Dan Arykoyd Announces New Ghostbusters Video Game

According to Ghostbusters news website Proton Charging, Dan Arykoyd has announced that VUE are producing a brand new Ghostbusters video game.

Aykroyd says he’s involved in GB video game.

Touring Canada with Jim Belushi as The Blues Brothers, Dan Arykoyd talked to the Edmonton Sun about a variety of things, one of which includes providing motion capture for a Ghostbusters video game, to be produced by VUE.

As such, he hasn’t much time left for Hollywood. Aside from a role in the Adam Sandler-starring I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, due out later this year, Aykroyd says he’s pretty much done with acting after a fun, 30-plus year run.

He will, however, be revisiting the role of Dr. Raymond Stantz for a Ghostbusters video game.

“Universal purchased the rights from Sony for a game. I’m actually going to have to perform and do some motion capture for them. That will be next year.”

So, apparently VUE is going to publish the game - but does this mean Zootfly is going to be the developer? It now explains why Sony yanked the Zootfly videos from YouTube, but is it a thumbs up or a thumbs down for the Slovenian dev studio?

Big thanks to Chad Kerychuk

Dan Akyroyd Announces An Animated Ghostbusters 3 Possible

According to a recent interview with cisn COUNTRY radio, Dan Akyroyd has announced that he is currently working on a brand new animated Ghostbusters movie. From Toon Zone News:

Dan Akyroyd Announces A CGI Ghostbusters 3 Possible

Speaking in a recent interview with cisn COUNTRY radio, Dan Akyroyd has announced Ghostbusters 3 may finally go ahead as a CGI feature. A third film in the series has long be delayed due to star Bill Murray's wishes. Akyroyd's current script would see the heroes visit an alternate reality version of Manhattan.

[Source:Ain't It Cool News]

According to reports, Bill Murray has agreed to provide a voice in the new Ghostbusters movie.

PlayStation 3 to Launch in the UK on 23rd March 2007

According to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Virtual Press Office, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that PLAYSTATION®3 will be launched in the UK on 23rd March 2007.

25/01/2007 00:01
PS3 to Launch in Europe and Australasia on 23rd March 2007

Over 30 Titles for Launch Period

1 Million units forecast for Initial Launch Period

London, 25 January 2007 - Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 will be launched in the PAL territories of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia on 23rd March 2007 at a price of EURO 599 (GBP 425, AUD 999.95, NZ 1199.95).

Responding to retail and consumer demand, SCEE confirmed that initially only the 60GB model would be available, with the 20GB model to follow later in the year dependent on demand.

An expected one million PS3 units will be made available during the initial launch period.

SCEE also announced a stellar launch line-up of over 30 game titles for PS3, including eagerly awaited titles published by SCEE such as Resistance: Fall of Man™, MotorStorm™, Genji™: Days of the Blade, FORMULA ONE ™ CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION and Ridge Racer™ 7. An exceptional range of titles in every genre will also be available at launch from the world's leading third party publishers, including Electronic Arts, Activision, Namco Bandai, Sega, Take 2, Ubisoft, Vivendi Universal, and Sony Online Entertainment.

In addition to games on disc, an exciting range of fully-featured downloadable games will debut on the PLAYSTATION®Network. These will include gaming icons such as Tekken™ 5 Dark Resurrection and Gran Turismo® HD Concept; the fully-featured PS3 debut of the best-selling franchise Gran Turismo, realised with full HD (1080p) visual quality. Created by Polyphony Digital Inc and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Gran Turismo® HD Concept has been downloaded by more than 350,000 users since it was released in December 2006 in North America and Japan.

Also available on the PLAYSTATION®Network will be brainteasers such as Go! Sudoku and Go! Puzzle, and innovative games such as Blast Factor™ and flOw™, designed exclusively for PLAYSTATION 3 and delivering on the promise to provide original content created by non-traditional developers and publishers.

Concurrent with the European launch, a new System Update to further enhance the entertainment potential of PS3 will be issued.

Announcing the launch details, David Reeves, President of SCEE said, "Following the hugely successful launches of PS3 in Japan and North America, we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring significant numbers of PS3 to the SCEE territories. To be able to launch with over 30 titles across every genre shows that this is our strongest launch line-up in the history of PlayStation, and is what PlayStation fans in Europe have been crying out for."

PLAYSTATION 3 LAUNCH TITLE LINE-UP

PS3 Launch Title - Publisher - Network or Disc based

Resistance: Fall of Man™ - SCEE - Disc

MotorStorm™ - SCEE - Disc

Genji™: Days of the Blade - SCEE - Disc

FORMULA ONE™ CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION - SCEE - Disc

Ridge Racer™ 7 - SCEE - Disc

Tekken™ 5 Dark Resurrection - SCEE - Network

Lemmings™ - SCEE - Network

Go! Sudoku - SCEE - Network

Go! Puzzle - SCEE - Network

Blast Factor™ - SCEE - Network

flOw™ - SCEE - Network

Super Rub'a'Dub - SCEE - Network

Call of Duty 3 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Activision UK Ltd - Disc

Tony Hawks Project 8 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc

Gundam - Target in Sight - Namco Bandai Games - Disc

Full Auto™ 2: Battle Lines - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc

Sonic the Hedgehog™ - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc

Virtua Fighter™ 5 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc

Virtua Tennis™ 3 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc

World Snooker Championship 2007 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc

NBA 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc

NHL 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc

Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWll - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc

Enchanted Arms - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc

The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc

Def Jam: Icon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

EA SPORTS™ Fight Night Round 3 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

NBA Street Homecourt - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

Need for Speed™ Carbon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

The Godfather® The Don’s Edition - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 07 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

Untold Legends™ Dark Kingdom™ - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc

F.E.A.R. - Vivendi Universal Games Intl SA - Disc

Gripshift - Sony Online Entertainment - Network

PLAYSTATION 3 Peripherals Available at Launch Peripheral

RRP in Euros

SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller - EURO 49.99

Blu-ray Disc Remote Control - EURO 24.99

HDMI Cable - EURO 24.99

AV cable - EURO 16.99

Component AV cable - EURO 24.99

S Video cable - EURO 16.99

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact:

Nick Sharples (nick_sharples@scee.net) or Nick Caplin (nick_caplin@scee.net)
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Tel: + 44 207 859 5301(5349) Fax: + 44 207 859 5036

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) software and hardware in 102 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Between its European debut on 24th November 2000 and the end of September 2006, over 42 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 111 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between its European debut on 1st September 2005 and the end of September 2006, over 8 million PSP systems have been shipped across the SCEE territories, with over 22.9 million shipped worldwide since its Japanese launch in December 2004.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at http://www.playstation.com and http://www.yourpsp.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at http://www.scee.presscentre.com.

PlayStation, PSP and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. UMD (Universal Media Disc) is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

FORMULA ONE, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and translations thereof are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One Group Company. Licensed by Formula One Administration Limited, a Formula One Group Company.

RIDGE RACER™7 © 2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. All rights reserved.

For more information contact:

SCEE Press Centre
Email: scee_presscentre@scee.net
Tel:+44 (0)20 7859 5000

Are You Afraid Of the Dark?: Seasons 1 and 2 DVD Set Announced

According to Amazon.co.uk and Sendit.com, Revelation Films will release Seasons 1 and 2 of Are You Afraid Of The Dark? on DVD in the UK (Region 2) on Monday 19th February 2007!

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? - Series 1 And 2

RRP: £19.99

Availability: This title will be released on February 19, 2007.

Product details
Format: PAL
Language English
Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Classification: To be announced
Studio: Revelation Films
DVD Release Date: 19 Feb 2007
Run Time: 780 minutes
DVD Features:
Main Language: English
Available Audio Tracks: Dolby Digital Stereo
ASIN: B000M5KTRM

Synopsis
Popular children's supernatural series originally broadcast on ITV and Nickelodeon in the late 1990s.

Amazon.co.uk and Sendit.com are also taking pre-orders for the Are You Afraid Of the Dark?: Seasons 1 and 2 DVD set.

SWCJ's Blog Upgraded To Blogger Beta!

I've just upgraded my blog to the new Blogger Beta. Seems good so far!

ITV Confirms 'Challenge Anneka' Return

According to a report on Digital Spy, ITV has announced that Anneka Rice is to return after twelve years for a one-off Challenge Anneka special.

The new episode will see Anneka help rebuild a Sri Lankan village which was devastated by the Asian tsunami two years ago.

The team will have to secure donations for everything they need to complete the challenge - from beds to medicine and colouring books - before transporting it thousands of miles across the world. They will then have just five days to transform the village.

"I was stunned when I heard ITV wanted to bring back Challenge Anneka," said Anneka. "Having dragged myself out of retirement, I am now really excited about it. It will be an amazing opportunity to make a difference to thousands of lives."

ITV will use the special to gauge public appetite for the revitalised format and, should it prove popular, may commission more specials in future.

The original series ran on the BBC from 1988 to 1995.

Source - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39028.html.

ITV.com's Challenge Anneka website - http://challengeanneka.itv.com.

Photograph of the new look Challenge Anneka Jeep Wrangler - http://tinyurl.com/y83xfl.

Challenge Anneka opening titles/credits - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxiEFTq1Sc.

Source - http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forum.

Save Kids' TV Campaign Group Lobbies MPs

According to a report on Digital Spy, campaign group Save Kids' TV is writing to the 119 MPs who signed an early day motion calling for a total ban on pre-watershed junk food TV advertising, to persuade them to reconsider.

The group fear a such a ban would harm the industry, with up to £100 million being lost from the business in the UK.

Chaired by former BBC head of children's television Anna Home, the group's executive committee is made up of industry figures, including Anne Brogan, the controller of ITV kids production and RDF Media's director of family and children's programming, Nigel Pickard.

According to The Guardian, the letter to MPs states the move would "trigger a chain of events" and "deprive children of some of their favourite British television programmes and characters", as well as putting "many of this country's most successful, imaginative and creative companies out of business."

Media regulator Ofcom is currently looking at various options on junk food advertising, with a decision expected to be published at Christmas.

Source - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds38143.html.

You can visit the Save Kids' TV website at http://www.savekidstv.org.uk.

Nickelodeon UK To Show Are You Afraid of the Dark? During November!

According to NickTVAnt on the official Nickelodeon UK message boards, Nickelodeon UK will be showing Are You Afraid of the Dark? every night at 7pm during November 2006.

This Halloween, prepare to be scared as we bring you a non-stop marathon of the spookiest stories, direct from the Midnight Society! From 6pm all the way through to 11pm we'll be spinning ten terrifying tales to make this a Halloween like no other. And if that whets your appetite for more, then we'll bring you more, as the haunting continues every evening at 7 during November.

According to NickTVAnt in the same thread, the episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? which Nickelodeon UK will be airing on Halloween will be:

6:00pm - 01 The Tale of The Phantom Cab
6:30pm - 02 The Tale of The Laughing in the Dark
7:00pm - 03 The Tale of The Lonely Ghost
7:30pm - 04 The Tale of The Twisted Claw
8:00pm - 05 The Tale of the Hungry Hounds
8:30pm - 06 The Tale Of The Super Specs
9:00pm - 07 The Tale of The Captured Souls
9:30pm - 08 The Tale of The Nightly Neighbours
10:00pm - 09 The Tale Of The Dark Music
10:30pm - 10 The Tale of Jake and the Leprechaun

Source - http://www.nick.co.uk/messageboards/topics.aspx.