari Europe SASU. All rights reserved.
Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.
"GHOSTBUSTERS", The Video Game (C) 2008 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
"GHOSTBUSTERS" with the "GHOST DESIGN" is a registered trademark of Columbia
Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS", and "GHOSTBUSTERS 2" movies (C)
1984, (C) 1989 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Game Software excluding
Columbia Pictures Elements (C) 2008 Atari, Inc. All rights reserved. All
other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the
Microsoft group of companies.
"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Nintendo DS and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2006 Nintendo.
Windows and the Windows Vista start button are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries and are used under license from owner.
SOURCE Atari
Alissa Bell of Atari, +1-212-726-4217, alissa.bell@atari.com
