I received in the mail today a package from Atari containing six copies of the new video game, one for every system. I'm forbidden from posting a review until Friday, though I won't have one ready until much later than that as I'm working on something for the site. However, I think that I can safely post scans of the back of the boxes and list the specs contained on them, as that has nothing to do with what's inside the boxes.

In a few days I'll post a little bit of information on the DRM found on the PC version (yes, it has DRM), and some random information on what I found on the PC disc and what the PC's readme file tells you that you need to know before buying that version. It's rather crummy that Atari is forcing the DRM on us PC gamers, while also giving us the stripped down version - no online multiplayer co-op (or any online activities at all!) and no downloadable content for the PC version - while PS3 and Xbox gets it all! Apparently Atari forgets that PC gaming INVENTED those features!

The PC version isn't the only one that loses out on multiplayer. The PS2 version doesn't have the split-screen (or any) multiplayer that the Wii version has. A comparison of the Wii and PS2 boxes proves this, as does IGN's review.]

PLAYSTATION 3

Get Slimed In This Haunting New Adventure.
Battle Stay Puft, Slimer and a host of terrifying new ghosts in an all new adventure written by the creators of the original movies, featuring the voices and likenesses of the original Ghostbusters crew! Use all the newest experimental equipment to control the chaos -- from the free-roaming vapors to focused non-terminal repeating phantoms...and worse!
* Join the original cast as the new recruit, an experimental equipment technician!
* Bust ghosts with upgradable proton pack, powerful ghost traps, and PKE meter!
* Eliminate paranormal threats in online multiplayer co-op!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Includes Special Bonus Content:
* The refurbishment of the original Ecto-1!
* Blu-ray preview and trailer from Ghostbusters movie!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Multiplayer, Leaderboards, Lobbies/Matchmaking, Voice Chat, Trophies, Add-On Content.
* Number of players: 1 (online: 4)
* Required hard disk space: At least 4 GB
* Online: Broadband required
* Supported HD video output: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
* Video output in Full HD 1080p requires an HDMI cable and a 1080p native display with an HDMI input supporting HDCP.
* Headset Compatible
* DualShock 3 Compatible


XBOX 360

Get Slimed In This Haunting New Adventure.
Battle Stay Puft, Slimer and a host of terrifying new ghosts in an all new adventure written by the creators of the original movies, featuring the voices and likenesses of the original Ghostbusters crew! Use all the newest experimental equipment to control the chaos -- from the free-roaming vapors to focused non-terminal repeating phantoms...and worse!
* Join the original cast as the new recruit, an experimental equipment technician!
* Bust ghosts with upgradable proton pack, powerful ghost traps, and PKE meter!
* Eliminate paranormal threats in online multiplayer co-op!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Players 1
* 68KB to save game
* HDTV 480p/720p/1080i/1080p
* Custom Soundtrack
* In-game Dolby Digital
* Online multiplayer 1-4
* Voice
* Co-op 2-4
* Game-content download
* Leaderboards
* Supports Family Settings
Xbox LIVE System Requirements with Xbox 360 system & games: See orange feature icons above for LIVE features beyond Friends and Achievements. In available games, paid subscription required for online multiplayer; some LIVE services and downloads require additional hardware and/or fees. LIVE is not available in all countries, visit www.xbox.com/live/countries for more information. Broadband Internet service, Xbox 360 hard drive or 256 MB memory unit or greater required (sold separately). Hard drive recommended, and is required for some features. Some broadband services may not work with LIVE and performance may vary.


PC

Get Slimed In This Haunting New Adventure.
Battle Stay Puft, Slimer and a host of terrifying new ghosts in an all new adventure written by the original Ghostbusters creators Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Use all the newest experimental equipment to control the chaos -- from the free-roaming vapors to focused non-terminal repeating phantoms...and worse!
* Join the original cast as the new recruit, an experimental equipment technician!
* Bust ghosts with upgradable proton pack, powerful ghost traps, and PKE meter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
OS: Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 or AMD Athlon X2 +3800 *
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive Space: 9 GB free hard disk space
DVD-Rom Drive: Dual layer, 8X speed or faster
Video Card: ATI Radeon X1800-series 512 MB, Intel G45 Express Chipset, NVIDIA GeForce 8400 512MB**
Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
Direct X: DirectX version 9.0c (included) or higher
Input: Keyboard, mouse, or Xbox 360 gamepad
Other: Internet connection required for first-time authentication (connection not required after authentication)
* Dual core processors, such as the Intel Pentium D 805, are not supported.
** Video cards that have only 256MB of RAM are not supported.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
OS: Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or equivalent
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4800 series, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 series or higher video card

Ok, pop quiz. Which of the three realistic versions is getting the shaft? If you said, "PC", you're a winner! Compare the feature list of the PC with that of the PS3 and Xbox 360 and you'll notice that the PC does NOT have: Online multiplayer co-op (or any online activities at all!) and downloadable content, even though a PC game not only is capable of such features, PC gaming INVENTED those features!


WII

Get Slimed In This Haunting New Adventure.
Battle Stay Puft, Slimer and a host of terrifying new ghosts in an all new adventure written by the creators of the original movies, featuring the voices and likenesses of the original Ghostbusters crew! Use all the newest experimental equipment to control the chaos -- from the free-roaming vapors to focused non-terminal repeating phantoms...and worse!
* Join the original cast as the new recruit, an experimental equipment technician!
* Bust ghosts with an arsenal of new equipment and gadgets!
* Eliminate paranormal threats in the co-op campaign mode!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Requires 2 Wii remotes and nunchucks for co-op play. (I think this is what the icon in the upper right corner means.)


PLAYSTATION 2

Get Slimed In This Haunting New Adventure.
Battle Stay Puft, Slimer and a host of terrifying new ghosts in an all new adventure written by the creators of the original movies, featuring the voices and likenesses of the original Ghostbusters crew! Use all the latest experimental equipment to battle the otherworld's spookiest specters -- from the free-roaming vapors to focused non-terminal repeating phantoms!
* Join the original cast as the new recruit, an experimental equipment technician!
* Bust ghosts with upgradable proton pack, powerful ghost traps, and PKE meter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* 1 Player
* Memory Card (for PS2) - 56 KB
* Analog Control
* Vibration Function
* Pressure Sensitive

Ok, pop quiz #2. Which of the two stylized versions is getting the shaft? If you said, "PlayStation 2", you're a winner! Compare the feature list of the PlayStation 2 with that of the Wii and you'll notice that the PlayStation 2 does NOT have the split-screen (or any) multiplayer, even though the PlayStation 2 is capable of such a feature (even online).


DS

From The Creators of The Original Films Comes An ALL NEW Ghostbusting Adventure.
* Use the Touch Screen to blast, wrangle, trap and get bustin!
* Equip your team with an arsenal of the latest Ghostbusting gadgets!
* Drive Ecto-1 to get to your mission on time!
===========================
END OF LIST

THIS IS IT, THIS IS DEFINITELY IT!!

It was twenty-five years ago today, on Friday June 8, 1984 (not June 3rd, as that was a Sunday back then), that U.S. moviegoers first saw the ugly little spud attack, a terrifying dog running wild through Central Park, and a giant marshmallow man take a stroll down the streets of New York City. You have to wonder what those audiences thought when they first saw those spectacular sights and sounds that we Ghostbusters fans now take for granted. The shock, awe, and wonder they must have experienced had to have been amazing.

To help celebrate the momentous occasion, Spook Central has teamed up with the leading producers of Ghostbusters merchandise to give fans a plethora of prizes. Spook Central's Ghostbusters 25th Anniversary Prize Giveaway runs from now until June 22nd, which should be plenty of time for fans to submit their entry (one per person and/or e-mail address).

But that's not all as fans have double...nay, TRIPLE the chance to win something good.

Proton Charging's Ghostbusters 25th Anniversary Prize Giveaway will be running from June 16th through June 26th (the day after my birthday). All you have to do is head on over there, send him an e-mail with the proper subject line, and you're in. Nice and simple.

A little more involving is Ghostbusters Fans' Twitter Contest. For this contest, which runs from June 13th to July 1st, you need to (1) Follow @gbfans on Twitter, (2) Post this on your Twitter: Follow @gbfans for the Latest Ghostbusters News, Trivia, Quotes and More!, and (3) Participate in #ghostbustersfriday by posting your favorite GB quote with: #ghostbustersfriday @gbfans


Since we all can't go back in time to view it at the theater (the obvious back-in-time Land of the Lost pun in relation to that marquee pic up there was not intended), and in case it isn't showing on a big screen near you, I present to you two online viewing options.

• Entire Movie: Theatrical Version (1 hour 45 minutes)
• Entire Movie: TV Version (ABC Broadcast on Jan. 29, 1989 - with commercials, 2 hours)
   This broadcast is "edited for television" and contains all of the alternate footage.

Lots of new official websites have popped up recently. Here's the quick rundown of them.

New Site At Ghostbusters.com!!!
Sony finally just did something with the awesome Ghostbusters.com domain name. It now redirects to http://www.sonypictures.com/merchandise/ghostbusters/, which brings up an awesome new site that was just uploaded within the past hour. About two hours ago it was still File Not Found, and yesterday the domain pointed to the Blu-Ray placeholder page.

[UPDATE - Proton Charging, at virtually the same time as Spook Central, posted about this new site tonight - but with some additional information: As Sony explained to Proton Charging, they will continue to release materials [to Ghostbusters.com] every month for the foreseeable future. Sounds like we'll finally have an official site that won't be a forgotten relic from last century.]

I went through the site completely and it's really good...at first. All of the nice little interactives disguise the fact that there really isn't much there. There are five sections:

• Home Entertainment - The Blu-Ray trailer and links to buy it, the DVD gift set, and the UMD.

• Photos - 61 photos from GB1 and a few from GB2, mostly on-set, and most never-before-seen. This is the real highlight of the site.

• Consumer Products - All GB merchandise currently available. It's nice to have this all in one place.

• Message Board - Finally, an official Ghostbusters message board.

• Newsletter Registration - Just what you think it is.

As I said, the nice things are all of the interactives on the site. Clicking your mouse fires a proton stream, holding it down fires a better one. Hovering your mouse over certain areas does some neat things, and be sure to stay tuned for the RGB ghost cameo in the middle area walking down the alley away from the Shandor building.

Oh yeah, one more thing...hidden in the code on the main page is this text which most people probably won't see since they have the plugin already.




Ghostbusters Is Hiring
GhostbustersIsHiring.com (which redirects to http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/ghostbusters/splash/) is Sony's new site for the 25th Anniversary and Blu-Ray release coming in June. Visitors to the site will be greeted by Harold Ramis, who invites them to participate in a number of activities. The site features a contest that gives you a chance to win a trip to Comic Con 2010 and has a coupon for $5 off the Ghostbusters Blu-Ray. Ghostbusters fans can also submit photos and videos of themselves to become candidates to potentially get hired on as Ghostbusters and have your video appear on BD Live.

An e-mail promoting the new site just arrived in my inbox a few minutes ago. It included these links to some "never-before-seen footage" from the new Ghostbusters Blu-ray coming out on June 16th:
• Blu-Ray Trailer (1:22, 640x360, 13.4 Mb)
• Refurbishing Ecto-1 (2:01, 640x360, 19.4 Mb)
• Dan Aykroyd Meets the Refurbished Ecto-1 (2:08, 640x360, 20.6 Mb)

Video Game Official Twitter & Facebook Pages
The video game is now on Twitter and Facebook. The Facebook page has some new game pics that I've never seen elsewhere (and a few more that are variations of ones I have seen). Here are the new pics that I think are of interest:
• PC/PS3/X360 - Image #1, Image #2, Image #3, Image #4, Image #5, Image #6, Image #7, Image #8, Image #9.
• PS2/WII - Image #1, Image #2.
• DS - Image #1, Image #2.

With the release of the Wii Slime trailer a few weeks back, Has anyone else noticed that the car is "Ecto-1B" in the PC/PS2/X360 version and "Ecto-1" in the PS2/Wii version? And there's two different style license plates, too! That's just great. So if we take the new game as canon, which name do we use?

What appears below are some comparison shots from the Atari Live trailer (12/3/2008) on the left and the Opening Cinematic (4/24/2009) on the right (The first shot of Ilyssa and the guard on the left is from the 3/20/2009 Alyssa Milano trailer). We can see that many changes were made, just in these mere four and a half months. (As the thumbnails on the left have been cropped, please click on the thumbnails and compare the full-size images to each other.)

The game crew made a lot of great changes, as the new images look WAY better than the old ones. Especially well done is the shockwave cloud in the last image and the lighting on the Statue of Liberty on the left of the shockwave. One thing to note in the last two images (old and new) is the lack of the World Trade Center towers. The game takes place in 1991 so they should be there.

Somewhere out there where magazines are sold is the June 2009 issue of the Official Xbox Magazine (it has three different Aliens vs Predator covers featuring either an Alien, a Predator, or a Marine). I say "somewhere" because damn if I can find it. I checked all of the stores near to where I live that sell magazines - Pathmark supermarket, two CVS stores, a 7/11 convenience store, and a mom & pop convenience store - and none of them had it. Pathmark had OXM's special "Zombies" issue, but not the regular magazine. You know, I just don't understand why OXM doesn't sell individual and back issues on their website.

So, if like me, you can't find this magazine anywhere, you'll be happy to know that someone named Pbroy provided the photos below. They're not high-quality scans (which I'd love to have), but they'll get the job done in lieu of the real thing.

NEW YORK, NY - May 6, 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.


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®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.The PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system version and the Wii version are being developed by Red Fly Studios, and the Nintendo DS™ 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) is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE) based in Los Angeles which handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television.

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 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006, over 21.3 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 136.3 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 50 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 20 million accounts have registered to PlayStation Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and over 380 million items have been downloaded.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at www.scee.presscentre.com.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PS3 and PSP are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari:
The Infogrames group, including the Atari brand and the massively multiplayer online game company Cryptic Studios, 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, 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 (Test Drive, Alone in the Dark, V-Rally, My Horse & Me, Backyard Sports franchise, Total Annihilation, Outcast etc.), Cryptic Studios titles (StarTrek Online, Champions Online), publishing properties (Ghostbusters, The Chronicles of Riddick, The Witcher, 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).

© 2009 Atari Europe SASU. All rights reserved.
Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

"GHOSTBUSTERS", The Video Game: © 2009 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS" with the "GHOST DESIGN" is a registered trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS", and "GHOSTBUSTERS 2" movies: © 1984, © 1989 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Game Software excluding Columbia Pictures Elements: © 2009 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.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. © 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.

Dr. Selwyn is an expert in Sumerian and pre-Sumerian cultures, and, along with the Reschler Group, is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on Gozerian mythology. She is currently in New York City serving as supervisor and guest curator for the highly anticipated 'World of Gozer' exhibition opening Thanksgiving weekend 1991 at the Natural History Museum. Gozerian mythology has attracted a wide popular following since the still-unexplained events and attacks that occurred in the city in 1984.

Ilyssa is working late at the museum the night before the opening when a potentially cataclysmic force is unleashed and summons an ancient enemy back to the city. Strange events continue to erupt around her: what secret does she know? It's up to the Ghostbusters to help Ilyssa find the key and stop the forces of evil that threaten the world. That's if they can keep Peter Venkman from hitting on her every three minutes.


Ilyssa Selwin's Personal History
Born to unknown parents Nov 15, 1961, Ilyssa was adopted by Jeremiah and Fabienne Selwyn, anthropologists associated with the prestigious Chicago Institute for Ancient Eastern Studies. Ilyssa spent much of her childhood accompanying her adopted parents to archaeological sites throughout Asia and Europe, and on lecture circuit tours around the world.

She attended the exclusive Selsemme Academy in Kuwait until age fifteen, when her parents were killed in a cave-in. Her academic achievements allowed her to enter the University of Illinois early, and generous scholarships awarded by Trompe Corporation, the Shandor Foundation, and the Chicago Institute funded her education.

Ilyssa earned her first Ph.D. in Anthropology from Columbia University, and her second from University of California, Berkeley in Applied Archaeological Sciences. Like her childhood, she's spent much of her career on digs and giving lectures. The three academic journals she published went largely unread until the Gozerian craze swept New York City in the early 90's.

Ilyssa enjoys traveling, modern painting, French New Wave cinema, is fluent in six languages (two of which haven't been spoken in over four thousand years), plays violin proficiently and is learning the cello. She dislikes abrasive or pushy personalities.


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise and featuring a completely new story, is coming to six game systems on 19 June 2009. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film's original theatrical release, the game reunites original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.

Penned by original Ghostbusters writers Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters: The Video Game brings members of the original cast together 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. Players will have the chance to hunt, wrangle, and trap ghosts in a funny and frightening battle to save New York from its latest supernatural plague.

For more information about Ghostbusters: The Video Game, please visit www.ghostbustersgame.com and for Atari's entire product line up, please visit www.atari.com

LYON, FRANCE – 20 March 2009 – Atari today unveiled Alyssa Milano as the new love interest in the forthcoming blockbuster title Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Alyssa Milano is best known for her roles in long running successful television series "Who's the Boss", "Melrose Place", "Charmed" and most recently "My Name Is Earl" to name a few. Milano joins members of the original cast from the beloved Ghostbusters movies to recreate the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game prides itself in staying true to the Ghostbusters universe, so it just wouldn't feel right if Bill Murray's character, Dr. Peter Venkman, wasn't turning on the charm. In Ghostbusters: The Video Game, he's chasing one in particular: Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn is a smart and sassy archaeologist who doesn't take too kindly to Dr. Venkman's advances.

In the game, Milano's character, Ilyssa Selwyn, is an expert in Sumerian and pre-Sumerian cultures and is visiting New York City as guest curator for the highly anticipated 'World of Gozer' exhibition opening in 1991 at the Natural History Museum. In the story line, Gozerian mythology has attracted a wide popular following since the still-unexplained events and attacks that occurred in the city in 1984. Ilyssa is working late at the museum the night before the opening when a cataclysmic force is unleashed and summons an ancient enemy back to New York City. Strange events continue to erupt around her: what secret does she know? It's up to the Ghostbusters to help Ilyssa find the key and stop the forces of evil that threaten the balance of the universe. That's if they can keep Peter Venkman from hitting on her every three minutes.

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. The other 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.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows, PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo DS in North America on 16 June 2009 followed by worldwide release on 19 June 2009 to coincide with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film's original theatrical release. For more information on Ghostbusters, please visit www.ghostbustersgame.com, and for Atari's entire line up, visit www.atari.com.

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 further celebrate the film's 25th anniversary milestone this year, Sony Pictures Consumer Products has licensed the property for several new commemorative products including: 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 additional replicas touring across Europe. The Blu-ray Disc release of Ghostbusters will see unsurpassed picture and audio quality and advanced new bonus features including Slimer Mode, a picture-in-picture graphical viewing experience, a featurette on the refurbishing of Ecto-1, and more.


About Alyssa Milano
Alyssa has a history of starring in long running successful television series. She most recently starred on the hit WB series "Charmed" for nine years. The series' debut was the highest-rated premiere in the network's history, and continued to be a great success for Spelling and The WB. The show's international appeal has brought it to more than 100 territories around the world, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. She also starred on the Fox cornerstone series "Melrose Place." She began her career on ABC's "Who's the Boss" which aired for eight years. Milano was most recently seen in a recurring role on the hit NBC comedy, "My Name is Earl."

Alyssa's film credits include "Hugo Pool" co-starring Sean Penn and Robert Downey Jr., the Imagine/Universal film, "Fear," and "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star." She also provided a lead voice for Disney's recent sequel to the animated favorite "Lady and the Tramp." She was recently seen as the title character in the Lifetime Original movie, "Wisegal," (which she also produced).


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 PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. The PlayStation2 computer entertainment system version and the Wii version are being developed by Red Fly Studios, and the Nintendo DS 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
Sony Pictures Consumer Products (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).


&copy 2009 Atari Europe SASU. All rights reserved.
Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

"GHOSTBUSTERS", The Video Game &copy 2008 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS" with the "GHOST DESIGN" is a registered trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS", and "GHOSTBUSTERS 2" movies &copy 1984, &copy 1989 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Game Software excluding Columbia Pictures Elements &copy 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.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. &copy 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.

Title:		Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Platform:		PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Windows PC, Wii and Nintendo DS
Release Date:		2009
Publisher:		Atari
Developer:		Terminal Reality (PS3, Xbox 360, PC); Red Fly (Wii, PS2, DS)
Category:		3rd Person Action

MULTIPLAYER OVERVIEW:
Teamwork is what being a Ghostbuster is all about so Terminal Reality have worked with Three Wave Software, a triple-A multiplayer developer, to create an exciting and original multiplayer component in Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms.

Offering gamers the unique opportunity to play as one of the four original Ghostbusters, an option not available in the single player game, the multiplayer is a fast-paced, co-operative experience. Taking place on an average phantom-packed day for the Ghostbusters team, players will work together to contain supernatural phenomena around the city while competing to earn the biggest pay check.

MULTIPLAYER FEATURES:

Unique Multiplayer Features:

• Play as one of the Ghostbusters: Choose to play as any one of the four original Ghostbusters or the rookie;
• Unique Achievements: Players are given scores and ranks for each match that are also applied to their online profile. Difficulty scaling is available according to rank;
• 6 Unique Power-ups: To help players on even the trickiest of jobs, unique power-ups such as the Ghost Shrinker or Ethereal Shield are available;
• Limited Ammunition: To ensure teamwork, players must pick up ammunition for each type of equipment with ammunition levels being shown on the proton pack;
• Unique AI Features: To add another dimension to the hunting, wrangling and trapping experience of being a Ghostbuster, ghosts have unique AI features such as more aggressive behaviour, the power to sabotage traps and the ability to fuse with other ghosts;
• Full VOIP support: Voice support for both Xbox 360 and PS3 allows for easy communication between players.

Two Multiplayer Co-op Game Modes:

• Instant Action: players can test their mettle in a variety of Job Types across a selection of 12 different maps to see if they've got what it takes to be a true Ghostbuster;
• Campaign Mode: players work through one of four different environments busting ghosts to earn cash and upgrade their equipment.

12 maps across 4 themed environments:

• Library
• Streets
• Cemetery
• Museum

Six Unique Job Types:

• Survival: Survive a paranormal onslaught
• Containment: Capture all the ghosts
• Destruction: Eliminate mysterious artefacts to prevent spawning ghosts
• Protection: Protect Egon's devices
• Thief: Save the artefacts from being stolen by ghosts
• Slime Dunk: Dunk the most Slimers

Online Multiplayer Features: Up to 4 players

• Leaderboards and player statistics: have you got what it takes to be the world's greatest Ghostbuster?
• Ranking: Skill and rank based matchmaking is available.
• Most Wanted Ghosts: these ghosts appear are special ghosts that appear mid game based on the experience of the current players - it's your job to trap them all.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise and featuring a completely new story, is coming to six game systems on 19 June 2009. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film's original theatrical release, the game reunites original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.

Penned by original Ghostbusters writers Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters: The Video Game brings members of the original cast together 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. Players will have the chance to hunt, wrangle, and trap ghosts in a funny and frightening battle to save New York from its latest supernatural plague.

For more information about Ghostbusters: The Video Game, please visit www.ghostbustersgame.com and for Atari's entire product line up, please visit www.atari.com

Last night I held a special 20th anniversary live online video broadcast of Ghostbusters, as originally broadcast on ABC on January 29, 1989. The video was streamed live from my VCR, with chat services provided by AJ Quick via his Ghostbusters Fans chat room. I was very happy with the turnout - we topped out at 77 viewers, with the chat room receiving 114 people at different times throughout the two hours (I personally saw 69 people about halfway through) - though being my first live online video broadcast, the first hour did not go as smoothly as I would have liked. I've learned from the experience, so if I ever decide to do it again - June would be a good time don'cha think? - it should go MUCH better next time.

Immediately below you will find some screen captures I did of the event. The thumbnails link to 1024x768 PNG images. AJ has given me the chat log from the event, so you can read the LONG two-hour transcript on page 2. As you read it, you'll understand why we, as a group, should NEVER get together and do a live audio commentary for the movie.

8:01 PM EST - Viewer Window	8:04 PM EST - Broadcast Window	8:10 PM EST - Viewer Window
8:23 PM EST - Viewer Window	8:28 PM EST - Viewer Window	8:40 PM EST - Viewer Window
8:51 PM EST - Viewer Window	9:02 PM EST - Viewer Window	9:28 PM EST - Viewer Window
9:32 PM EST - Chat Window	9:56 PM EST - Broadcast Window	9:59 PM EST - Chat Window
10:05 PM EST - Chat Window

Some people, especially those who couldn't attend last night's broadcast, wanted to know if the video would be available for later viewing. I'm a little hesitant to put up the entire video for on demand viewing as I don't want to anger Sony, but I'll take a chance and see what happens. I'll eventually put the new ABC promo and alternate footage on the site.

Pages: 1· 2