I want to apologize for the lack of updates. As many of you know, I have been plotting, planning and prototyping a new version of the site for over six years with very little to show.
For the last month or so, I decided to sit down (in my very limited spare time) and start implementing a new platform, which will serve as the foundation of the new site. I am happy to report that things are going well. Instead of relaunching the site as GBN 2.0 from day one, I decided to take a more incremental approach. In the next few weeks, you will begin to see the new site take shape. It will start off very small (new blog, message board and some new features). As the weeks continue, you will start to see the site flesh out and morph into my long-standing vision of Ghostbusters.net 2.0.
Thanks to a co-worker, I have coined a version of the KISS principle that will help me keep focus on the things that matter and help keep the project moving along: Keep It Simple Spengler.
I hope to do just that. See you all on the other side!
Update (2/8/09): Thanks to Dan Liberg (Ghostbusters.net member Dr. Venkman) for the Ghostbusters Minimates poster he sent to tips [at] ghostbusters [dot] net. Click for higher resolution.
Comic Book Resources has a 5-page preview of the new issue of Ghostbusters: The Other Side, which is available at your local comic shop today. I just picked mine up after walking several snow-laden Chicago blocks to get it. Go, now!
Writer Keith Champagne and artist Tom Nguyen will complete the series next month with issue #4. There has been talk of future Ghostbusters comics from IDW. I’m not sure if it will be a continuation of the current series or a new series altogether, stay tuned.
What do you think of the new issue of Ghostbusters: The Other Side? Please post your thoughts on the Ghostbusters Message Board. Thanks to Ghostbusters.net member Doctor Venkman for the confirmation.
What do you get when you mash-up one of the most quotable movies with a syncopated beat? A fresh and original remix by Dave Thomas. Truly amazing, very creative!
For all of you who have pre-ordered the Real Ghostbusters Complete Collection DVD set from Time Life, check your email. Many of those who placed pre-orders are receiving notifications that their sets have shipped, while others received a pleasant surprise in their mailbox this afternoon.
I received my advance copy of the DVD set on Friday and it is simply outstanding. I’m working on my extensive review, which will be published here by the end of the week. Until then, please check out the following hands on reports.
Many fans were upset with Activision over their decision not to release Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Lucky for us, Atari swept in and saved the day. The game will be released during Q3 of 2009, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the Ghostbusters franchise.
Given all the drama we’ve had, I thought it would be interesting to look back at the original Ghostbusters video game, which was published by Activision. Originally for Commodore 64 and later published on the Atari 2600 (what irony), Nintendo Entertainment System, and several other platforms, Ghostbusters was a commercial success, despite the questionable game play. In fact, Activision published the majority of the Ghostbusters video games for various systems through the 80’s and 90’s.
In the clip above, Activision co-founder and legendary game designer David Crane (Pitfall, A Boy and His Blob) gives a demonstration of the Ghostbusters video game for the Commodore 64 during the January 21, 1985 episode of Computer Chronicles.
The video game industry has evolved by leaps and bounds since 1985 and Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009) is a great example of how licensed properties should be handled and turned into video games. Hats off to Terminal Reality for all they have done.
