Wii to outpace 360 in 12 months, EA and Taketwo refocus development to Nintendo

News Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=amWmy6_JG16U&refer=home

The Wii is now slated to sell over 16 million units this fiscal year
compared to just 9 million estimated for the 360, and allowing Nintendo
to match and begain oupacing Microsoft a little after Christmas in
2007. The market shift comes as EA and TakeTwo, among others, have
begun to follow Ubisoft's lead and refocus primary development to
Nintendo's console. Both companies have switched funding to
Wii-centered studios and have revealed redevelopment for a slew of
mature games to the console including Manhunt and the Godfather. The
current and projected installed base for the Wii has forced major
gaming companies to shift their top brands to the console for initial
next-iteration development, a late correction to a miscalculation that
cost a 25% overall drop in game sales while early adopters like Ubisoft
(which will have 13 Wii titles out by June) literally laughed all the
way to the bank.

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

GTA? Maybe not, but hot sales for Nintendo can only mean more 3rd party support for the Wii... however many of those games will be ports, I believe.TDLlama

For some reason the part that says that EA and Taketwo are follwing Ubi's lead doesn't sound too good, well we'll see how it turns out.tegovoltio

I don't see why not. Of all the early third party games on the wii, EA's are by far the best. Most have scored AA here. 

[QUOTE="TDLlama"]GTA? Maybe not, but hot sales for Nintendo can only mean more 3rd party support for the Wii... however many of those games will be ports, I believe.mjarantilla

[QUOTE="tegovoltio"]For some reason the part that says that EA and Taketwo are follwing Ubi's lead doesn't sound too good, well we'll see how it turns out.goblaa

I don't see why not. Of all the early third party games on the wii, EA's are by far the best. Most have scored AA here.

I know what you're talking about with Ubisoft. I would have been happier with 3 or 4 quality titles from them for the Wii then 15 mediocre ones.

As for joke of the industry... If EA and Taketwo switch focus, its not a joke, its a market shift. The fact is the Wii sells, and if you aren't on board then you are being left behind. That was the miscalculation that they are having make up for. Its a step forward for gameplay, and a minor step forward for graphics. The fact that lemmings and cows still don't grasp the Wii is more powerful than the original Xbox still confuses me. We'll see spectacular graphics on that console just like we saw spectacular graphics on the PS2. More so, since the Wii has a crapload more to work with than either the Xbox or PS2, and will be the major console this generation.

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"][QUOTE="TDLlama"]GTA? Maybe not, but hot sales for Nintendo can only mean more 3rd party support for the Wii... however many of those games will be ports, I believe.Alunanite

I think that's something many Wii-bashers don't take into account. Most if not damn near all devs were not making Wii games back at E306 and had no intention of ever doing so. But E3, the media buzz, and the last few months have changed their minds. Problem is that even a low budget game takes a year to a year and a half to make. Today even PS2 games take about two years or more to make. Third parties want to make Wii games, but they need time to make the games first. Until then, we just get cheap ports and games that don't push the Wii's hardware.

are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3.

 

Alunanite

[QUOTE="Alunanite"] are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3.

 

d12malu

 He also doesn't take in to account MS' willingness to spend.  We've all ready seen it with the next Splinter Cell game being a timed exclusive on the Xbox360.  So that kind of throws a wrench in to his whole theory on the Clancy games, and it's not like GTA IV is going to tank on 360 and PS3, if anything, it will not only sell well on its own, but help sales of both consoles.

It would be a shame for the Wii to be a primary development console, it isn't on the same plain as the other systems, so it would be holding them back with it's outdated and frankly sad tech.VegetaJr

I know what you're talking about with Ubisoft. I would have been
happier with 3 or 4 quality titles from them for the Wii then 15
mediocre ones.

 

As for joke of the industry... If EA
and Taketwo switch focus, its not a joke, its a market shift. The fact
is the Wii sells, and if you aren't on board then you are being left
behind. That was the miscalculation that they are having make up for.
Its a step forward for gameplay, and a minor step forward for graphics.
The fact that lemmings and cows still don't grasp the Wii is more
powerful than the original Xbox still confuses me. We'll see
spectacular graphics on that console just like we saw spectacular
graphics on the PS2. More so, since the Wii has a crapload more to work
with than either the Xbox or PS2, and will be the major console this
generation.

Alunanite

[QUOTE="VegetaJr"]Ubisoft is laughing all the way to the bank, but doing so at the expense of the suckers who own a Wii who actually bought their shoddy games. Rayman was the only half decent title in the whole bunch. The rest were either just mediocre, or plain god-awful. It would be a shame for the Wii to be a primary development console, it isn't on the same plane as the other systems, so it would be holding them back with it's outdated and frankly sad tech.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you.  I like the Wii, think it's a good console, and there are plenty of Nintendo games that I will want to play as well as some good third party ones.  That said, I don't want it to be the main platform for third parties because as you point out, so much more can be done with the power of the 360 and PS3 to push graphics, and though both don't "innovate" in the controls department the way the Wii does, it's not the games played the traditional way have suddenly become bad.  I'll take outstanding graphics and great traditional controls over mediocre graphics and a different control scheme anyday.

[QUOTE="Alunanite"] are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3.

 

d12malu

[QUOTE="d12malu"][QUOTE="Alunanite"] are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3.

martin_f

take two will never make a gta for the wii it would just be stupid andthe wii will go ixtint like the gamecube has (gamestation doesnt even sell gamecube games but sells ps1 still,you can pick a preowned gamecube at gamestation for £35 thats less than a game these daysdjc509

Wow, great reasoning. :roll: 

I'll take outstanding graphics and great traditional controls over mediocre graphics and a different control scheme anyday.

 

Gamer46

Despite the Wii being Ubisoft's primary console for development (according to the article) I would say the 360 and PS3 are getting the more promising games from them. The PS3/360 has GRAW 2, Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six Vegas, Haze and Splinter Cell 5. What is the Wii getting and what does it already have?Paktahn

Despite the Wii being Ubisoft's primary console for development (according to the article) I would say the 360 and PS3 are getting the more promising games from them. The PS3/360 has GRAW 2, Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six Vegas, Haze and Splinter Cell 5. What is the Wii getting and what does it already have?Paktahn

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

Alunanite

I rather play Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, GTA, Prince Of Persia, etc... on the PS3, and Xbox 360 than on the Wii.

[QUOTE="Alunanite"]

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

DevilMightCry

I rather play Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, GTA, Prince Of Persia, etc... on the PS3, and Xbox 360 than on the Wii.

I'm all for the Wii but sale mean nothing if the games produced are going to be crap. EA has some good stuff but on the same coin, they have some bad stuff too. I hope the Wii gets some quality "fun" titles, if not, I can always fall back on PC.Boba_Fett_3710

Ubisoft is laughing all the way to the bank, but doing so at the expense of the suckers who own a Wii who actually bought their shoddy games. Rayman was the only half decent title in the whole bunch. The rest were either just mediocre, or plain god-awful. It would be a shame for the Wii to be a primary development console, it isn't on the same plane as the other systems, so it would be holding them back with it's outdated and frankly sad tech.VegetaJr

[QUOTE="Boba_Fett_3710"]I'm all for the Wii but sale mean nothing if the games produced are going to be crap. EA has some good stuff but on the same coin, they have some bad stuff too. I hope the Wii gets some quality "fun" titles, if not, I can always fall back on PC.wemhim

[QUOTE="DevilMightCry"][QUOTE="Alunanite"]

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

Boba_Fett_3710

I rather play Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, GTA, Prince Of Persia, etc... on the PS3, and Xbox 360 than on the Wii.

[QUOTE="Boba_Fett_3710"][QUOTE="DevilMightCry"][QUOTE="Alunanite"]

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

wemhim

I rather play Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, GTA, Prince Of Persia, etc... on the PS3, and Xbox 360 than on the Wii.

I think, that if PS3 devs. implemented motion controls similar to the Wii, in let's say Rainbow Six, I'd see no reason picking up the Wii version with its crappy visuals.

Just my opinion. 

[QUOTE="wemhim"][QUOTE="Boba_Fett_3710"][QUOTE="DevilMightCry"][QUOTE="Alunanite"]

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

DevilMightCry

I rather play Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, GTA, Prince Of Persia, etc... on the PS3, and Xbox 360 than on the Wii.

I think, that if PS3 devs. implemented motion controls similar to the Wii, in let's say Rainbow Six, I'd see no reason picking up the Wii version with its crappy visuals.

Just my opinion. 

[QUOTE="DevilMightCry"][QUOTE="wemhim"][QUOTE="Boba_Fett_3710"][QUOTE="DevilMightCry"][QUOTE="Alunanite"]

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

Rahnyc4

I rather play Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, GTA, Prince Of Persia, etc... on the PS3, and Xbox 360 than on the Wii.

I think, that if PS3 devs. implemented motion controls similar to the Wii, in let's say Rainbow Six, I'd see no reason picking up the Wii version with its crappy visuals.

Just my opinion.

Well, think of the PS3 as Wii-Lite, only with a lot more horsepower under the hood, and functions. 

Well, think of the PS3 as Wii-Lite, only with a lot more horsepower under the hood, and functions.

I would much rather think of it as a PS2 with better graphics, a $600 price tag and tacked-on tilt sensing.Boba_Fett_3710

And I think of Wii as a reshaped GC with a $150 Wii controller, so what's your point? 

Is this a joke, If that were to happen i would trade all three of my next gen console and go into pc gaming, Actually scratch that, I would take a leak on the Wii and then take a huge dump on it clean it off and if it worked i would then trade it in.savage161

I wouldnt get too excited.

Bloomberg reporters have less understanding of the video game industry than the average SW poster.

All they can do is look at trends, and the fact is, the Wii is flying right now.

The wii will not have the predicted impact on the software industry for a number of reasons, The tech will begin to look severely outdated in a very short while, but the main reason is that the attchment rate for games will remain far lower than that of more hardcore machines like the 360, and the ps3.

The Wii is a cheap, casual console - cheap people and casuals do not spend a lot of money on games, and the nintendo fanboys tend to shun 3rd party software anyway.

I can safely predict that even if the wii was to sell 2wice as many consoles as the 360, the 360 would still have the lead in software sales, and it is that which is the important thing.

The vast majority of casual Wii gamers I know, play wii sports and nothing else, they have 0 interest in any of the other titles on the roster.

 

^^ A paraphrased summary of the
Bloomberg article. I think Cows and Lemmings are just going to have to
get use to the fact that games franchises like Tom Clancy, EA Sports, Prince of Persia,
and perhaps even Grand Theft Auto are going to be developed on the Wii
first and then ported to the 360 and PS3. Amazing what 5 months of
killer sales and huge press and hype can do to change the direction of
a war.

Alunanite

 I don't think that will ever happen becouse that would kill console gaming(well atleast joy in it)

I don't think everyone wants to play games that are last gen