It's Not Right

[fatrat007]

I am really upset with Atari and Sony for pulling the rug out from those of us who have other consoles, I am sure I am not alone in looking forward to this game more than any other.
I sincerely hope Microsoft and Nintendo challenge this ruling about the game being exclusive to PS owners in Europe, I don't know what Sony are hoping to acheive as it wouldn't make me think about buying a PS3, quite the opposite after this stunt.
I think this will do a lot of damage to Xbox and Atari because this game is destined to be huge and a lot of people will feel cheated because of Sony's actions, especially as it's so late in the day to announce this.
And thankyou Atari for allowing this to happen, obviously it's business, but it leaves a sour taste....I was so looking forward to this because, like many, I grew up with Ghostbusters and no one ever did a game for it, and it looked so good, now I will never get to enjoy it :(

Mark

[kalniel]

I think the fact it's being released on other platforms in NA is an encouraging sign, and we'll just have to wait for more information later about them in Europe.

[mikey2004]

Im majorly pissed off about this aswell, hopefully (but I very much doubt) the xbox360 game wont be region locked in North America, otherwise I will just download the Pc version of the game or get it imported.

Smart way for Atari/Sony to lose money by releasing the game in October/November when Assasins Creed 2, Bioshock 2 and Modern Warefare 2 all come out. Smooth Move

[fizzkid2000]

it really stinks.
we all know the 360 version will be a smoother port than the ps3 version and chances are so do sony.
i also expect them to pull this move wherever they can with other titles.
gonna take some pondering as to what i'm going to do.
if i'm pondering then i'm sure other customers will be also.
if the ps3 release doesn't make alot of noise drawing attention to the 360 version then this move may well have shot the legs out from this title alltogether...

[Diablo_]

A lot of people were surprised this didn't actually happen from the start as Ghostbusters iirc is a Sony Pictures IP is it not? It is I have to say very sly and devious of Sony to do this but then again Europe is their biggest market for the PS3. (the PS3 is winning against the 360 by just over a million I last heard)

[fizzkid2000]

from the outset would have been fair... this is just 7 weeks before it hits the shelves.
devious is a key word there i feel lol.
do you have a ps3 diab?

[Diablo_]

Nope, they give me wind.

[fizzkid2000]

can i have your promo copy of the ps3 version when it turns up then? tonguegre

[mikey2004]

A lot of people were surprised this didn't actually happen from the start as Ghostbusters iirc is a Sony Pictures IP is it not? It is I have to say very sly and devious of Sony to do this but then again Europe is their biggest market for the PS3. (the PS3 is winning against the 360 by just over a million I last heard)

If they are winning then surely they wouldnt have needed to only release it for PS2/3.

This looks like a great game but it is not going to help sell PS3 systems.

[Diablo_]

It might not be a system seller but the joint release of the game plus the Blu-ray anniversary release will sell some especially to avant fans of Ghostbusters. I also think this is Sony's first timed exclusive whereas Microsoft have done it a few times now but people seem to be forgetting this. I'm not saying it's right they've done it but thinking from a Sony side it kind of makes sense (yet maybe not only in Europe and PAL) as Ghostbusters is their thing and they can easily take full advantage of it.

I also don't think we know when the others will come because no doubt part of this exclusive agreement is for that info not to be divulged until a set date/target has passed.

[mikey2004]

People are not forgetting time releases by Microsoft, but at least You are made aware from the start it will be a timed release not with 6 weeks before the game is set to be released and not restricted to Regions.

[Diablo_]

Good point.

[fizzkid2000]

virtua fighter 5 was on ps3 1st don't forget that one.
and it was definitely better on 360.
but that was also an agreement early in development. for a long time we didn't know if 360 was getting the game at all...
but for sure this hasn't happened alot. ms have swiped alot from under sony's nose...

[MrNonads]

I have to say I am dissapointed, had they announced from the start it would be an exclusive then there wouldn't be so many expectant 360 owners upset the plug has been pulled so close to release date. As for hearing it will still be released NTSC for the same console I have just stinks even more. Will it make me avoid the game, no, but I will make sure I only buy a second hand copy so no revenue Atari. I only hope you have made enough from Sony

[kalniel]

I have to say I am dissapointed, had they announced from the start it would be an exclusive then there wouldn't be so many expectant 360 owners upset the plug has been pulled

But it's not an exclusive... :hin:

[MrNonads]

But it's not an exclusive... :hin:

You are right, its not an exclusive, but advertising and pre-release reviews have been given, release dates set. What has changed is the PAL
360 and Wii release dates. I have no problem with exclusives, and i have no problem with organised delayed scheduled releases so you know what is going on. What we have here is possibly SONY setting out the future where Games can be pulled last minute and turned into exclusives or much longer delayed roll outs than we would normally see.
The only loser in this is the customer, if you own a 360 then you'll get the humpt his time, but if you own a PS3, then I expect that the same situation will be heading your way in the not too distant future.
Hopefully Atari read this and take note as the general consensus is bad towards them and Sony and if they think that it doesn't matter, then they maybe ought to look elswhere to peddle their goods.

[fizzkid2000]

why europe only? that i don't understand...
surely this can only generate resentment toward sony?
who cares if they had a right to exploit a loophole - it's just spitefull.
then again maybe they're still smarting over "the lost and damned".

[kalniel]

why europe only? that i don't understand...

The license to sell a game in different parts of the world is a commodity to be traded like anything else. Sony bought the license for publishing in Europe for that amount of time so it's up to them what they release, when. We're still going to see the other versions coming out this year apparently, and the game won't have gone off or anything with the delay. If you had lots of money you could have bought the license and released when you wanted, that's how business works.

[fizzkid2000]

true it's dog eat dog out there but i'm still fairly disgusted they would choose to make this move 6 weeks before the games release. an exclusive at inception is fine.
i'll be avoiding the ps3 version because of this now. probably future dual format games too just to spite them back.
wasn't important which machine i bought it on beforehand.
i can be as fickle as the next billion dollar company tonguegre

[MrNonads]

The problem as I see it, is they are setting a precedent with this game. I am most definately an older gamer but have never seen a mainstream game (after this is not one of a line of racing games, or a game witch characters from italian countries) take from anothers format after it has been reviewed by the mags. You might be happy that it has happened, but this is the first time, and most likely now not the last.
I know the game won't go off or spoil but the concepts, levels and hidden features will, these will be blazened across the net and maybe spoil what should be part of the experience. In fact, this game was originally advertised as the 3rd Ghostbuster film...way to go to restrict the audience.
I guess if this is the way forward then gaming is going to be an expensive place in the future because you will need two or even three consoles to play any of the decent games.

I personally will vote with my feet, and have the conviction to remember these things, yes I will get the game, but may as well wait a little longer and get it second hand.

[Leet_Games_Blog]

Hi all,

I am completely against Atari's decision to allow Sony exclusive access to the rights of the Ghostbusters game release in Europe.


If Atari doesn't change it's mind I'm going to get a petition going and have contacts in the games and media industry who can help me do this.

Who are you gonna call?! I'm calling on you to do what's right!

Regards,
Dom

[Diablo_]

It's been said already the the game will be coming to the other formats later in the year, search MCVUK for the quotes from or even just read a few posts above your own.

Stand down Captain Kangaroo.

[Leet_Games_Blog]

Thanks for the heads up, but my letter still stands. Atari has not yet announced a release date, and I for one don't trust promises made by an "Atari spokesperson."

Signed,
Captain Kangaroo (whatever floats your boat)

[Diablo_]

They probably can't because like most timed releases, a certain date or target must pass or be met before anything can be announced about that which is outwith the exclusivity period.

[kalniel]

If you don't want to believe that Ghostbusters is coming out on other formats then that's your prerogative. However you would be going against information from Atari. For example:

http://www.uk.atari.com/xbox360/packshot/ghostbusters-290.html

[severe]

Congrats guys. You've scuppered any chance whatsoever that I will ever (willingly) purchase a copy of this game. For that matter I'll be thinking hard about any Atari games in future.

If the PS3 exclusive thing had been all regions I wouldn't mind so much. I (vaguely) understand the timed release concept, but as it is I feel you have shot yourselves in the foot with a tac-nuke as far as the fanbase is concerned.

Sony may feel this will prompt a few more PS3 sales; In practice, those with the money for that will already have one, or at least the plans to get one. Those that don't are not about to go into (extra) debt to get the game four months earlier.

Whether they bother to buy it this autumn is another matter, especially considering the likely competition (Bioshock 2/Assasins Creed 2 anyone?). Odds are unless the ongoing (as opposed to on-release) reviews are truly stellar - especially on the gameplay/bugs-or-lack-of front - then response will be somewhat lackluster, at least without some bonus/unique material (aka bribery).

Any unresolved bugs at this stage would be utterly asinin, and any long-term reviews poorer than 'really, really, really' good is liable to alienate all but the most fanatic fans of the films. I doubt there are enough film-fans to make up for the regular games who will utterly hacked off - I like them, but not that much.

Remember that fans may be willing to wait for a game - but only up to a point. I could point to past examples (*cough*D___ N____ F______ *cough*), but it goes double if you know that if you either a) lived in a specific region, or b) could afford a (very expensive) extra console you wouldn't have to.

Neither our patience nor our budget is limitless - and as already mentioned I'll be boycotting this one on principle, and viewing future titles with extreme suspicion.

That said, unless there are some spectacular rabbits to come out of future (2010-2011) hats I would be surprised if there is anything coming up I would usually buy as it is.

Disgruntled (ex-)customer. FOAD.

[Leet_Games_Blog]

Our prayers have been answered.

The game is region-free. You can order an American copy and it will work on European Xbox 360s!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8095205.stm

I just ordered one off Ebay.