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Ghostbusters

The latest release schedule from Activision Blizzard has just been submitted and there are two glaring absences: Ghostbusters and Brutal Legend. Gamesindustry.biz is reporting that they've been canceled, but let's all just take a deep breath for a moment.

Our sources have received word that Ghostbusters is still in production, so that's some good news. There's still no firm confirmation regarding Brutal Legend, but it had a pretty reasonable amount of hype going and it's hard for me to imagine it has been canned. Doesn't mean it hasn't, but I'd take this all with a very large grain of salt.

If I were forced to speculate (and I am) I'd suspect that this is just something that's been overlooked due to the complexities of the merger between Activision and Blizzard. I've heard stories of an entire studio being forgotten about in the shuffle of paper that's been going on, so failing to mention a couple of projects isn't all that surprising.

Still, I'm going to sleep a whole lot better once we hear that Brutal Legend is still in the works. I'd hate to see Tim Schafer sad.

[UPDATE: We have a quote from the Sierra PR team regarding Ghostbusters: "It is not cancelled and will not be canceled."]

[Via Gamesindustry.biz -- Thanks, Joe!]

 


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43 comments | showing # 1 to 43

king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:41
king3vbo
If Brutal Legend is cancelled, I hope every Dtoider... NAY! EVERY GAMER RISES UP IN ANGER
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:47
-PL-
I really want Brutal Legend, it would be dumb if they canceled it :(
B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:47
B-Radicate
Yeah Ghostbusters was always a rental for me but Brutal Legend looked like a must own. My fingers are crossed in hopes that these rumors are just that, rumors.
Puppy Licks's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:48
Puppy Licks
Brutal legend? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
ReclusiveSpirit's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:49
ReclusiveSpirit
Both games interested me in different ways. I'd hate to see either of them go by the wayside.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:59
ArrestedDeveloper
Brutal Legend can't be canceled by Activision, Double Fine would just have to find a different publisher. Ghostbusters is going to be fine, no way they'll cancel a game that has got so much positive hype throughout it's existence and is being made with the help of all the original talent.
Tet's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 22:59
Tet
Then Gameindustry.biz has no clue what the hell they're talking about. I'm sure they went out and got the original cast of Ghostbusters, had them make a script, paid them to do voicework, started advertising it, then cancel it at this point. It could be total crap and it would still be released to recoup money.
Teta's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:02
Teta
I will kill cats if this is true.
EarthbounderNess's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:03
EarthbounderNess
Reading this news really hit home for me. I work as a QA over at Vivendi, so it's gut wrenching to know that so many games are going to get the boot, along with many of us testers over there.

All I can say is that I really hope Activision wises up and realizes what they're doing. Otherwise the path they're on is the one that leads to the infamy that EA had looming over them a few years ago (And still do to an extent).
NukaCola's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:09
NukaCola
I refuse to believe this.
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:11
covah
Not only am I worried about Brutal Legend, I'm worried about the game WET as well, that game looked cool.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:27
Mxyzptlk
This is bullshit, I don't believe it for a second. There's been tons of very positive hands-on previews for Ghostbusters in the last week, and like ArrestedDeveloper said Activision can't cancel Brutal Legend since they don't own Double Fine. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the game ends up with another publisher, Schafer apparently isn't too happy with the current situation.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:27
Dan CiTi
Brutal Legend NEEDS to come out.
nebones's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:28
nebones
NOT BRUTAL LEGEND QQ
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:28
Necros
URGH

That's terrible news that I hope isn't true in the slightest.
TurboSpaz's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/28/2008 23:45
TurboSpaz
God, Tim Schafer is the Alan Moore of video games.
Skribble's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 00:02
Skribble
I call absolute and total BULLSHIT on this

Ghostbusters and Brutal Legend both have and enormous following, and with good reason. They both look like seriously unique and awesome games, that have had no problems in development to date.
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 00:23
Rifter01
AYYY CHIHUAHUA! NOOO! Cancelling it is the wrong gamble! WRONG I SAY!
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 00:32
Rifter01
Typo.. By 'it' I mean Ghostbusters...

Brutal Legend I can only vaguely remember having something to do with Jack Black (whom I love as an actor/musician) and the cover story in Game Informer (:P) .. But cancelling either one would be a big OUCH!
Technophile's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 00:41
Technophile
Well, here is a official word off the wire.

Via the PRnewswire

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that one title is Ghostbusters.

also, works for Sierra Online :(
Agent Orange's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 01:01
Agent Orange
Let's not forget about the Riddick game and World in Conflict, for those interested.
Agent Orange's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 01:15
Agent Orange
As an aside... I would give this all a bit of time to get sorted because, as has been mentioned, entire studios are getting lost in the shuffle. Plus, in the case of the bigger titles mentioned, another publisher will undoubtedly be willing to pick them up, even if it's Microsoft or Sony for an exclusive. So, don't be too worried... yet.
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 01:17
manasteel88
ok ghostbusters is safe...now somebody at Activision get out there and save Brutal Legend!
TheDespised's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 01:45
TheDespised
It would suck to see a somewhat unique game like Brutal Legend go down the drain.

I would hope that another publisher would see the wisdom in picking this game up.
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 02:47
Im OK
Glad that the Ghostbusters game is still alive though. That would've sucked pretty hard if it'd been canceled.

Still, shit like this is why it's not always a good thing when smaller companies combine together in an attempt to form the Voltron of the game industry, since you'll probably just end up with a lame rip-off Megazord or something instead.
OrangeGoblin's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 03:17
OrangeGoblin
Brutal Legend! Noooooo!
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 04:54
TheToiletDuck
Tim Schaffer is the Joss Whedon of the game world. Poor guy can't catch a break.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 08:11
RonBurgandy2010
If Brutal Legend gets canceled, I simply can't be held responsible for the horrible things I am going to do. Let's just say there will be quite a few less puppies and windows.
Alexradl's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 08:15
Alexradl
What the hell, Activision. I want mah Brutal Legends! Rumors are rumors.
Scientist tz's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 08:39
Scientist tz
Dear Activision:

If you cancel Ghostbusters I will drive to your corporate HQ, bore a hole in your skull and fuck it.

If you release the game and it sucks I will do the same thing but I will purchase a male Lion to fuck your skull instead.

Sincerely:

Scientist.
Shipley's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 08:47
Shipley
I'm really shocked so many people are standing up for Brutal Legend, considering it only had one CG trailer over a year ago, meanwhile Ghostbusters has been playable with a set release date.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 08:55
RonBurgandy2010
@Shipley
It's that we trust the guy who is making it to deliver. Tim Schafer has given us Psychonauts, Grim Fandango, and the Monkey Island series. We believe in him.
SephirothX's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 08:57
SephirothX
I agree with Shipe, I dont really understand the support for a game that has had only one CG trailer from a year ago. I honestly was never excited about Brutal Legend, I felt the game was some attempt to leach off the success of Guitar Hero and Rock Band by using a 'rock-n-roll' approach to it and saying "Hey look at me garage bands im both cool and fun".

Brutal Legend can be cancelled for all I care, I'm more excited about Too Human than I am about Brutal Legend (and that doesnt say much at all).

From all the positives I've seen about Ghostbusters however, Id be angry if it was canceled. It looks like a very promising game and hopefully a game that can break the jinx of bad movie-to-game adaptations (I know Ghostbusters is meant to be a sequel to the two movies, but its still an adaptation none the less).
Lightthrower's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 10:23
Lightthrower
@covah I'm happy that someone atleast remembers WET!
drogaz1's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 10:55
drogaz1
@SephirothX, You should be excited for Brutal Legend since it's being developed by Tim fucking Shafer the guy who created Monkey Island, Psychonauts and Grim Fandango. Even if it isn't being canceled though it's likely that Tim Schafer will find another publisher anyway since I believe he's not to happy about the Vivendi/Activision merger.
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 10:57
Cyberxion
The same people who are crying foul over the possible cancelation of Brutal Legend are the same people who ignored Psychonauts until it hit the bargain-bin.

Say what you will about gamers. They're nothing if not consistent!
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:55
Sharpless
What the fuck is Brutal Legend? Seriously, why is everyone sucking its dick? Ghostbusters obviously won't be cancelled. All hell would break loose, if it was.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 13:19
RonBurgandy2010
@Sharpless
Go play Psychonauts, then you will understand.
dtomek's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 18:36
dtomek
Well considering Day of the tentacle was one of the best games ever created...it'd be pretty sad to see Brutal Legend go. As for Psychonauts I dunno...never been into 3d platformers so I guess I did not help its poor sales one bit.
tekn0ph1sh's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 20:53
tekn0ph1sh
Umm...just preorder the game off their website. If enough people preorder it they almost have to finish the game. Gamestop says that Brutal Legend ships 12/2. Is a 5 dollar returnable gamble worth possibly getting the game made?
moot button's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 20:53
moot button
Give us our Brutal Legend!! Heavy Metal Pikmin FTW!!
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 21:29
Im OK
Hmm... looks like my earlier attempts at posting never went through, for whatever reason.

Anyway, the gist was:

--Haven't heard of Brutal Legend before now. Looks interesting. Tim Schafer being involved bumps up my interest.

--Haven't heard of WET. Chick + guns + sword = meh + yawn. I guess it could be cool, but I'm not going to hold my breath for it.

--Was this "oh noes games are gonna be canceled" thing just an underhanded scheme to gauge and drum up interested in these games by Activision?
Mrjoemama's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 21:39
Mrjoemama
Psychonauts got crapped off by Microsoft back in the day and had to be published by (of all companies) Majesco.

Brutal Legend, eh, who cares. Show me some gameplay before you get me all excited. The simple fact it was "created by"(kind of laughable) one guy Tim Schafer.

I can't possibly be excited to see Jack Black bring his persona over to the game world. The story is umm....who knows? So please don't complain about a game possibly getting canned you know nothing about, minus the creator.
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