Terminal Reality frustrated by Ghostbusters merry-go-round

Ghostbusters: The Video Game developer Terminal Reality has expressed frustration at publishing deals that have seen the game passed around to three different companies in the past year.

The developer admitted that it has had no say in publishing or distribution decisions, as the game has been pushed from Activision to Atari, and now Sony in Europe.

"It is not the ideal situation for a developer like Terminal Reality as we really enjoy a collaborative relationship when we work with publishers, so that has had to be rebooted every time the game changes hands," offered Brendon Goss, executive producer at Terminal Reality, speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz.

"As an independent developer that has been in business for 15 years, Terminal Reality has learned the importance of making good partnership decisions when we take a look at what projects we will do. If you would have told me the roller coaster ride we were in for on this project three years ago I would have said that you are crazy and yet here we are," he added.

Although North American consumers can choose from multiple formats on release in June, European fans will only be offered a PlayStation 3 or PS2 SKU, leaving the release of the game on Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PC up in the air.

The game is finished, said Goss, and the Terminal Reality team hopes that the last-minute exclusivity deal with Sony won't spoil consumers reaction to the game when the multiformat titles are released further down the line.

"All I can say from the Terminal Reality perspective is that the game is done on all platforms. We are really pleased with the final result and happy that it is ready for the fans on every platform whenever the decision is made to release it."

He added: "We do not want the consumer to be confused as that can hurt sales. Our hope is that this is a transparent change to the gamer and that the desire to play the next authentic chapter of Ghostbusters is a draw that overcomes any complications."

He also said that the complicated publishing partnerships were a sign of the strain the current economic environment is placing on companies.

"I think it speaks to the impact of the current economic climate that publishers need to be fluid and able to help each other out with business arrangements that allow product to get into the hands of the fans."

As Terminal Reality hasn't been consulted on publishing deals, the team has focused all its efforts on refining the quality of the finished product, said Goss.

"As a developer these distribution decisions are handled far above our level and is not been something that we would have a say in.

"We have just focused on keeping the teams attention on making the best game we possibly can. We are confident that everything is being done to make sure the game gets the support it needs and will be available to Ghostbusters fans around the world."