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Activision, Vivendi, Others Pull Out of E3

Zach Lott — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:12:22 -0500

E3 has been much smaller and focused since it became invite-only last year, but things are about to shrink even more, as Kotaku, Joystiq, and Gamespot have all made varying reports that several publishers have decided not to attend this year's show.

Kotaku kicked things off by reporting that Vivendi, Activision, Her Interactive, NCSoft, and id Software are pulling out of E3 this year. Soon after, Gamespot reported that id is attending and that Foundation 9 is joining the list of absent publishers. However, they have since declared id's status to be "unclear." Also, Joystiq reported that RPG behemoth Atlus has dropped out as well.

Vivendi and Activision's decision comes with news that they have dropped out of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which runs E3, leading analysts to speculate that they are unhappy with the orginization's president, Mike Gallagher. He has been criticized for being "less knowledgeable and sophisticated about this industry than Doug [Lowenstein, former ESA president]" by Michael Pachter, an analyst for Wedbush Morgan. Kotaku's other sources agree that Gallagher's actions are involved with the publishers' decision.

However, the other publishers haven't left the organization, with NCSoft telling Kotaku that the decision not attend E3 came from their development cycle and had nothing to do with the ESA.

Foundation 9's decision, according to Gamespot, also has nothing to do with the ESA. "... exhibiting at E3 is just not something that fits with our marketing strategy this year," said a representative for the publisher. The rep also stated that some of their employees may still attend, but that the company is "not investing in the exhibit space."

Also, it was noted by Joystiq that an Activision representative told them that the company will not partake in "official E3 activities," meaning that the company might maintain a "presence" at this year's show. They will also have a non-E3 event on the first day of the show, according to Kotaku.

New Ghostbusters Screenshots

Solomon Lee — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:45:51 -0600

Sierra has published new screenshots of Ghostbusters for the PS2, Wii, DS, PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. The game takes place after the events of the Ghostbuster II movie and is scheduled for a 2008 release.

Hit the link to view more images.

Call Of Duty 5, Guitar Hero IV Confirmed

Solomon Lee — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:42:25 -0600

Following the news of the Activision Blizzard merger, the company has confirmed that, in fact, Call of Duty 5 and Guitar Hero IV are both in development. There are no other details for these upcoming titles at this time.

In addition, other titles in the works include a new James Bond, Tony Hawk, new Dreamworks and Marvel titles and a racing title from Bizarre Creations.

Those who wish to visit the official site can do so here.

Activision, Vivendi to 'Merge,' Blizzard is Activision's Now

Aaron Dunlap — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:46:32 -0600

Activision and Vivendi Game have both announced today that they will be merging to form a new company, Activision Blizzard.

Activision is one of the largest publishers of video games, owning the Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and Tony Hawk licenses. Vivendi Gamess games is one of the smaller, less awesome publishers but owned by Vivendi Universal, a gigantic media company. Vivendi Games owns Blizzard, developer and creator of such cash-factories as World of Warcraft, Warcraft, Starcraft, and has nothing to do with Witchcraft. Vivendi Games also currently owns the rights to not-as-good-as-they-used-to-be Crash Bandicoot and Spyro.

After looking over the press release (linked in PDF format), it appears that this isn't exactly a straight merger.

Activision isn't changing its name to Activision Blizzard.
Quoth the press release: "Under the terms of the agreement, Vivendi Games will be merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision."

Activision Blizzard will be a new company, owned by Activision. They'll be spending $4 billion to buy up 145.6 million of their own shares, using $1.7 billion that Vivendi Games brings to the table from its own shares.

If I've decoded this correctly, I'd say that Activision is actually absorbing Vivendi, and mainly to obtain ownership of Blizzard. Now, instead of Blizzard games being published by Vivendi, they'll be published by "Activision Blizzard." Vivendi Games will probably disappear, though the name and property will be owned by Activision (not by Vivendi Universal, interestingly)

I suppose it's not technically a buyout, if anything I'd say the situation was that Vivendi running out of money but they had the valuable Blizzard crew, so they worked it out so Activision could acquire Blizzard by first taking over Vivendi Games. Business is confusing. Were this a Japanese business transaction, however, it would be infinitely more confusing.

New Ghostbusters Gameplay Details Emerge

Solomon Lee — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:21:45 -0600

Following the news of the Ghostbuster game's multiplayer mode, more information has been gathered regarding the game's plot and environments.

As reported by Gamespot, the game will take place two years after the events of the Ghostbusters 2 movie. The single player mode will feature at least ten levels which includes a haunted graveyard, library cellar, multiplayer coop mode and a variety of minigames.

Regarding the characters, Mr.Stay-Puft and the mysterious librarian from the first Ghostbusters movie will be making a cameo appearance in the game. The title is set for a 2008 release.

Ghostbusters Multiplayer Mode Unveiled

Solomon Lee — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:50:50 -0600

Shortly after Vivendi's announcement that Ghostbusters is being developed for next-gen consoles, new information has surfaced regarding the game's multiplayer mode for the PS2 and Wii versions.

As reported by CVG, the Ghosts vs. Busters multiplayer mode will feature two teams: one as the original team armed with proton packs and suits charged with hunting down the other team of wandering ghosts. In addition, ghost-catching modes will pit players against each other in a timed contest to capture as many ghosts as possible.

The main developer, Terminal Reality, has not provided any details concerning the PS3 and Xbox 360 cooperative play but has commented that it's "under consideration."

First Ghostbusters Media, Teaser Trailer, and Site Now Live

Shiva Stella — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:28:12 -0600

It's Mr. Stay-Puft! Let's make some smores.

Following the official announcement of Vivendi's Ghostbusters title being developed for next-generation consoles, the company has released some images and a very quick teaser trailer of the title. The game's official site has also gone live.

Here's the run down on the plot, excerpted from the site:

The Ghostbusters are back in an all new story penned by the original creators! With Manhattan newly overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, it's up to you to take on the role of a new recruit joining the original film cast of the famous Ghostbusters team. Equipped with a variety of unique weapons and gadgets, you will hunt, fight, and capture a wide range of uncanny phantasms and demons in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.

The teaser trailer and screenshots are provided at the jump.

Update: GameStop currently has a "stop watch sale" (enter code SLIME at check out) being featured for Ghostbusters. Add any version to your cart (see the list here) and score free overnight shipping - assuming you already know that you want the title and what system you want it on. Remember when retailers weren't even taking pre-orders for games?

Ghostbusters Heading to Consoles in Fall 2008

Shiva Stella — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:42:59 -0600

In some interesting nostalgic news of the morning, Variety and other sources have reported that Vivendi Games is working with Sony Pictures to bring the Ghostbusters franchise to the videogame arena.

The first title currently being developed by Sierra is set after the events in Ghostbusters II and will launch in fall 2008. All four Ghostbusters - Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Harold Ramis - will be doing voicework for the title and Aykroyd and Ramis will be producing the storyline.

The deal follows Vivendi's success with Scarface: The World is Yours. Here's an excerpt:

Publisher is particularly optimistic for the chances of "Ghostbusters" because, unlike the young male-targeted "Scarface," it has the potential to appeal to children and adults. Developer Terminal Reality is making a "Ghostbusters" game for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 aimed primarily at the core gamer demographic, while Red Fly Studios is making a version for Playstation 2, Wii and DS designed more for families and casual gamers.