News

08.11.2019:

GhostControl Inc. - Tassilo Rau died

We have lost a good friend and fellow developer: Tassilo Rau creator of GhostControl Inc. It is doubly sad as his wife passed away just one year ago. Tassilo was very kind and the most optimistic person in the world, we will miss him. Our thoughts go out to the family and especially their two young children.

Working with Tassilo was a pleasure. He was full of passion and ideas for all his projects, he always had new visions of how we could improve game mechanics. His love for pixel art and games from the old days showed in everything he did. We will miss him very much. 

12.02.2017:

GhostControl Inc. on sale 50% off

For a limited time only the electronic download version of the crazy pixel art strategy game GhostControl Inc. is 50% off.

20.11.2015:

GhostControl Inc. new version 3

Application Systems announces the availability of the new version 3 of GhostControl Inc. for Mac/PC/Linux. The new version can be downloaded from:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/ghostcontrolinc

What's new in Version 3.0?

Encouraged by feedback from 1,000's of players and the press alike we've decided to improve the game with loads of features. New ghost "Berserker", exploding items, chain reactions and tons of other features, improvements and bugfixes.

New Features

• New ghost type "Berserker" adds a new enemy with challenging skills.
• Exploding items like TVs and other devices add a new strategic element when it comes to hunting ghosts.
• Potential explosive chain reactions can cause players to rethink their strategies.
• Expanded "dripping" feature for champions of first two phases. This allows them to make the floor wet and hunters can slip and are slower therefore.
• In-Game smartphone includes a mute button.
• Added screen resolution adjustments to the options menu.
• Partial healing available in hospital to manage costs.
• Gas station does not force player to a full refill.
• Optimized Windows Mode.
• Tutorial mission can be skipped now.

• Smartphone automatically closes when new mission starts.
• Removed auto pause at midnight (game time).
• In-game clock keeps speed when players start driving and doesn't automatically revert to normal speed.
• Some GUI improvements.
• HQ Radio smaller to save screen space.
• Major rework of equipment shop interface.
• Improved equipment screen on in-game smartphone.
• Debuff and panic visualized in hunter portraits.
• Clearer graphics for menu buttons.
• Improved over all performance.

• Changes in game balancing
• Spawn factor for Liches reduced.
• Ghosts are less likely to become Champions.
• Reduced spawns of Pest/Swarmling, but strengths of ghosts increased.
• Higher cost for expansion room.
• Changes for achievements.
• Weakened competition.
• More money at start of a game.
• Reduced maximum ghost number at start of mission four.

07.06.2014:

GhostControl Inc. now on Steam! New version 2.0 available!

Application Systems and bumblebee. announce the launch of GhostControl Inc. 2.0 - our turn based strategy game - for Mac/PC/Linux and available on Steam. Shipping on Steam today, version 2.0 has many improvements and new features our backers and supports requested.

Steam Store Page here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/280540

Encouraged by over 10,000 supporters on Steam and feedback from 1,000's of early adopters and the press alike we've decided to improve the product with loads of features.

What's new?

Out of the nearly 50 great improvements in GhostControl Inc. 2.0 the most important are:

Research
Have your scientists build bigger guns and traps in the funky new lab. No more selling the ol' stuff - pimp it out!

All new inventory-system
All-new, improved, optimized, enhanced, super-fancy inventory window!

Personality
Rename all your ghosthunters - anytime! Build up your dream team of friends, colleagues or your favourite football team (and have 'em run away from a bunch of spooks like scaredy-pants)!

Spookipedia
This nifty database holds all your information from ghostscans: Strengths and weaknesses of ghosts, a classy description and a full size pixel-perfect depiction make this comprehensive compendium a ghosthunter's must-have.

Equipment Guide
Say hello to the inventory guide, listing all the available traps, sensors, guns and other equipment. See what's available in store, compare to your current stuff and see what to save up for.

Nip and Tuck
Improved visuals everywhere - funky ghostshines, wicked walking hunters inside your HQ, animated citymap and much more!

Training
No more sittin' around - have those couch-potatoes do some weightlifting whilst their colleagues are out doing the job.

Achievement list
GhostControl Inc. already comes with almost 60 freakin' achievements to gain - in version 2.0 you'll not only get a precise listing of those goals, they will be booked straight into your Steam-account.

STEAM!
Long awaited, finally here: An impressive Steamversion of GhostControl Inc. including all the cool stuff: Tradingcards, Achievements, Profilebackdrops, you name it!

And so much more:
Car-access during missions; Additional information in tooltips; Enhanced ghost-behaviour and boss-fights and hundreds of minor optimizations and improvements

And.. we added Spanish in addition to English, German and French as game language (including all bad jokes).

Download new version here: http://www.application-systems.co.uk/ghostcontrolinc/downloads.html

Swap your existing code for a Steam code here:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/ghostcontrolinc/gci_steam_code.html

29.01.2014:

GhostControl Inc. - ghostly strategy game - shipping/manual and demo available

Application Systems announces the launch of a demo version of GhostControl Inc. for Mac/PC/Linux.
The demo can be downloaded here:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/ghostcontrolinc/downloads.html

Also available from that link is the latest game update to version 1.0.7 and the "Guide to ghost hunting in the 21st Century" as a PDF. It explains how to avoid the most popular disasters in a 32 page nutshell.

We would like to remind everyone that we are still running our Steam Greenlight campaign and looking for even more support. We've had some good support already and great feedback but more is always better! Being successful on Steam Greenlight will give our customers even more choices of where to buy GhostControl Inc.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=200811463

The game is available directly from us and on ESD platforms like the
Windows Store, Desura, Gamers Gate, Indiegamestand, macgamestore
right now. All current buying choices can be found here:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/ghostcontrolinc/buy.html

GhostControl Inc. is also scheduled for release in the Mac App Store on January 30th, 2014.

Other ESD platforms will be releasing the game soon and a boxed version is being worked on, for those who like a box with their games.

Changes in version 1.0.7
New Feature: Destination change whilst driving on the city map.
New Feature: Additional sounds.
New Feature: Three levels of difficulty.
Bug fixes
Some over all performance improvements
Graphical improvements in change of scenery
Major performance improvement on the Macintosh
Retina support on the Mac
Better support for Ubuntu and Gentoo Linux

09.01.2014:

GhostControl Inc. new version 1.0.6

Application Systems announces the availability of the new version 1.0.6 of GhostControl Inc. for Mac/PC/Linux. The new version can be downloaded from:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/ghostcontrolinc/downloads.html

Several improvements and bug fixes.
Better support for Linux (Ubuntu and Gentoo)

18.12.2013:

GhostControl Inc. - turn based strategic ghost hunting - coming to PC, Mac and Linux

GhostControl Inc., the turn based ghost hunting strategy game is haunting the first players and shipped to our Kickstarter backers today. The game in great looking retro pixel style is ready for the press to review.

The Kickstarter campaign has been a real success and the game is shipping now. It is available in the Windows Store. Versions for PC, Mac and Linux are available for purchase on our web site.

In January the game will be coming to popular download stores and ship as a boxed version in Amazon and other channels. A Greenlight campaign has launched at:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=200811463

The game has been developed in close cooperation between Application Systems Heidelberg and bumblebee.

16.08.2013:

GhostControl Inc. gamescom 2013 booth, 2nd city unlocked, haunted music video published

Application Systems announces their presence at gamescom 2013 in Cologne, Germany, an additional city for GhostControl Inc. and a haunted music video.

GhostControl Inc. will appear at Gamescom 2013 at the Indie Arena, Hall 9, Booth A-045. The team will show a beta version of the game. Please get in touch with us to arrange a meeting by sending an email to presse@application-systems.de

We have reached our next stretch goal with the PayPal pledges that came in after the Kickstarter campaign and unlocked San Francisco as a second city. We have asked "Sound of Games" to create a city theme for San Francisco and they came up with a great tune and created a music video that you can find here:
http://youtu.be/Gq3lQokUCaY

"Sound of Games" will be at the show and visitors can get autographed GhostControl Inc. postcards Saturday, 11:00 at the Computec Media booth, H9.1,C056.

We've got our equipment and the GhostControl Inc. branded overalls ready to do a live performance on the retro stage hall 10.1 - E61/F70, Sunday 15:00. Thursday 16:00 we will do a live performance in front of hall 3 and 4 with German television ZDF present.

Indie Arena is supported by Unity Technologies, Headup Games, Application Systems Heidelberg, OUYA, Gioteck and Mediadesign Hochschule Düsseldorf. The Indie Arena gamescom booth is an initiative of developers that meet on indiearena.de

More information about gamescom 2013:
http://www.gamescom.de

05.07.2013:

GhostControl Inc. successful Kickstarter campaign celebrates the last 48 hours with Live Show

We mentioned our Live Show earlier this week and would like to announce the final schedule and participants. We have prepared three little clips showcasing games related to our GhostControl Inc like Theme Hospital, X-Com and Ghostbusters.

The Stream will be starting at
• 19:00 BST (London, UK)
• 20:00 CET (Heidelberg, Germany)
• 11:00 am PST (San Francisco)
• 02:00 pm EST (New York)
(http://www.ghostcontrol.biz/live/)

We start the show with some live coverage from the start of the
- Satellite Reign - a real-time, class-based strategy game, set in an
open world cyberpunk city, from the creator of Syndicate Wars.
- GhostControl Ancestors: GhostBusters
- Fire with Fire Online Tower Attack and Defense - a Free to Play
Cross Platform Online Player vs Player Tower Attack and Defense Game.
- American McGee's OZombie - Dorothy's great-great-granddaughter
joins forces with Tin Woodsman and Lion to battle Scarecrow's
mindless army for control of Oz.
- GhostControl Ancestors: X-Com und Theme Hospital
- GhostControl Inc.
- FRONTIERS - Explore, Discover & Survive in a massive, relaxing open
world that emulates the tone of classic first person RPGs.
- Megatokyo Visual Novel Game - Experience the unique perspectives of
Piro, Largo, and other Megatokyo characters as you play them in an
elaborate visual novel game.
- Ghost Hunting summary.


We dare to say this has not been done before: This Friday, the 5th of July, the developers of Bumblebee will be joining the team of actual, serious ghosthunters from Ghosthunter NRWup (http://www.ghosthunter-nrwup.de/) bringing their interesting equipment to a ghosthunt into mysterious houses, uninhabited for more than half a century - formerly housing of employees of the Krupp-Hüttenwerk Rheinhausen.


Embedded into the second episode of "The Krautfunding Show" from Application Systems Heidelberg we'll be calling the live ghost hunting every 20 minutes, bringing updates from the state-of-spook, interviewing the hunters and will definitely be experiencing some frightening moments.

Check out http://youtu.be/Po_TCc0sFwg - a first inspectation of the building.

Also on site is a team of German TV "ZDF neo" show "Pixelmacher" shooting footage from the event.

Show details:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/krautfunding/extra1.html (showtimes may change a little)

Last but not least we want to comment onto the last hours of our kickstarter and try to get one or two additional stretchgoals.

A news-post about this would be awesome and highly appreciated!

01.07.2013:

GhostControl Inc. going for a real world ghost hunt on the 5th of July!

Application Systems announces Bumblebee going for a LIVE ghosthunt!

We dare to say this has not been done before: This Friday, the 5th of July, the developers of Bumblebee will be joining the team of actual, serious ghosthunters from Ghosthunter NRWup (http://www.ghosthunter-nrwup.de/) bringing their interesting equipment to a ghosthunt into mysterious houses, uninhabited for more than half a century - formerly housing of employees of the Krupp-Hüttenwerk Rheinhausen.

All this will become streamed live into the net, starting at
• 19:00 BST (London, UK)
• 20:00 CET (Heidelberg, Germany)
• 11:00 am PST (San Francisco)
• 02:00 pm EST (New York)
(http://www.ghostcontrol.biz/live/)

Embedded into the second episode of "The Krautfunding Show" from Application Systems Heidelberg we'll be calling the live ghost hunting every 20 minutes, bringing updates from the state-of-spook, interviewing the hunters and will definitely be experiencing some frightening moments.

Check out http://youtu.be/Po_TCc0sFwg - a first inspectation of the building.

Also on site is a team of German TV "ZDF neo" show "Pixelmacher" shooting footage from the event.

We have prepared a little clip showcasing games in relation to our GhostControl Inc like Theme Hospital, X-Com and Ghostbusters. Our show-host Volker Ritzhaupt, CEO of Application Systems Heidelberg, will talk to other developers running exciting kickstarter-projects between the ghost hunting slots, one of them being American McGee with OZombie.

Show details:
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/krautfunding/extra1.html (showtimes may change a little)

Last but not least we want to comment onto the last hours of our kickstarter and try to get one or two additional stretchgoals.

A news-post about this would be awesome and highly appreciated!

24.06.2013:

GhostControl Inc. funded in Kickstarter campaign. 12 days left to reach stretch goals.

GhostControl Inc. for Mac/PC/Linux is fully funded in its Kickstarter campaign. Twelve days left to reach stretch goals. Reactions of backers and press is very reassuring that the game concept is popular. We've seen a lot of progress in the game in the past two weeks already, like the completion of the London City Map, the introduction of day and night cycles and much more.

Stretch goal include hundreds of voice acted exclamations for the ghost hunters such as "Ectoplasm is dripping from me ears!", "Guys we are being busted!", "Is that all you learned in the past 200 years?" as well as "I'll show you that Britain's got talent!" or "Ha! Another one bites the dust!" adding even more fun to the game.

Another Stretch goal would add a helicopter as an option to get to the haunting scene quickly.

All new plans are outlined in a Kickstarter update here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1184280206/ghostcontrol-inc/posts/519014

We have posted an interview with Tassilo from developer Bumblebee taken from "The Krautfunding Show" here:
http://youtu.be/JpVadF_ta9w

18.06.2013:

GhostControl Inc. featuring Kickstarter projects in a Live Streaming event

Application Systems announces a Kickstarter Live Streaming Show supporting their GhostControl Inc. campaign. The show will feature nine great Kickstarter projects as outlined here:
<>http://www.application-systems.co.uk/krautfunding/extra1.html>
List of project and start times may change as we update the page.
The page allows people to register for show updates.

Projects that have confirmed to participate include:
Unrest - an Unconventional RPG Set in Ancient India
Frozen State - a survival based horror RPG
GhostControl Inc. - a witty business simulation paired with strategic battles
Nelli Cootalot - a Retro Pirate Adventure
Son of Nor - a singleplayer and co-op action adventure game
Days of Dawn - a turn-based RPG with unique magic system
Wings - a full HD remake of Cinemaware's classic WWI Amiga game featuring never-before-seen content
Soul Saga! - a J-RPG inspired by Playstation classics.
H-Hour: World's Elite - a spiritual successor to those breakout PlayStation 2 shooters

The intention is to talk to the creators of these projects, get some background information from them and some of them will show images and video footage not shown before. Provided as well is a Skype ID for viewers to post questions they may have to a dveloper.

The show will start Thursday, 20th of June
19:00 BST (London, UK)
20:00 CET (Heidelberg, Germany)
23:30 IST (Jaipur, India)
11:00 am PST (San Francisco)
02:00 pm EST (New York)

Kindly supported by Boinx Software.
http://www.application-systems.co.uk/boinxtv/index.html

10.06.2013:

GhostControl Inc. coming soon

Application Systems and Bumblebee are proud to announce the launch of our Kickstarter campaign to help bring to market the most exciting paranormal simulation game yet. We've developed a really cool game, which requires a little extra help to bring to market and to help us learn from your feedback whilst fine tuning the game.

Send your players into battle against ghosts and paranormal events. In this hilarious turnbased strategic business simulation based around hauntings, players will be challenged with various tasks ranging from managing their team, buying the right equipment and exploring the best strategies to catch the spectres! This joint production of the two developer teams is expected to ship in September 2013.

Loads of details can be found in the description of the Kickstarter project that has just launched:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1184280206/ghostcontrol-inc

The Kickstarter video is also on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/6J3b4U3XVpY