RA24_4_Me shows us that NECA has announced it’s plan to create Ghostbusters: The Video Game style characters to coincide with the October 2008 release. Announced so far is a translucent Slimer to go along with the existing four Ghostbusters figures (Gozer, Zuul, Vinz Clortho and Slimer). NECA is also working on obtaining the rights to likenesses of the four Ghostbusters for more releases. Prices should be expected to be around $20-40 dollars. Source: The Quarter Bin.
Also, if you check out NECA’s website (http://www.necaonline.com/) and go to the wizard world philly news post, one of their sculptors is wearing a Ghostbusters shirt. A hint towards the future perhaps?
Oh man I hope they get the rights! This made my day thanks for posting
Or that he’s just wearing a shirt for his favourite film.
That’s probably what it is. but one can hope.
Count me as one of those hoping. I’m sure I’m not the only person on this site who has repainted or modfied a RGB action figure to make it look more like the movie character.
How cool would that be to get well-sculpted figures that really looked like their movie counterparts, with more accurate proton packs, etc.? I’m actually pretty optimistic about the possibility. The simple fact that they’ve made the few figures they have, and are still invested in the property (hence the new Slimer), makes me pretty hopeful. And the fact that they’re at least “in discussion” for the rights to the actor’s likenesses is encouraging, too.
I wouldn’t necessarily look for them to be released soon after the video game, though. Sony is obviously loosening up a little, but they’re still also apparently somewhat tight about their hold on the GB license. Maybe something to look forward to for next year?
Well, I liked their other figures. Next year is a big year for GB. I doubt NECA would go to all the trouble of doing a translucent Slimer and nothing else (probably the same mold, just using a clear plastic instead) I have my ORIGINAL (beat up) RGB figures, my 1/6 scale, and my “self-portrait” GB 1/6th scale. I just got some Indiana Jones figs. Too bad they can’t do 3 3/4 inch to go with my Joes and Indy.
Lets hope this turns out a little better than another certain translucent figure,
I still remember getting mine in the mail. It was definetly awesome at the time and a decent figure for what it is. Just love that article. 
Said it on Proton Charging too but ugh. Am I the only one that hates the variant figures? “Ghost” of Obi-Wan? “Cloaked” Predator? “Translucent” Slimer? Basically it just equates to the company saving a few bucks by being able to use an old mold and not having to pay for a paint application…
I’ll pass on this. C’mon Randy, get those lawyers in gear and get some likeness releases signed so you can start cranking out the four figures EVERYONE (not just Ghostheads) will buy…
Of course, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that it may be a new sculpt, based off of his appearance in the game which would differ when compared to the figure they release of movie Slimer. Even if it is just making a transparent version of the same mould, it is unoriginal to a degree but if they’re hoping to make a series based on the game Slimer’s really the only ghost we’ve seen that is almost surely finished, so they can safely make a figure based on him and know that there’s little chance that the model in the game will then change, and it means they’re being active Ghostbusters wise whilst they hope to acquire the likeness rights and get the designs for other ghosts from the game.
I just hope Bill does the right thing and grant the rights to them so they can finally make a Peter figure and thus release a set of all four Ghostbusters, he may very well need the extra cash with the impending divorce and seeing as he granted the rights to the game makers, what difference does it make to then grant it to NECA? Refusing to do so would only reinforce the negative perception of him that people have developed over the years.
That article was hillarious!
I totally forgot about x-entertainment.com! I love the humor from that site. Didn’t they have a few articles on Ghostbusters?
I guess my argument is that the casual fan, or the 80s nostalgic consumer isn’t going to keep buying B-characters and variant figures.
It would be like launching their new TMNT line of figures with a mouser and Wingnut and Screwloose.
And NECA wonders why the sales just aren’t that strong for the Ghostbusters line.
I would tend to disagree. I think that Slimer is a very recognizable Ghostbusters property.
He even received his own cartoon spin-off! … hmm, good point. hah
Either way though, I’m glad that NECA is still committed to the Ghostbusters brand.
I don’t think I need to point out the irony in calling a translucent figure recognizable…
Anyway… my point being that they’ve already released a Slimer figure that warmed pegs for months. Obviously, that’s not where the demand is. If they can snag the likeness rights to the actors and release figures of the four title characters, those are what’s going to sell like hotcakes…
They released Gozer and two terror dogs that to the casual consumer looked identical and then they sat back licking their wounds when the figures didn’t sell and probably wondered why. Joe Schmo walking into Hot Topic isn’t going to buy a Gozer action figure, but they’ll buy Pete Venkman figures by the truckload.
Aren’t you just being a little unfair on them? Dare I even suggest that this is some latent, misdirected anger intended for Sebastien Clavet?
Just because they’re doing one ‘varient figure’ (and there’s still no guarentee it’s the same mould) doesn’t mean they’re suddenly going to hock out four different versions of each of the existing figures they’ve made.
In addition to that, they probably knew damn well the series wasn’t going to sell as well without having the four Ghostbusters to complement it. They couldn’t just scrap it after all the work they’d put into it when Bill continued to hold out on them.
Time will tell, this pessimism isn’t becoming of you.
I would be willing to bet it will be the same mold.
And it probably is a safe bet… but we won’t know until we see a shot.
I’m still wondering about the “colour” . Sorry Ben, I had to poke fun at the Englishman’s use of the letter “u”.
Courtesy of Proton Charging and Gamervision: