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[DarkLordMalik]

We were suspicious when Project CARS on Wii U was repeatedly sidelined, and it would appear that fear was warranted.

In successive, honest posts on the Project CARS forum, studio head Ian Bell has revealed that Slightly Mad Studios are struggling to realise their vision for the motorsport racing simulator on Wii U.

“I can’t say too much but we’re awaiting E3 with baited breath. Don’t read wrongly into that… OK I’ll come clean. At the moment we’re running at about 23FPS on the WiiU. We’re awaiting/hoping for more of a hardware announcement at E3…

“Honestly, unless we really cut the looks back I think we’re looking to Nintendo’s next console. 720p yes. I suppose if they don’t announce something at E3 or soon after we will have a go at it.

“We could reach a fairly solid 30FPS but it might take a hell of a lot of work. On the other hand, about halfway through us finishing, Nintendo might announce a new console (I have zero knowledge on this BTW but I’ve heard ‘rumours&#8217. Our work might just be the best thing that ever hit that new console in the driving sim genre.

“So we’re playing a waiting game at the moment and yes, economics do come in to it.”

Update: More quotes

Regardless, we still haven't given up on the WiiU version, we are though looking to see if it makes more sense to move it to new Nintendo hardware, just as we did with Xbox and Playstation, to get the framerates up.

To move above 23 or so FPS we would need to cut the graphics back substantially, remove weather and dynamic time of day and use an earlier tyre model (not Seta). This is a simple hardware reality we can not avoid.

And yes, I remember the survey, that's the only reason we haven't given up yet. Having said that, I don't want a sub par version of pCARS out there.

http://www.nintendo-insider.com/201...struggling-to-maintain-consistent-720p-30fps/

 

[SatoAilDarko]

They won't announce a new console at E3.

 

[grandjedi6]

We’re awaiting/hoping for more of a hardware announcement at E3…

You mean the one they already announced isn't happening?

 

[Ridley327]

Wow, even developers have a hard time reading statements made by Nintendo.

Assuming the worst for the port at this point here, what happens to the backers that were in specifically for this version?

 

[Piers]

"I am not surprised" post x1

 

[CaviarMeths]

Economics definitely come into it. We can look at Need For Speed: Most Wanted for an example of a racing sim was delayed for Wii U to make sure it was optimized properly and ran well. Result was fantastic, MWU is a great game, but it sold like garbage.

On the other hand though, the success of the crowdfunding owes no small part to backers who strongly supported the Wii U version. "Economics" is kind of a backhanded thing to say to people who provided the budget in the first place.

Hope he's not holding his breath for that E3 announcement though. Going for a year without oxygen is usually fatal.

 

[Doctor_Thomas]

Wow, even developers have a hard time reading statements made by Nintendo.

Assuming the worst for the port at this point here, what happens to the backers that were in specifically for this version?

Same as any backed project that falls through, nothing.

 

[maquiladora]

NX launch game? Would make more sense if they can't get it to run on Wii U in a decent state.

 

[Colombo]

Sounds like the PR is coming out to soften the future cancellation of the title. I hope I am wrong.

 

[NEO0MJ]

You mean the one they already announced isn't happening?

I think he means that we won't get any info at E3.

Economics definitely come into it. We can look at Need For Speed: Most Wanted for an example of a racing sim was delayed for Wii U to make sure it was optimized properly and ran well. Result was fantastic, MWU is a great game, but it sold like garbage.

Yeah, but there were plenty of good reasons for that.

 

[Haunted]

Not surprising with how incredible the game looks when played on PC. No one wants a sort of Chop till you drop situation, so if they manage to make it work at 720p and 30fps, that'd be a pretty amazing feat on its own.

This does read to me as if the WiiU version is on ice. Given how far away the NX is probably be, it's probably best to not hold your breath for Project Cars appearing on a Nintendo console (in fact, the opportunity cost of making this version is extremely questionable at this point).

You mean the one they already announced isn't happening?

Hoping against hope!

That's how you know the situation is actually pretty grim.

 

[Genio88]

WiiU is just a bit faster than 360/Ps3, what would have you expected?

 

[TheMoon]

The saddest part is the bit where they don't even bother to inform themselves about the current state of things when Iwata made it suuuuper clear that they are not gonna talk about new hardware until next year. Plus we don't even know if NX is a home console or in any way the next product in that line.

Hell, cut down the graphics. If your driving sim is great then sell it on those merits, do some more optimizing post launch and update the game if possible. Get those 30fps to work and deliver on the promise.

The only good thing I see here is that they're at least still committed to release a version of Project Cars on some Ninty system at some point in time.

WiiU is just a bit faster than 360/Ps3, what would have you expected?

Read the thing, don't just respond to the headline with a comment from 2012.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

Sounds like the PR is coming out to soften the future cancellation of the title. I hope I am wrong.

That's eh not PR.

 

[Ridley327]

Same as any backed project that falls through, nothing.

Wouldn't this be somewhat unique, though? I can't imagine Wii U backers not putting up some kind of fight if it does come out that they essentially paid for versions of the game that they didn't ask for.

 

[nephilimdj]

Isnt le mans with 2 dozen cars with weather a huge bottleneck in the eurogamer tests?

Be crazy to see how that impacts the wii u

 

[Nightbird]

They can release it on the next Console just keep in Mind that:

• they need to release it with all DLC available up to that point to keep it relevant
• they will have lower than the other versions sales due to the late release

If thats okay for them, they can postpone it.

 

[DeaviL]

Just say it's impossible and don't make it, it's a waste of money.
I say this as someone who really enjoys his Wii U

 

[-Horizon-]

Next console? Yeah, guess the game isn't coming then. We don't even know what NX is even going to be, might not even be a console. And they said we are only getting info in 2016. Oh well, at least they are being up front about what is going on.

 

[Sify64]

Although, I was really looking forward to Project Cars.. before the delay announcement.
It would be a good idea to just wait for the next console and have the game (if there's no sequel in the works already) as a launch game than struggling it out in.

 

[Haunted]

Wouldn't this be somewhat unique, though? I can't imagine Wii U backers not putting up some kind of fight if it does come out that they essentially paid for versions of the game that they didn't ask for.

This wasn't a Kickstarter game, was it?

Did they even use a known crowdfunding platform or did they collect the funding independently? Because if it's the former we can take a look at the rules and obligations, if it's the latter they can basically make up what they want.

 

[Ridley327]

This wasn't a Kickstarter game, was it?

Did they even use a known crowdfunding platform or did they collect the funding independently? Because if it's the former we can take a look at the rules and obligations, if it's the latter they can basically make up what they want.

It was Indiegogo, IIRC.

 

[Zakalwe]

"Just cut back the graphics."

"Typical PR speak"

Did you guys read the same interview as me?

 

[TheMoon]

They can release it on the next Console just keep in Mind that:

• they need to release it with all DLC available up to that point to keep it relevant
• they will have lower than the other versions sales due to the late release

If thats okay for them, they can postpone it.

It's 2 years away. The game won't be relevant unless they do some major revamp for all platforms and re-market all versions.

"Just cut back the graphics."

"Typical PR speak"

Did you guys read the same interview as me?

I didn't read any interview, I read those few forum posts from the studio head there.

 

[gtj1092]

I thought it was super easy to port games from ps4/x1/PC to Wii u?

Why cant they just say the game is canceled or would that require them to give back the money to the Wii u backers.

The journey of this game has been amazing from nfan darling and proof of the power of Wii u to not coming at all to the platform.

 

[DJwest]

You forgot to add Shocking news in the thread title.

 

[Infernal Monkey]

Sounds like it's fucked either way. Really late version for Wii U or an extremely late port for whatever Nintendo's next system is.

 

[DieH@rd]

Sounds like the PR is coming out to soften the future cancellation of the title. I hope I am wrong.

This is not PR, this is dev talk on the non-public forum.

 

[Sify64]

This wasn't a Kickstarter game, was it?

Did they even use a known crowdfunding platform or did they collect the funding independently? Because if it's the former we can take a look at the rules and obligations, if it's the latter they can basically make up what they want.

Nope. It was crowdfunded, but I don't think the Wii U was included as a goal.
Think it's more that they personally wanted to do make a Wii U version and hyped it up to gain support.

 

[CaviarMeths]

Just say it's impossible and don't make it, it's a waste of money.
I say this as someone who really enjoys his Wii U

Yeah, a waste of money that Wii U owners already gave them.

 

[DrWong]

SO, same reason the Steam version has been postponed...

:]

 

[Seanspeed]

It's gonna sell so poorly on the Wii U if it ever does come out. I think they know that and is probably partly why they are reluctant to put in the work.

 

[Tregard]

Project CARS for NX Launch then, can't wait to see the amiibos

 

[ShamePain]

What's the point of releasing on Wii U anyway? The console doesn't support wheels, the gamepad gives you cramps in 5 minutes, the pro gamepad doesn't have analog triggers. Plus 720p/sub30fps. It all sounds like a big disaster.

 

[Haunted]

It was Indiegogo, IIRC.

I can't find the project on indiegogo, wikipedia lists this as the crowdfunding site, which seems specifically made for Project Cars, so it seems like it's an independent model of crowdfunding.

Nope. It was crowdfunded, but I don't think the Wii U was included as a goal.
Think it's more that they personally wanted to do make a Wii U version and hyped it up to gain support.

Sounds like there are actually no obligations whatsoever for them to do it, then. (except prior announcements, obviously).

 

[Mikey Jr.]

Not sure what the hell they were the thinking with a wiiu version. Lack of common sense.

Anyways, maybe just keep dropping the resolution? Just go for 480p.

 

[eFKac]

I'm surprised they're still trying.

The longer they take the bigger the bomb will be. And I didn't expect it to do good even if it had launched alongside other SKUs.

 

[DeaviL]

Yeah, a waste of money that Wii U owners already gave them.

They funded development with a realistic chance that they wouldn't get the full game if anything went wrong.
Guess what has happened?

You might not want to hear it, but the same counts for bloodstained.

 

[Zakalwe]

I didn't read any interview, I read those few forum posts from the studio head there.

Fair enough, telling people to read properly and overlooking that probably wasn't the best way to present myself.

Just saying it's the typical response where people don't seem to understand it isn't as simple as just "turning down the graphics".

Also they seem pretty frank about it, not "typical" PR at all. Even if they don't fill me with confidence based on their comments about nintendo hardware...

Edit: Actually, I take that back about the PR. Reading it again it seems they're trying their best to delay telling people it's cancelled. Using language like "suppose" doesn't suggest their hearts are in it at all.

 

[Dilly]

It was Indiegogo, IIRC.

No, it was their own platform called WMD.

And it isn't a waste of money for the people that invested for the Wii U version, they will get their money back and profits that are made on the PC, PS4 and XB1.

 

[Acquiescence]

This is one of those "Why are they even bothering?" moments. The game won't sell anything approaching a significant number on the Wii U, it's already going to be a late port, and they can't maintain a steady frame rate. Just ditch it guys, it clearly wasn't meant to be.

 

[ShamePain]

I bet the overclocked gamecube CPU is also part of the problem.

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

Read the thing, don't just respond to the headline with a comment from 2012.

What is this nonsense? The comment being made in 2015 doesn't make it any less true. The game is clearly hardware intensive, and the Wii U isn't up to snuff. Nothing wrong with pointing it out.

I'm just wondering now how this effects people who backed the Wii U version. Cancel it or release what will likely to be a botch job of a port.

 

[Rodin]

Considering it has some issues even on PS4 and Xbox One, this isn't really surprising. But Nintendo won't announce any new hardware at E3, so maybe they should wait for the next home console devkits and have the game ready for launch window, possibly at budget price (since N7 probably won't be out until 2017, and by that you'll be able to buy it for cheap on PC/PS4/X1), if they want to reach that userbase.

Project CARS for NX Launch then, can't wait to see the amiibos

But NX will probably a portable, so it's unlikely that it will be more powerful than the Wii U.

I bet the overclocked gamecube CPU is also part of the problem.

What?

 

[Graphics Horse]

*new* Nintendo WiiU confirmed?!

 

[Seanspeed]

What's the point of releasing on Wii U anyway? The console doesn't support wheels, the gamepad gives you cramps in 5 minutes, the pro gamepad doesn't have analog triggers. Plus 720p/sub30fps. It all sounds like a big disaster.

This, too. Game will play like crap with the controller(its already bad enough for controllers *with* analog triggers), will be 30fps which is crap for a sim racer and look like crap.

 

[Castef]

Oh, please, cancel it already!

 

[Rajack]

I feel bad for these guys. They are clearly trying their hardest to realize a dream they have, and the signs are starting to point to their dream being more difficult than they have the money to tackle. Its probably hard for them to let go since they are ambitious artists.

 

[Sify64]

I can't find the project on indiegogo, wikipedia lists this as the crowdfunding site, which seems specifically made for Project Cars, so it seems like it's an independent model of crowdfunding.


Sounds like there are actually no obligations whatsoever for them to do it, then. (except prior announcements, obviously).

Yep, just like how they cancelled the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions.
The only thing keeping the Wii U version alive, is the fact they had talked really positively about the Wii U and potential features in prior announcements.
Cutting the port would have meant they had lied to those fans.

 

[grandjedi6]

Wouldn't this be somewhat unique, though? I can't imagine Wii U backers not putting up some kind of fight if it does come out that they essentially paid for versions of the game that they didn't ask for.

They never promised a Wii U version originally. Just multiplatform development. Hence why no one batted an eye when the 360 and PS3 versions were canceled. They've always been upfront about this being a PC-centric development.