Xavier Poix, head of Ubisoft France, has talked at length about his thoughts on the Wii U and the importance of the Wii U GamePad. Poix says that the company knew that Nintendo would have a hard job getting the message across with the system compared to the original Wii. You can read this thoughts about the Wii U and video games in general, below.
“It’s a long-term strategy for us. The first way it helps is you’re starting very soon on the new system. When the others are just starting you’ll be on your second or third iteration; that means productivity-wise when there is a new engine, etc. etc, you’ll go faster. It’s also a question of market share. Our goal on the Wii U-and we did that on the Wii as well-it’s a great opportunity to create new brands because at this time people are expecting new stuff,”
“If you arrive with good innovations supported by the console then you’re potentially creating something really new to appeal to players and then you can build a brand upon it, like we did with Rabbids and a bit earlier with Just Dance, and like we did with Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. On the other hand, you’re speaking of big investments, everything depends on the console itself. On the Wii U for instance, the level of the Wii U hardware is a little bit higher than Xbox 360 or PS3, but it was more about using the new GamePad and finding new designs for games, asymmetrical etc.”
“One thing for sure we knew is that this new controller would be something harder to convey than the Wii, which was about the movements in your game, so we knew we needed to educate people around this GamePad idea. We strongly believe that people have not yet realized the importance of the gameplay that this can provide, but for sure they need the good games to support the system. And they need the installed base to gain more support, which is not the case yet,” he noted. “For our games we really wanted to show the innovation. In ZombiU for instance, the players are really fond of the multiplayer mode because it’s totally new; it’s like one FPS player against an RTS player. On the second screen approach… We pushed the limits of that so it can be a real gameplay challenge to look at two screens.”
“We don’t have any disappointments compared to the installed base. We are just hoping that Nintendo’s results for Wii U will be a bit bigger, like Iwata-san said,” he commented. “Selling a new way of playing can take some time, and we know the power of the brands from Nintendo and we know from the fans that the majority of what will be the system sellers are not yet available. And on our side, Rayman will be one of them for sure. We really expect Rayman to be a huge system seller on the console.”
”We really expect Rayman to be a huge system seller on the console” You shouldn’t have delaye it.
I know. Not anymore it wont the specialness has evapourated from that game. Casual walks into the shop sees it on PS3 or 360 he already owns and the Wiiu version loses a sale. If it was exclusive they would probably buy a Wiiu to play Rayman Legends. They basically cut the sales of the Wiiu version in half. No doubt it will still be a fantastic game , especially on wiiu!
Even worse, probably even PS3 and Xbox360 owner won´t be interested in that game anymore, because it will be launched among fierce competition, other games will overshadow it.
Still not buying Ubi products after they screwed us on RL.
Just buy the stinking game! So it got delayed.. big whoopie ding! It is STILL and AMAZING game!
*an
“We really expect Rayman to be a huge system seller on the console.”…Yeah… against GTA V and many more game at that time, i do not think Rayman can’t do that.
I think GTA somehow lost its hype. I’m not sure it will appeal to so many gamers anymore.
Could be, but GTA V is still the most anticipated game of this year.
So what your saying is if you release Rayman now it would sell more wii u systems. And if more systems are sold more people will have the chance to buy other games like zombie u. Hmmmm…… Maybe you should rerelease Rayman.
THEN WHY THE FUCK WAS RAYMAN LEGENDS DELAYED!!!!!!
Microsoft’s the reason. The Xbox can’t get a 3rd party game last. Hastings to be first or at the same time as everyone else. This isn’t always the case. Microsoft chooses when to enforce that.
No is not, both MS and Ubisoft has made clear that those are false claims and the sole reason why the game will launch at the same time for all console, is a Ubisoft and only Ubisoft decision.
Y’know, Rayman Legends would’ve gone a long way in helping people grasp the importance of the WiiU gamepad.
At least Ubisoft doesn’t bash the Wii U Unlike Ea which is why i got more respect for them than Ea.
Criterion likes the Wiiu and promised future Need for speed games will be released on Wiiu same day as other platforms which is very encouraging. They have a new CEO soon so lets hope they change their ways!
though you’ll never know… its EA after all -.-
That’s because too many people are like “errr duuuuuuuurrrr 360 controller is 1337. Who needs anything more?”. Errmm, everyone?
The Wii remote was a set, but it was flawed, from missing buttons and no clickable analog on the nunchuck, and some people dont like motion control, although i think those people only played Wii sports, and yeah, the Motion+ shouldve been there from the start but it opened things up.
There’s possibilites no-ones even mentioned with the gamepad. You could use it in ways that seem obvious, and ones that arent, like using the build in gyro similar to how Skyward Sword and Red Steel 2 did for pointer/aim controls, basically giving you free movement, free aim AND free camera.
Takes time for ideas to flourish.
About the free aim, this is already used in ZombiU when you use a scope weapon (and it’s fucking amazing), as well as in Metroid’s attraction in NintendoLand (which also uses the wiimote free aim feature you’re just talking about), and… it’s also fucking amazing.
I love the GamePad.
“…And on our side, Rayman will be one of them for sure. We really expect Rayman to be a huge system seller on the console.”
Yeah…then it became multi-platform…
Wii U still has the definitive version.
It’s not the first time Nintendo introduced new hardware and expected third parties to exploit it. But historically, Nintendo consoles were sold by first-party IP (Mario games, Animal Crossing), with few notable exceptions (Super Street Fighter, the Monster Hunter series). That’s because not only they created the hardware, they also have the creative pool which is necessary to exploit it.
Let’s face it: WiiU is not a very interesting console at the moment, with basically just one Nintendo Game (NSMB) and ZombiU, plus a number of almost completely uninteresting games. I bought both previous generations’ Nintendo home consoles at launch, and I haven’t been disappointed (well, a bit with Wii’s launch lineup, to be honest), but I’m waiting to see what happens with WiiU. I won’t be partying with my money before Nintendo releases some killer application like Pikmin 3. Classics like Pilotwings and F-Zero might be worth considering. Besides, Luigi’s mansion 2 is due out on 3DS this thursday. I can wait…
Well put, now give us rayman you faggots
Yea, Ubisoft angered a lot of people, including the developers, when they delayed Rayman Legends. That was one main reason my wife bought the the wii u in the first place. We both have always loved Nintendo.That name alone always brings back some great memories for us. About the Wii U, in my opinion, I think that the gamepad idea was a very smart idea. There are so many possibilities that can be achieved with that. As far as the Wii U’s hardware performance goes, I don’t think it shouldn’t matter if it is more or less powerful than current or next gen (PS4, Durango/720) systems. Dispite the hardware running the game, It should be about new and innovative ways to experience fun and entertaining games that can capture the hearts of so many people. Nintendo has been in this business for a very long time, and I have to believe they know what they are doing. It’s going to take time for the Wii U to grow, but I believe it will eventually become a successful system in the future, once more great titles are released, and Nintendo has more hands on time with the Wii U, to improve the system and its capabilities, overall, pushing it to its limits. :)
I don’t understand why people keep talking about Rayman Legends being the game that will make Wii U consoles sell. Not for people like me. I have no interest in that game. Pikmin 3 is the game I’m buying a Wii U for when it comes out. I’m also excited about the Wind Waker remake that’s coming. Plus the announced Smash Bros. and Mario games etc. THOSE are the console-selling games.
In february it could be the game that will make Wii U consoles sell, but in september, as a multi platform game, obviously it will not.
Agreed.
I don’t think Nintendo should focus on the Gamepad alone, but on all of Wii U’s unique features and games that use them. But most importantly, we need games. The console may cook for you and wash the dishes but ultimately its all about the games.
People need to stop beig so pissey! Just buy freaking Rayman Legends! The game looks and IS awesome! I was very impressed with the demo. Outstanding hand drawn art, a sense of humor and a new cast of characters. Plus it is great family fun! The game is and will be a huge success. Definitely STILL a system seller, despite the unnecessary delay.
Kind of shot yourselves in the ass with the Rayman situation. Other than that, I agree with him. Most likely it will take one of Nintendo’s major franchises to show people the true power of the GamePad. Leave luck to heaven.
i won’t be buying Rayman for my WiiU i was going to buy it until it was delayed.
Then why do we have to wait for Rayman Legends?
Well at least ubisoft understands how innovative the wii u is, unlike some OTHER companies
.
HOW THIS NEEDS EXPLAINING IS TOTALLY STUPID TO ME ITS COMMONSENSE I HAVNT PUT MINE DOWN SINCE RELEASE DAY IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE COMBINED WITH WII REMOTES IS JUST PERFECTION
The GamePad is an incredible controller. I have three roommates and out of the four of us, two like the idea but wait for games that utilise its uniqueness more audaciously, one really likes it and was already convinced by the use NintendoLand makes of it, and the last (me) has fallen in love with it.
From browsing the internet to typing on Miiverse, from being the only one who sees the ghost in Luigi’s NintendoLand attraction to picking locks in ZombiU, I absolutely love this piece of technology.
Ubi made a great job with ZombiU (still some flaws, but hopefully, a sequel will settle them straight), so I sure have high hopes for the upcoming Ubi titles on Wii U.
Ubisoft don’t realise the best selling point of this gamepad, so they obvioulsy don’t understand the technology either. There are obvious ways it can be used as someone has already posted, We’re working on an indie game now I’m hoping will exploit this obvious oversight but I dare say there will be an whole pile of games released soon that will fill the gap.
Pingback: Datel Japan To Release Slick Famicom Faceplate For Wii U GamePad | My Nintendo News