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Ubisalt Responds to Criticism Regarding Wii Games - GAF called out!
- Thread starter ThatObviousUser
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SapientWolf said:
Team Buddies does have a child-like aesthetic, but it's really not a kids game, so that's kind of an interesting example. Do get Boom Blox though. Especially if you've got people to play with.
I was kinda hoping to see more gifs in this thread. Maybe we could collect all the gifs from the other thread(s) and put them in the OP, that would be the mature thing to do
AlphaTwo00
Member
What?rakka said:
Rayman 1 was decent, so was the first Red Steel.
Rayman 2 was slightly milking it, but it was still pretty entertaining.
My Word couch is suppose to be pretty good for what it does.
Emergency Heroes isn't even out yet, I'm not sure how you can say it's shit. It looks to be targetted for slightly younger audience, but I can see it's potential.
victreeb3l
Member
rakka said:
Not to mention NMH wasn't even developed by them.
Flakster99
Member
Oh Ubisoft.
I do not profess to understand your business dynamics, but having access to an untapped market does not, should not give any publisher/developer, especially one the size and scope as Ubisoft, a free pass at putting forth piss poor efforts at the expense of (new) gamers in an attempt for a quick cash grab.
Is Ubisoft offering smart choices, viable options to Wii owners?
Do these announcements scream 'This sounds great. Awesome. That's a great idea'?
Is Ubisoft ignoring the US market, where Wii owners continue to gobble up software at a continued, fevered pace?
First 18 months software units (US):
Wii - 50 million (not including Wii Sports)
X360 - 28 million
PS3 - 20 million
PS2 - 42 million
First 18 months hardware units (US):
Wii - 9.5 million
X360 - 5.2 million
PS3 - 4.2 million
PS2 - 8.5 million
Self explanatory.
Taken from the April 2008 NPD thread.
I do not profess to understand your business dynamics, but having access to an untapped market does not, should not give any publisher/developer, especially one the size and scope as Ubisoft, a free pass at putting forth piss poor efforts at the expense of (new) gamers in an attempt for a quick cash grab.
Is Ubisoft offering smart choices, viable options to Wii owners?
Do these announcements scream 'This sounds great. Awesome. That's a great idea'?
Is Ubisoft ignoring the US market, where Wii owners continue to gobble up software at a continued, fevered pace?
First 18 months software units (US):
Wii - 50 million (not including Wii Sports)
X360 - 28 million
PS3 - 20 million
PS2 - 42 million
First 18 months hardware units (US):
Wii - 9.5 million
X360 - 5.2 million
PS3 - 4.2 million
PS2 - 8.5 million
Self explanatory.
Satoru Iwata said:
Taken from the April 2008 NPD thread.
kame-sennin said:
I just fully read the Birdmen and the Casual Fallacy article, and it should be required fucking reading at every game development studio out there. It's thought-provoking and a helluva lot more insightful than what most corporate suits and analysts have to say.
It's way too early in the game to say that the author hit the nail on the head, but I definitely think he's on the right track. And he'd be one of the few that's even close, IMHO. Amazing.
It's way too early in the game to say that the author hit the nail on the head, but I definitely think he's on the right track. And he'd be one of the few that's even close, IMHO. Amazing.
Fantastical
Death Prophet
Not to mention.Exempted said:
?
Hell even these sold pretty well..
titiklabingapat
Member
Fuck off, Ubisoft.
You deserve all the hate you get from Wii owners.
You deserve all the hate you get from Wii owners.
not to mention that Redsteel.. which was an abortion but still an hardcore title sold fairly well.. actually it sold a million units and i doubt imagine babyz achieved that..
they could do a watered down port of Rainbow six or ghost recon with wii mote controls and it would sell loads better then dogz and imagine babyz
they could do a watered down port of Rainbow six or ghost recon with wii mote controls and it would sell loads better then dogz and imagine babyz
AlphaTwo00 said:
Red Steel and Rabbids got lucky as launch games, though I admit MP and Carnival Games arent rousing competition for Rabbids, and I have issues with Hudson's console MPs since the end of the N64. Red Steel was pretty poor, the next needs to implement the systems of MPC and MoH:H2
VictimOfGrief
Banned
Amir0x said:
I get what you're asking for.... an "Assailant's Creed Jr." where by our young boy goes around and picks fights with anyone who doesn't agree with his father Altair.
In reality, it's a game about choice. You either pick the fight, or get beat up with rumble feedback either way. By the end of the game, you feel better about yourself for either being more right than the other person or turning the other check to unlock special characters to replay the game as.
:lol
Ether_Snake is just desperately trying to turn this into console warz, despite trying to tell everyone else it is they who are doing it.
I don't know why it's a bad thing to want Ubisoft to make good games on the Wii instead of bad ones. I mean, they are making games on the Wii. That's not the issue. According to that list, they've developed/published 23 Wii games. How about instead of that, they make 5-6 good ones? We'll be happier, and I bet their accountants would be too.
I don't know why it's a bad thing to want Ubisoft to make good games on the Wii instead of bad ones. I mean, they are making games on the Wii. That's not the issue. According to that list, they've developed/published 23 Wii games. How about instead of that, they make 5-6 good ones? We'll be happier, and I bet their accountants would be too.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
SapientWolf said:Fuck yes I would buy it. Just like I'm going to buy Boom Blox. Just like I bought Team Buddies and Cookie and Cream. I'm not too full of myself to pass on something fun just because it has aesthetics that slant to a younger set. A game is either fun or its not, and that's all I care about.
edit: Here's the game I'm talking about:
That is a damn good game.
^^^ don't know about cookie, but Buddies was awesome in multi.
Sorry everybody, but this guy has a point. What sells most on the Wii ? Big Brain Academy, Wii Play, stuff like that.
Videogames company are businesses. They'll do on the Wii what sells on the Wii.
Now don't get mistaken, I love the Wii, that's the first console I got this gen, and I'd love to see more No More Heroes and Boom Blox, but let's face it : is that wrong for a games developper/publisher to make games that will sell ?
Sorry everybody, but this guy has a point. What sells most on the Wii ? Big Brain Academy, Wii Play, stuff like that.
Videogames company are businesses. They'll do on the Wii what sells on the Wii.
Now don't get mistaken, I love the Wii, that's the first console I got this gen, and I'd love to see more No More Heroes and Boom Blox, but let's face it : is that wrong for a games developper/publisher to make games that will sell ?
Version 3.0
Member
I feel sorry for Ubisoft. They obviously have no idea what's going on, and can't plan a strategy in the dark. It reminds me of the scene in Predator when Schwarzenegger's squad fires all their ammo blindly into the jungle, reacting to an invisible threat.
It's so sad, because Nintendo gave them the unique chance to be the #1 3rd party on the Wii, when they allowed Red Steel to be the first Wii game ever revealed.
But I think Ubisoft panicked when they saw Nintendo letting Wii Sports be the premier title, instead of Mario or Zelda. They've certainly been firing blind (or throwing shit, if you prefer) ever since.
It's so sad, because Nintendo gave them the unique chance to be the #1 3rd party on the Wii, when they allowed Red Steel to be the first Wii game ever revealed.
But I think Ubisoft panicked when they saw Nintendo letting Wii Sports be the premier title, instead of Mario or Zelda. They've certainly been firing blind (or throwing shit, if you prefer) ever since.
Ramenman said:
No, actually, he doesn't. What sells most on the Wii are AAA games, just like on every other console. Among the best selling Wii games are Zelda TP, Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Kart & Guitar Hero 3. Every single one of those is an AAA game.
What most developers/publishers don't realize is that, as far as Nintendo is concerned: WiiFit == Halo 3 == GTA4
Bending_Unit_22
Member
Wow, where have you been for the last year and a half? Not only is your statement that games like Big Brain Academy (which bombed in the US IIRC) are the only thing that sells on the Wii completely incorrect, the main issue is that Ubisoft slew of casual crap for the Wii isn't selling. They've said as much. Bah, I could go own showing why every statement that guy made is incorrect, but instead you should read the entire thread. Others have done it many times over.Ramenman said:
Version 3.0
Member
Ramenman said:
I don't think Big Brain Academy was much of a hit. Also, as has been pointed out many times, plenty of 'traditional' games have been hits on the Wii, and Ubisoft's best-selling Wii games were not similar to what they've recently announced.
Ramenman said:
Except that Ubi is not doing that. They're not making what sells; they've been complaining that their Wii games are not selling, in fact. Yet they aren't even making a sequel to their best-selling (or 2nd best?) Wii game, Red Steel, or anything in a similar vein. Instead, they're continuing to make more of what hasn't sold,
Galactic Fork
A little fluff between the ears never did any harm...
Ramenman said:
Uhhh look at the traditional games on that list the guy linked to:
As posted by ivysaur12 on the first page said:
Number 2 on that list is Sonic and Mario at the Olympics, which I would put just as traditional as any others. It's a classic track and field game!! Come on!
There are many traditional games that sold more than Big Brain Accademy!
I also find it hilarious when Ubi states that they're catering to a mass audience with their Petz and Babiez lines when in fact they're specifically targeting the young girl demographic. Unlike Nintendo's broad based efforts, theses game don't appeal to moms, boys, or adult gamers at all. They may have had some success on the DS with this approach, but judging from sales, the Wii userbase is a completely different animal altogether. The well is dry Ubisoft. Try something else.
Leondexter said:
We can say this, but keep in mind that Ubisoft is making money these days. Quite a bit of money. In the same time frame, EA lost money, Midway lost money, Take 2 lost money, SCi/Eidos lost money, among others who have failed to turn a profit.
They're doing some things right, somewhere, even if it's not on the Wii. I agree, their Wii offerings appear paltry. My only defense for them would be: what should they do? Should they take their (profitable) Rainbow Six or Assassin's Creed teams off the PS3/360 and put them on the Wii instead?
It's basically a problem of resources. The answer is to create new Wii specific teams (or if you'd prefer a longer view, new teams with a Wii-esque focus, be it on the Wii or other future platforms that may mimic it), and refine those developers over time into polished, consistent teams like the Splinter Cell or PoP teams. That takes time, though, likely quite a bit of it.
BlackGoku03
Member
I've gotta say, over the past year I've seen a lot of young girls (age 6 to 10) buy all that Imagine shitz. We do sell a lot of that to girls and they seriously like it... on the DS that is. The same stuff never sells well on the Wii, so Ubisoft needs to either quit and concentrate on the 360/PS3 or rethink their strategy.Teknoman said:
Wii Play is $10 and can be sold to the same people wanting to buy an extra controller; of course it's putting up spectacular numbers. But it's putting them up for reasons that no third-party can emulate.Ramenman said:
And Big Brain Academy? As far as I know, it didn't approach the worldwide sales of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Red Steel, Sonic and the Secret Rings, Super Paper Mario, Guitar Hero 3, and others--in large part due to its bomba sales in NA due to a ridiculous $50 price point. I don't remember seeing it setting Japan on fire either.
titiklabingapat
Member
The fact that they were once considered as the top Wii developer into basically nothingness in a span of a year and a half really points a glaring finger towards Ubisoft's massive and utterly destructive failure on the platform.
Actually, it's an awkwardly realized mish-mash of more popular writings on the subjects of disruptive technology, slapped through a lens to try and make it directly apply to video games, and specifically Nintendo.Adumaha said:
That wouldn't be nearly as bad as it is if it wasn't buttered with annoying interjections by a fictional reader, ineffectually attempting to add character to the author's lack of writing ability and forum-worthy tone.
Those in the know will quickly spot that most of the good bits are just swiped directly from other, more popular articles, and it would probably be better for folks to just go straight to the source and read up on the plethora of written material that covers the topics and subjects more concisely and adequately than to bother plowing through this somewhat fanboyish rambling.
Just my opinion, but the whole thing reminds me of someone who sat through a singular lecture of some undergraduate survey course trying to justify his ideas without really having a complete understanding of the subjects he's talking about.
Again, let's consider the whole picture here -- let's talk resources. Creating more, high quality teams is the best answer, but that's also a long term answer and quite possibly might not show fruit until very late in this generation, if at all.
Of the higher quality teams that we know are at Ubisoft's disposal, which ones do we propose taking off PS3/360 projects? The Rainbow Six team? Ancel? The Assassin's Creed team? Again, remember that Ubisoft is one of just a few Western developers that are making money right now. They're doing something right, and the above listed teams are almost certainly making money for them.
I ask this question honestly: which of their more established teams should be pulled away? "They should do both! They should do everything!" isn't a reasonable answer. Again, this is about managing limited resources. Now, I expect virtually 100% of Ubisoft's new teams (as they are created over the coming years) to be directed at Wii/DS projects, but with what's available now, their choices do seem difficult, to me.
Of the higher quality teams that we know are at Ubisoft's disposal, which ones do we propose taking off PS3/360 projects? The Rainbow Six team? Ancel? The Assassin's Creed team? Again, remember that Ubisoft is one of just a few Western developers that are making money right now. They're doing something right, and the above listed teams are almost certainly making money for them.
I ask this question honestly: which of their more established teams should be pulled away? "They should do both! They should do everything!" isn't a reasonable answer. Again, this is about managing limited resources. Now, I expect virtually 100% of Ubisoft's new teams (as they are created over the coming years) to be directed at Wii/DS projects, but with what's available now, their choices do seem difficult, to me.
AlphaTwo00
Member
So, why not let's say: take the Babiez and Dogz project and the combined resources and merge them together for just one project that, in theory, can build something better?Opiate said:
SapientWolf said:Fuck yes I would buy it. Just like I'm going to buy Boom Blox. Just like I bought Team Buddies and Cookie and Cream. I'm not too full of myself to pass on something fun just because it has aesthetics that slant to a younger set. A game is either fun or its not, and that's all I care about.
edit: Here's the game I'm talking about:
Holy crap, I love that game. I remember spending hours playing that over and over again back when i was younger.
I should really buy myself a new copy.
Labombadog
Member
DUDE!! You actually made me 'LOL' and almost woke up my girl because of you ASSHOLE! :lol :lol :lol :lolduketogo88 said:
Hate specifically directed at Ubisoft is misplaced. All major publishers are doing this to the Wii. Some don't even get called out on it.
But Ubisoft announces that neither Prince of Persia nor Beyond Good and Evil are coming to the Wii and everybody explodes. Why? Well, probably because both were important 3rd party releases on the GCN. Nintendo fans are feeling a bit betrayed.
But hey, you know. Keep assaulting Ubisoft even though this problem is much more widespread. Meanwhile, publishers like EA, Take-Two, and Activision are even worse on this and they're getting off scott-free.
Maybe if you complain enough they won't cancel Red Steel 2.
But Ubisoft announces that neither Prince of Persia nor Beyond Good and Evil are coming to the Wii and everybody explodes. Why? Well, probably because both were important 3rd party releases on the GCN. Nintendo fans are feeling a bit betrayed.
But hey, you know. Keep assaulting Ubisoft even though this problem is much more widespread. Meanwhile, publishers like EA, Take-Two, and Activision are even worse on this and they're getting off scott-free.
Maybe if you complain enough they won't cancel Red Steel 2.
Opiate said:
You raise an interesting point. If I was a shareholder of the company and looking at the trends of the current industry, I would be slightly alarmed at the majority focus on HD console development and the lack of initiative of using top talent to take advantage of the surging Wii userbase, at least from a long-term growth perspective.
In addition, with the strong possibility of overmilking franchises such as Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six (not to mention developer burnout), why not shuffle the focus of one of these top groups to Wii development? From a financial and a creative standpoint, I think it's a good idea.
Version 3.0
Member
Opiate said:
Fair enough. But what about the Red Steel team? We don't know what they're doing. And yes, maybe Ancel. He seemed to like the Wii, once upon a time at least. I'm stoked as hell about Beyond Good & Evil 2, and have no issues with it being on the HD systems, but from a business standpoint, I wonder if it wouldn't sell better on the Wii than the other consoles, even combined. They could even just make a Wii version.
Version 3.0
Member
ZealousD said:
There's one major difference: the CEO's of the other major publishers haven't publicly said their Wii games have been bad, and that they were now going to have "Nintendo quality games".
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