They're still ready to believe you

April 24, 2009 9:18 AM

The year is 1991. When a Gozer exhibit loaded with artifacts provided by the Shandors opens at the history museum in New York, it's not long before paranormal forces escape and sweep through the city. When the supernatural strikes back, who ya gonna call? Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson reunite for the upcoming Ghostbusters: The Video Game. The opening cinematic that kicks off the story has been released at GameTrailers, while the development teams working on the game discuss the project's origin and direction in a series of blog articles at IGN.

The game also features the return of William Atherton as EPA agent Walter Peck and new character Ilyssa Selwyn voiced by Alyssa Milano as well as appearances from Slimer, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, and the sorrow of Moldavia himself, Vigo the Carpathian.

posted by Servo5678 (65 comments total)

Is it Ghostbusters 2?
posted by teresci at 9:22 AM on April 24 [18 favorites]

yes. yes. yes. yes.

At the last NYC Comic-Con the only booth mobbed during the sedate and mostly-empty professionals hour was the Ghostbuster Video Game booth. Pointing a power pack with your Wii wass like the completion of childhood dreams.
posted by The Whelk at 9:25 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

Technically, they all say "it's ghostbusters 3", but I've heard movie rumors too, so I think that's all hype.

Speaking of hype, they've been pushing the hell out of this game for a long time now. Hope it turns out well.
posted by graventy at 9:26 AM on April 24

Ghostbusters: the Video Game? I remember seeing this on a Commodore 64 in a computer shop in 1984.
posted by acb at 9:28 AM on April 24 [5 favorites]

Ooh it's on Wii? Neat.
posted by Mister_A at 9:34 AM on April 24

There were actually nine older Ghostbusters games, the most recent being a weird cell phone game in 2006 that wasn't worth downloading, apparently.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:34 AM on April 24

Hey it looks like they've come along way. Here is some current footage and here is the tech demo from, I believe back in 2006.

To be honest I'm really, really surprised they haven't tried to push out a Ghostbusters III with Jimmy Fallon, Jonah Hill and Alyssa Milano. I really don't think you could do a Ghostbusters today, there was a surprising amount of drinking, grit and smoking for a mainstream action movie. God I cringe at the thought of Michael Bay camera work tumbling through the streets of Manhattan with two CGI ghosts wrestling.
posted by geoff. at 9:34 AM on April 24

"The game also features the return of William Atherton as EPA agent Walter Peck". Woohoo! Please tell me they'll include the line, "Yes, it's true, this man has no dick."
posted by Geekyblonde at 9:35 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]

Ghostbusters: the Video Game? I remember seeing this on a Commodore 64 in a computer shop in 1984

OAST-MUSTERS!!!
posted by ArgentCorvid at 9:35 AM on April 24 [3 favorites]

And here's a freeware side-scroller, possibly a port/clone of the Sega game? Or you can get a remake of the 1984 Activision game. I'm not sure if they work, so downloader beware.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:39 AM on April 24

there was a surprising amount of drinking, grit and smoking

We watched Ghostbusters a few months ago, and it was shocking how much smoking there was. Every time you see Aykroyd, there's a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Even when he's underneath Ecto-1, working on it.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:39 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]

Several supporting cast members, such as . . . Annie Potts (Janine) have also signed on.

FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by ND¢ at 9:46 AM on April 24 [3 favorites]

Oh man, Ghostbusters is one of those formative movies for me- My weekend chores were all done to the soundtrack, I used a cleaned up for TV version as justification that I should be able to say "pissed" without getting soaped, and I still describe large things in terms of Twinkies. I almost electrocuted myself trying to build my own proton pack in second grade (turns out a flashlight does not need 'more juice' in the form of a hangar shoved into a power outlet to turn into a proton pack).

My wife has never seen it. She tends to fall asleep during movies, so I don't want to watch it with her for fear that her nodding off would spell the end of our marriage.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:48 AM on April 24 [10 favorites]

I am wicked stoked for this video game in a way I haven't been excited about a product since the Ghostbuster's Firehouse. I wish they'd sell the video game with a tub of slime.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 9:48 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

No no no, it isn't Ghostbusters III with those drips - it's Ghostbusters: Origin, a dark, bloody and haunting reboot of the franchise, with Mamet-like dialogue, no jokes, and a dissection of the anguished personal demons that lead the three characters to their line of research. It takes place just before, and concurrent to, the first scenes in the first film.

Starring, let's see, um. Matthew Fox as Dr. Venkman, Jake Gyllanhall as Dr. Ray Stanz, and Justin Long takes a serious turn as Dr Egon Spengler (this is the "Joker" role - the juicy, deranged character that will get all the Oscar nods).

It concerns an undersea, unexplained mass sponge migration.
posted by dirtdirt at 9:50 AM on April 24 [16 favorites]

I'm just like, not a gamer. I've never moved beyond Minesweeper or the Super Nintendo. I have no idea whether this would even run on my machine. But I want it.
posted by anazgnos at 9:50 AM on April 24

piratebowling's sockpuppet: discovered!
posted by greekphilosophy at 10:03 AM on April 24

"Yes, it's true, this man has no dick."

I was discussing with my roommate about how I'd love the choice of playing through with original or TV modified dialogue. So you'd have the choice of, "We came, we saw, we kicked it's ass." Or What a knockabout of pure fun that was!" As well as the choice of "It's true, this man has no dick." Or "It's true your honor, the man is some kind of rodent, I don't know which. What would be even funnier is if the kid-friendlier, more cartoony Wii version had the TV modified dialogue while the Xbox 360 had the "bluer" language (and smoking! Please let there be smoking!)
posted by piratebowling at 10:04 AM on April 24 [4 favorites]

I have no sockpuppets! but I used to OWN that ghostbusters2 tag....ah, better days. I'll drown my sorrow in some stale ecto-cooler, now.
posted by piratebowling at 10:05 AM on April 24

I watched Ghostbusters over and over and over as a child, in that way that only children can enjoy something repeatedly. Years later, I saw it on DVD for cheap, so I took it home and watched it.

...I did not remember there being that many obscenities.
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:07 AM on April 24

Arsenio Hall was the voice of Winston in the Real Ghostbusters cartoon?! My mind is blown.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:10 AM on April 24

HELLS YEAH!
posted by BobFrapples at 10:10 AM on April 24

...I did not remember there being that many obscenities.

And a Ghost blowjob for Dan Aykroyd!
posted by piratebowling at 10:10 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

"ECTO 1B"?
posted by DU at 10:11 AM on April 24

Shit. I may actually buy a Wii because of this game.
posted by emelenjr at 10:14 AM on April 24

I got shivers and tingles watching that. Bonus points for the vintage "Columbia Pictures" logo. Nice stuff.

I need a TV, an XBox, and this game ASAP.
posted by SansPoint at 10:15 AM on April 24

I like how well the game's opening scene mirrors the structure of the opening of both Ghostbusters films in that a paranormal event leads into the theme song and appearance of the "no ghosts" logo as well as the idea that even after several years of producing their own television commercials, the Ghostbusters are still wooden and awkward on camera. And if I may let my inner fanboy peek out for a moment, I have to admit that I did get a chill when the museum guard shined his flashlight on the GOZER sign at the museum exhibit. I can't get my hands on this game soon enough.
posted by Servo5678 at 10:16 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

Shit. I may actually buy a Wii because of this game.

I am seriously considering just using my next check to buy a Wii for this game alone. I can go frugal for a few weeks. It's not like people really *need* food and water anyway.
posted by The Whelk at 10:17 AM on April 24

Just to let you all know, the footage that you are watching that is making you all excited is the xbox360 footage. The Wii will look significantly different. It bums me out I can't have the awesome graphics and the awesome interface at the same time.
posted by piratebowling at 10:20 AM on April 24

Nthing the considering buying a Wii because of this game. I've been thinking about it for a while anyway, but watching Ghostbusters for the first time in a couple of decades a few weeks back, I couldn't believe (a) how much I'd loved this movie and let it go and (b) how entertaining it still was.

I also was reminded how often we played Ghostbusters as kids. This game really seems like it might allow me to answer the eternal question:

Will busting actually made me feel good?

Also I think it's a good idea to buy any video game involving Annie Potts. But YMMV.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:30 AM on April 24

Also I think it's a good idea to buy any video game involving Annie Potts.

Then you are really going to love the Wii version of Designing Women. Although I usually play as Julia Sugarbaker to max my "sass" rating.
posted by DU at 10:34 AM on April 24 [13 favorites]

Nice shootin', Tex!

I'm no gamer either but... I don't want anyone to say that I have no dick. Because, you know, that's a big twinkie.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 10:34 AM on April 24

Wonder if there will be product placement for crystal skull vodka?
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:40 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

No Sigourney, no Beese.
posted by Joe Beese at 10:44 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

This looks completely awesome and I had no idea about it until now. Thanks.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 10:51 AM on April 24

The Wii will look significantly different.

Oh, for fuck's sake. That is some stupid fucking shit right there.
posted by middleclasstool at 10:52 AM on April 24

Yeah, those of you thinking of buying a Wii for this game... wait for a review to make sure the wii version doesn't stink.

I would prefer to play this game on my PC, but if the PC version is a god awful port a la GTA IV and other recent console titles... then xbox it is. Sorry Wii buddy, I'm just not that into you*
(anymore)


*The upcoming punch out seems likely that it will be the final wii game I purchase.
posted by utsutsu at 10:52 AM on April 24

I actually prefer the Wii version graphics. Those xbox graphics are too realistic, if you know what I mean.
posted by Pendragon at 10:56 AM on April 24

June 16, 2009: Many Shuvs and Zuuls will know what it is to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you!
posted by brevator at 11:02 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]

Metafilter: All life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
posted by hifiparasol at 11:08 AM on April 24

Oh, for fuck's sake. That is some stupid fucking shit right there.

Well, presumably the choice is: have similar, but worse, graphics and poor framerate, or have attractive, cartoonish graphics and (hopefully) decent gameplay. I think the Wii game is actually being developed from the ground-up by a different developer, though, so who knows what you'll actually get.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:08 AM on April 24

Also I think it's a good idea to buy any video game involving Annie Potts.

GTA: Corvette Summer
posted by bondcliff at 11:11 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]

Yes, have some.
posted by fusinski at 11:12 AM on April 24 [6 favorites]

June 16th is the same day Ghostbusters II was released, so that's gotta be a deliberate callback. I distinctly remember the teaser posters with that date on them.

Going to see Ghostbusters II on the day it came out was my 10th birthday party, even though my birthday was in July.
posted by anazgnos at 11:23 AM on April 24

I think the Wii version's graphics have their own charm.
posted by JHarris at 11:29 AM on April 24

The Wii will look significantly different.

Rats, I've been thinking about buying one for a while, and that would've pushed me over the edge.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:37 AM on April 24

Not to sound like a salesman, but the Wii is really fun, even when the graphics can't match XBox 360 or PS3. Being able to swing your arms wildly to make something happen on screen is rather fantastic.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:51 AM on April 24

I will only play this if it proves to be most effective to aim for the flattop.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:11 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]

What would be even funnier is if the kid-friendlier, more cartoony Wii version had the TV modified dialogue while the Xbox 360 had the "bluer" language

Oh, the Xbox wouldn't brook no foul language and while they're not as nuts as the Wii, they are crazy like that. XBL forbid me from using "Put a camera in front of a bunch of squares and they flip out!" as a Rock Band motto, and it was only through trial and error that I discovered it was because of the letters p-u-t-a.

It also didn't like "of a bunch" for some reason but I never could figure that one out.
posted by Spatch at 12:24 PM on April 24

I'm seriously disappointed that the "cartoonier" Wii version doesn't try to look like this. Especially Egon's hair.

I'm also a little worried that the Wii trailer appears to show Ray making the Dreamworks Face.
posted by darksasami at 12:48 PM on April 24 [2 favorites]

Needs more Sigourney. And is Rick Moranis in there somewhere?
posted by rokusan at 12:49 PM on April 24

Where the cock is Bobby Brown??
posted by BobFrapples at 1:36 PM on April 24

The blog mentions that they couldn't get Sigourney Weaver or Rick Moranis.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:37 PM on April 24

I debated on whether or not to mention this here (since it is a link to one of my own projects), but it's unique original content, so what the hell. I'm a part of a video gaming discussion podcast called Kombo Breaker, and a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk to one of the Ghostbusters: The Video Game's developers (Glenn Gamble, Senior Artist for Terminal Reality) and pick his brain for an hour about his work on the game and what we can expect to see when it releases.

The Ghostbusters part of the show starts at about 47m:30s and you'll hear all about what Dan Aykroyd thinks of the upgraded design of the iconic proton pack, how the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man fits organically into the game's storyline, the reason for those SHANDOR banners in the game's early museum level, Walter Peck's place in the story, which quips Bill Murray brought to reprising the role of Peter Venkman, why the librarian ghost from the opening scenes of the original film has returned, and even a little about a special edition package that will be available alongside the individual game.
posted by Servo5678 at 1:52 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]

I assumed the Shandor references were to Ivo Shandor, architect and Gozer cultist.
posted by Pope Guilty at 2:29 PM on April 24

"I assumed the Shandor references were to Ivo Shandor, architect and Gozer cultist."

They are. The game is apparently loaded with references and tributes to the franchise as part of the central plot and just for fun on the side. They even went back into the studio vault and are using the original orchestral score recorded for the film in additional to music recorded for the films but left on the cutting room floor.
posted by Servo5678 at 2:33 PM on April 24

Being able to swing your arms wildly to make something happen on screen is rather fantastic.

That's novel for like a couple of minutes, and then I'm like "can I please play this game without having to wildy swinging my arms around?"
posted by P.o.B. at 3:55 PM on April 24

More Peck, huh? Hmm. No disrespect to Atherton, who chewed the scenery with proper gusto, but the Walter Peck character always snapped me right out of the experience. Proton packs, forgotten gods and giant marshmallow mascots I can accept for the sake of narrative, but I'm not physically capable of suspending enough disbelief to accept a Reagan-era agent of Watts' EPA being permitted to actually enforce a regulation. (Now, maybe if the Ghostbusters had been a union shop...)
posted by nicepersonality at 3:57 PM on April 24 [3 favorites]

Thanks for linking to those edited-for-TV clips, piratebowling; I saw the "knockabout" one years and years ago, and have never met anyone who remembers it.
posted by jtron at 5:17 PM on April 24

"ECTO 1B"?

I got an email from a non-mefite, Ghostbusters expert about this comment.

"Also, if you want to explain the Ecto-1B comment, The Ectomobile in Ghostbusters 2 was the Ecto-1A. There have been slight modifications with each design."

And now you know.
posted by piratebowling at 7:10 PM on April 24

piratebowling: "I was discussing with my roommate about how I'd love the choice of playing through with original or TV modified dialogue."

Yippie-ki-yay, Mister Falcon.
posted by WCityMike at 10:17 PM on April 24

This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
posted by rokusan at 10:29 PM on April 24 [2 favorites]

Well, the Lord 'alps those who 'alp themselves.
posted by SPrintF at 1:03 PM on April 25

This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

rokusan, LOL . . . please create a video game so that I can buy it from you for the Wii and PS3.
posted by theredpen at 3:56 PM on April 26

Dan Aykroyd says 'Ghostbusters 3' may start filming in winter
posted by Joe Beese at 8:35 AM on May 20