(19 November 2007 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Consumer Products and Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games in the US, have announced development of Ghostbusters The Video Game.

It is based on the films which were released in the 1980s. To deliver a special gaming experience to the Ghostbusters' fan base around the world, the game will feature the original film cast - Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, back again for the first time in more than 20 years.

Supporting the ghost busting crew are the talents of Annie Potts, Brian Doyle Murray and William Atherton. Equipped with a variety of weapons and gadgets, players will hunt, fight and capture a wide range of supernatural villains in a funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague. Ghostbusters The Video Game, is expected to be released in the latter part of next year.

Like the films Aykroyd and Ramis will return to script and event-driven storyline for the video game that will lead the player through the trials and tribulations of the world's leading
paranormal ghost busting team.

Ghostbusters The Video Game will create an experience and gameplay environment that authentically recreates the time period of the film, expanding the lore and supernatural events that seemingly plague New York City.

Sierra Entertainment president, worldwide studios Martin Tremblay says, "Sierra Entertainment is extremely excited to not only deliver fans, old and new, this next chapter in the Ghostbusters universe, but to allow them inside the universe for the first time. Our collaboration includes working closely alongside the team at Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Terminal Reality and Red Fly Studios. Together we will create the ultimate Ghostbusters experience, full of the characters, ghosts and other paranormal creatures so many have come to adore over the years."

Sony Pictures Consumer Products VP licensing Mark Caplan says, "Ghostbusters is one of Sony Picture's most beloved film franchises. In setting out to develop this property, our criterion was to find a game company who was interested in keeping true and faithful to the Ghostbusters universe that talent and filmmakers had originally created.

"The team at Sierra Entertainment took the time to prove to us they had what it takes. From the moment we green-lit the game, we have certainly seen a lot of passion and commitment coming from Sierra Entertainment and both development teams. We believe fans are going to be impressed with the game's ability to deliver a very authentic Ghostbusters experience, as well as its capacity to expand the Ghostbusters universe that they currently know."