Ghostbusters junkies were no doubt crushed when Activision Blizzard opted not to publish Terminal Reality’s game based on the popular franchise. Sierra quickly quelled fears that “Ghostbusters: The Video Game” had been canceled, but confirmed that the title did not have a publisher.

The game was originally supposed to ship this October. However, that release date looks highly unlikely, at this point. It appears that this sentiment is shared by at least one retail chain. Gamestop, everyone’s favorite haven for know-it-all gamers, has apparently decided that it is unwilling to push software that lacks a firm release date. Hit the jump for the details, but try not to weep all over your keyboard. Tears can be quite detrimental to electronic devices.

Gaming site Ripten reported on Saturday that Gamestop’s pre-order program for the Aykroyd- and Ramis-penned title had been nixed.

Though I am prone to believe anything that is posted on the Internet, I decided to put my journalism degree to good use. With cell phone in hand, I set out to reserve my own copy of “Ghostbusters.” Unfortunately, not one of the four stores that I called was willing to lift $5 from my wallet. Confirmation received. Gamestop has ceased accepting pre-orders for the game. The company has also removed the title’s listing from its official site.

I have to admit that I was taken back by the language used to relay the information.
Three employees told me that the game had been canceled. I sat in shock for a few seconds. This information certainly did not mesh with recent comments from Terminal Reality president Mark Randel. The studio boss told videogaming247 in early August that “Ghostbusters will be published.”

When asked for clarification, one Gamestop employee said the game had been canceled because it could not be released without a publisher. It was reported back in late July that Sony Pictures and Activision Blizzard had started shopping the title to possible suitors. According to The Cut Scene blog, Sony Pictures, which holds the rights to the films, might try to negotiate a 2009 release for the game.

This is certainly not unheard of in the industry. Tim Schafer’s “Psychonauts” was completed before Majesco agreed to publish the psychic adventure. High Voltage Software’s “The Conduit,” a promising first-person shooter for the Wii, currently does not have a publisher. I doubt these unrelated titles will calm your concerns, but they do show that a publisher-less title is not doomed to the scrap heap.

With that said, there are four things that you should take from this article. Kindly make your way over to page two.

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