I always think Arkham Horror is like Ghostbusters in the style of the '20s.

With the upcoming Ghostbusters III in 2012, wouldn't it be great if FFG grabs the license to do a Ghostbusters Boardgame in style of Arkham Horror?

They could change the Arkham Map to New York, the Police Station with Car and Gun to the Ghostbusters HQ with Ecto-1 and Proton Pack, Ancient Ones could be Gozer, Marshmallow Man, Vigo etc.

FFG could insert some of the AH Expansion rules like Personal Stories, Epic Battle to spice things up.

Also it wouldn't be a financial risk for FFG, because they just have to re-engineer an already existing game.

Sorry in advance for the attack, but I'm trying to respond to the question, not the poster.

This suggestion makes me want to hurl. Arkham Horror is not like, "Ghostbusters in the style of the '20s", but is very much like what it is a-- game that puts you as closely as possible to the horror world that H. P. Lovecraft created in the 20s. I don't think it needs Monopoly-style variations. I think it would trivalize the game and hurt the brand and magnificant theming.

Ok, then the other way: Ghostbusters is like Arkham Horror in the 80's

I have to say that The Real Ghostbusters Episode "The Call of Cthulhu" introduced me to Lovecraft as a kid.

Also the whole Ivo Shandor story in the first Ghostbusters has that Lovecraft Vibe.

So it wouldn't be that far of a stretch.

I don't think that we there will be more than 2 other regular Arkham Horror Expansions and that FFG will continue the Lovecraft Theme with Mansions of Madness and it's expansions.

With a Ghostbusters Game in Style of AH, FFG could introduce younger audiences to the more mature and complex Arkham Horror Game System, after the GB license runs out.

In my opinion it's a win/win situation.

I'll counter the (grumpy) Old Man and say that I think it's a great idea. Inasmuch as it would end up being its own thing, it wouldn't tarnish the brand or whatever. But I wouldn't call it "Arkham Horror: Ghostbusters Edition", just "Ghostbusters: The Board Game". The similarity of the system to AH would be known by those who know AH, but so what? If it works, it works. It would kind of be like Forbidden Island, which is the more family oriented version of Pandemic.

Here's why it would never happen, though... the complexity and length of the game is highly prohibitive to the kind of people that it would mostly be promoted to in the wake of the new film version. If it could be streamlined and simplified enough, then sure, I think it could work. But it would really have to be streamlined and simplified quite a lot.

I still doubt it will happen, though, regardless, so the best bet would be to create it yourself using Strange Eons.

As Grudunza said, I think you could make an "Arkham-lite" style game based on Ghostbusters without too much trouble.

Streamline the investigators(Ghostbusters). Get rid of focus and have their stats be static. Don't use so many items/spells/etc.

Instead of visting Other Worlds to seal Gates, you'd just have to travel there, kill/trap any ghosts, and do a skill check to close.

Make Terror level more important. Ghostbusters won't need too many stores, so have the terror levels effect movement or something else.

Give a bonus for working together so everyone doesn't split off and leave one guy with Ecto-1. Maybe Ghostbusters are blessed when 2 or more are gathered together at the same location. This would also help fighting the AOO.

Give it more of a light-hearted feel with more jokes a la Munchkin.

It could work. I've actually been thinking of a similar thing in using Arkham mechanics for another TV show theme.

Sorry to say this Beachhead, but I agree with the Old Man. Trying to bring up a kid-friendly version of AH, or something movie-based doesn't sound right to me. I think Arkham Horror should stay as it is, a game of Lovecraftian Horror. Plus, I doubt that Ghostbusters can achieve immersing depth or scale.

mi-go hunter said:

Personally I don't think AH itself is particularly inappropriate for kids. Some of HPL's stories may or may not be inapproriate for kids (I haven't read them all) but the game isn't exactly "mature players only."

Would a Ghostbusters themed version of AH be a good game? Maybe. I'm not over the moon about the idea, but I don't hate it either.

Would I buy such a game? No. I already have AH, I don't need another AH with different art. That's not because I think the idea is bad, it's just because, as awesome as the Ghostbusters movies are, I don't like them enough to buy a whole game about it.

Do I think anything like this is going to happen? No. I'm quite sure there WILL be a "Ghostbusters the Board Game" to coincide with the release of GB3, but I highly doubt that the people who hold the license will be paying the kind of money FFG would want. It'll probably be some cheap knock off dice roller like Dexter or CSI.