This morning we announced Sony's rather surprising coup when it became apparent that Ghostbusters would become a timed PlayStation exclusive. However, it has now become apparent that it's only exclusive in Europe, with Atari now clarifying that the game will release on all platforms simultaneously in North America.

What this seems to suggest is that European Xbox 360 and Wii fans been screwed over while North American owners are perfectly fine. While I didn't agree before that Sony was being anymore dickish than Microsoft has been in the past, this new information really does strike me as quite douchebaggy. The press release makes no mention of Ghostbusters EVER coming to Europe on anything but a Blu-ray disc and has been called a "special deal" that is "exclusive" to PS3 and PS2.

So there you go. The American Xbox fans who were crying this morning can dry their tears, but if you're in the PAL region, congratulations! You've just been shafted quite hard! 

[Minor Update: Atari has apparently confirmed that European Xbox 360 and Wii owners WILL get the game at some point in the year, but it is a timed exclusive on PlayStation systems until that point.]

NEW YORK, NY – May 6th, 2009 – 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® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows® PC, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ 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®3 system and PlayStation®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-RayTM 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™ (PlayStation®Portable) version of the game is scheduled for worldwide launch in autumn 2009 and will be published in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise, is penned by original Ghostbusters writers and stars Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites many of the original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation. The game’s launch on 16 June 2009 coincides with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s worldwide debut of the original motion picture on Blu-ray Disc™.

In addition to Aykroyd and Ramis, original Ghostbusters Bill Murray, 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 player joins up as a new recruit with the original team, testing a variety of unique equipment and gadgets, to track, wrangle and trap this wide range of awe-inspiring phantasms in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.



For more information about Ghostbusters: The Video Game please visit www.ghostbustersgame.com.