Activision Blizzard chief executive Bobby Kotick says that the company's Wii development strategy has been off the mark and that it's going to throw more weight behind the market-leading platform.
"In the past we approached the Wii as an extension of what we were doing on PlayStation and the Xbox and I think we can do a better job of creating original content for the Wii, and I think you'll see more of that this year," he said.
Kotick added that he'd like to see the platform holders drop console prices to the sweet spot of $199 to drive mass-market adoption, although he's not anticipating such a move.
"The price on platforms today has still not gotten down to mass-market price points and I think when you're in the economic circumstances that the world has found itself in, there really is a difference between a $199 game system and a $299 game system," he told Reuters.
In the States the Arcade 360 currently retails for $199.99, but the next cheapest console is Wii at $249.99.
Its got to be said that most of the big publishers have been total idiots so far this generation.
Most of them have pretty much ignored the machine that has sold by far and away the most consoles. I cant ever remember the highest selling console getting the worst third party support happening before.
Then you get people from EA coming out and complaining they havent sold enough! Its crazy. If they made a few decent game for the Wii rather than diluting their main franchises then maybe they will see sales jump up.
The recession should see publishers want to develop more for the Wii. Its much cheaper and quicker than the other consoles, the install base is much higher and a good majority of the 'casual' audience will see games as a money saver in a 'save money with entertainment at home' kind of way.
I just wish Nintendo would sort out the friend code thing and try to come up with some kind of achievement/trophy system. Its not the most important thing in the world, but they make games last longer for me.
I hope they do not simply release optimised wii versions of their games. Wii has a unique controller and developers should be making the most of this by coming up with original ideas not just porting motion control to an otherwise normal game.
@FANBOY, I totally agree with the friend code system. It would be ok if the friend code was for all games rather than on a per/game basis. It would be nice to see if friends were online when you turn the console on much like PSN and Live.
@FANBOY, I totally agree with the friend code system. It would be ok if the friend code was for all games rather than on a per/game basis. It would be nice to see if friends were online when you turn the console on much like PSN and Live.
The Wiis online system is largely a joke. 30 seconds with PSN or Xbox Live just goes to show you how woeful the Wii is in this regard.
Friend codes are a terrible idea - what idiot thought this was in ANY WAY good?
@FANBOY, I totally agree with the friend code system. It would be ok if the friend code was for all games rather than on a per/game basis. It would be nice to see if friends were online when you turn the console on much like PSN and Live.
The Wiis online system is largely a joke. 30 seconds with PSN or Xbox Live just goes to show you how woeful the Wii is in this regard.
Friend codes are a terrible idea - what idiot thought this was in ANY WAY good?
I agree completely. In an attempt to make it more safe they have completely buggered it up. It would have been better if they had made it so a parental control could be enabled which only allowed parents to add friends. Then leave it open for the rest of us to enjoy. However when I do connect with wii online it is always smooth and practically lag free. Just a shame it is not as fully featured as standard compared to Live and PSN.
Its got to be said that most of the big publishers have been total idiots so far this generation.
Most of them have pretty much ignored the machine that has sold by far and away the most consoles. I cant ever remember the highest selling console getting the worst third party support happening before.
Then you get people from EA coming out and complaining they havent sold enough! Its crazy. If they made a few decent game for the Wii rather than diluting their main franchises then maybe they will see sales jump up.
The recession should see publishers want to develop more for the Wii. Its much cheaper and quicker than the other consoles, the install base is much higher and a good majority of the 'casual' audience will see games as a money saver in a 'save money with entertainment at home' kind of way.
I just wish Nintendo would sort out the friend code thing and try to come up with some kind of achievement/trophy system. Its not the most important thing in the world, but they make games last longer for me.
I don't know, the PS2 was a top-selling console & most often 3rd party games looked a bit rough alongside their XBox/Gamecube equivelants.
Capcom are as guilty as anyone - their Resi-game alongside 5 is alleged to be a Code Veronica Remake. Once again Wii owners are treated like second class citizens, 360 & PS3 get the latest iteration, the Wii just a spin-off remake.
Seems odd that they could convert Resident Evil 4 for the PS2 but not Resident Evil 5 for the Wii?
I don't know, the PS2 was a top-selling console & most often 3rd party games looked a bit rough alongside their XBox/Gamecube equivelants.
Capcom are as guilty as anyone - their Resi-game alongside 5 is alleged to be a Code Veronica Remake. Once again Wii owners are treated like second class citizens, 360 & PS3 get the latest iteration, the Wii just a spin-off remake.
Seems odd that they could convert Resident Evil 4 for the PS2 but not Resident Evil 5 for the Wii?
You're making a judgement based purely on internet fanboy speculation. I'd suggest not jumping the gun by pushing ill will in Capcom's direction. They should be one of the least of thrid party targets for that.
Look at Ubisoft, and this is after making comments just like the one this article is based on.
Capcom are as guilty as anyone - their Resi-game alongside 5 is alleged to be a Code Veronica Remake. Once again Wii owners are treated like second class citizens, 360 & PS3 get the latest iteration, the Wii just a spin-off remake.
Seems odd that they could convert Resident Evil 4 for the PS2 but not Resident Evil 5 for the Wii?
Capcom are as guilty as anyone - their Resi-game alongside 5 is alleged to be a Code Veronica Remake. Once again Wii owners are treated like second class citizens, 360 & PS3 get the latest iteration, the Wii just a spin-off remake.
Seems odd that they could convert Resident Evil 4 for the PS2 but not Resident Evil 5 for the Wii?
Not so bad - Code Veronica was awesome.
I agree, if a little long-in-the-tooth. I can only hope its something good, if CV related.
Nice to hear, developers are starting to see sense now.
I expect the next COD to be on the Wii, the engine already runs well on the system, and hopefully this time the game will measure up the other console versions.
I'd suggest not jumping the gun by pushing ill will in Capcom's direction. They should be one of the least of thrid party targets for that.
I wouldn't go that far, they have made plenty of mistakes (crap like Dead Rising, lazy ports, lack of support with games that could easily transfer to the Wii like RE5). If the next Resi is a spin-off or an an old game (unless it is a very, very good remake), they have had it.
@ WHERESMYMONKEY - Resident Evil 4 was ported to the PlayStation 2 after Capcom stated that it did not fall under the exclusivity deal with Nintendo. It was released in Europe on November 4, 2005 (8 months after the Game Cube version).
Critics felt that the PlayStation 2 version's graphics were inferior to the graphics in the GameCube version, however some felt that the exclusive features made up for these shortcomings.
IGN Review - "Resident Evil 4 offered up absolutely stunning visuals on GameCube. While skeptics may have chattered it couldn't be pulled off on the PlayStation 2, they will now find themselves eating their words. Well, mostly. The beautiful art direction of RE4 is kept intact, and while there have been sacrifices on the PS2, they are minor -- just like any other indiscretions in the game. Textures have been dumbed down and lighting, a relatively big player, is not quite as impressive! ...There are signs of porting, it's true; for example, high contrast areas where light and dark plays off of each other are slightly less moody. This is only apparent to those that played it on GameCube!"
I wouldn't go that far, they have made plenty of mistakes (crap like Dead Rising, lazy ports, lack of support with games that could easily transfer to the Wii like RE5).
I'm sorry, did I miss something? They could 'easily transfer Resident Evil 5 to the Wii'? You must have that processor, RAM and graphics card expansion pack...
I'm aware of this. But why would they port the PS2 version, the gamecube has 100% comaptibilty with the system.
The wii version is a supped up port of the GC version. Its why it looks so much better in comparison to the PS2 one, which in my opinion was utter s**t comapred to the GC one.
I'm aware of this. But why would they port the PS2 version, the gamecube has 100% comaptibilty with the system.
The wii version is a supped up port of the GC version. Its why it looks so much better in comparison to the PS2 one, which in my opinion was utter s**t comapred to the GC one.
Sorry we seem to have got our wires crossed. I beleive what dodgy1 was saying is that if they can port and downgrade Resi 4 from Cube to the inferior and dated PS2 then why not Resi 5 to Wii. I thought you were saying the PS2 version was better... thought it was strange as I normally have very similar views to your own.
A Resi 5 downgrade would be awful though, just look at Dead Rising and the warning signs are there! An ugly RE5, with worse AI and no online co-op (voice chat) is a fail from the offset!
I wouldn't go that far, they have made plenty of mistakes (crap like Dead Rising, lazy ports, lack of support with games that could easily transfer to the Wii like RE5).
I'm sorry, did I miss something? They could 'easily transfer Resident Evil 5 to the Wii'? You must have that processor, RAM and graphics card expansion pack...
Not at all. Are you trying to tell me that RE5 is anything but a suped up version of RE4? The AI is the same, some of the animations are recycled, the physics are the same, the scale and number of enemy models is the similar, the gameplay is nearly the same.
The game may look worse but it would be perfectly intact, and it would control better.
I wouldn't go that far, they have made plenty of mistakes (crap like Dead Rising, lazy ports, lack of support with games that could easily transfer to the Wii like RE5).
I'm sorry, did I miss something? They could 'easily transfer Resident Evil 5 to the Wii'? You must have that processor, RAM and graphics card expansion pack...
Not at all. Are you trying to tell me that RE5 is anything but a suped up version of RE4? The AI is the same, some of the animations are recycled, the physics are the same, the scale and number of enemy models is the similar, the gameplay is nearly the same.
The game may look worse but it would be perfectly intact, and it would control better.
We are both working on assumptions here, but I imagine that at least scale and number of enemy models are greatly increased in this iteration. Until we have both played it, it is pure conjecture.
ah... now i'm with ya. I totally agree that it would be possible to scale resi 5 back for the wii. It would utterly suck though.
I bring to the stand my first witness. Dead Rising.
Awesome game made rediculously mediocre by the process. The same would happen to resi 5.
Personally i'd rather have a remake of code veronica or 2. At least it'd be tailor made for the wii from the ground up. How wii games should be made.
they should also ditch using the resi 4 engine on the wii and make something better especuially for it. It did wonders on the GC but the wii although similar is at least twice as powerful.
they should also ditch using the resi 4 engine on the wii and make something better especially for it. It did wonders on the GC but the wii although similar is at least twice as powerful.
i mentioned this on another board but if they're gonna remake a resi they should use the resi 4 prototype engine as a start point,it looked better than the finished game: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/7188.html
i followed it in cube (the magazine) for ages and couldn't believe it was in game.
oh yeah,if anyone's interested. cod waw:wii edition has had it's online playlists expanded. still no domination or daylight makin level off the back of the box though.
they should also ditch using the resi 4 engine on the wii and make something better especially for it. It did wonders on the GC but the wii although similar is at least twice as powerful.
i mentioned this on another board but if they're gonna remake a resi they should use the resi 4 prototype engine as a start point,it looked better than the finished game: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/7188.html
i followed it in cube (the magazine) for ages and couldn't believe it was in game.
I'd completely forgotten how cool that looked. Far closer to the original Resi - and lots of familiar Resi 4 music too
Its got to be said that most of the big publishers have been total idiots so far this generation.
Most of them have pretty much ignored the machine that has sold by far and away the most consoles. I cant ever remember the highest selling console getting the worst third party support happening before.
Then you get people from EA coming out and complaining they havent sold enough! Its crazy. If they made a few decent game for the Wii rather than diluting their main franchises then maybe they will see sales jump up.
The recession should see publishers want to develop more for the Wii. Its much cheaper and quicker than the other consoles, the install base is much higher and a good majority of the 'casual' audience will see games as a money saver in a 'save money with entertainment at home' kind of way.
I just wish Nintendo would sort out the friend code thing and try to come up with some kind of achievement/trophy system. Its not the most important thing in the world, but they make games last longer for me.
I don't know, the PS2 was a top-selling console & most often 3rd party games looked a bit rough alongside their XBox/Gamecube equivelants.
Capcom are as guilty as anyone - their Resi-game alongside 5 is alleged to be a Code Veronica Remake. Once again Wii owners are treated like second class citizens, 360 & PS3 get the latest iteration, the Wii just a spin-off remake.
Seems odd that they could convert Resident Evil 4 for the PS2 but not Resident Evil 5 for the Wii?
Yeah but the point is that the PS2 got the the third party games.
The Wii has missed out on all the top franchises and has still sold more systems than any other. Its so wierd.
No GTA, No Devil May Cry, No COD4, no Resident Evil 5. Yet it still sells more than anything else - its a staggering achievement.
The Wii has missed out on all the top franchises and has still sold more systems than any other. Its so wierd.
It is a case of developers not wanting to eat humble pie, and the fact that with HD games, the production process is just so long that these games were finalized ages ago.
We are both working on assumptions here, but I imagine that at least scale and number of enemy models are greatly increased in this iteration. Until we have both played it, it is pure conjecture.
Very true but hear me out. The Gamecube version of RE4 had a cap of 24 ganados at once, and we have no reason to believe that RE5 has a larger number than that (they opted to give them guns instead). The game isn't very long, and the village wasn't as overwhelming as was once seen in the trailers.
ah... now i'm with ya. I totally agree that it would be possible to scale resi 5 back for the wii. It would utterly suck though.
I bring to the stand my first witness. Dead Rising.
Awesome game made rediculously mediocre by the process. The same would happen to resi 5.
Dead Rising Wii was shovelware, Capcom took the original and squeezed it onto the PS2 build of RE4 which isn't designed for such things, the Mario 128 tech demo craps all over it. If they had done the same with RE5 it would have at least worked.
It isn't too much of a stretch to say that the Wii can achieve the same results as the other consoles at 480p, although that requires some actual effort...
The Wii is a generation behind in it's graphical capabilities. Developers will just have to develop original games for it. There developing a dead space game for the horrid game, again I ask you whats the point?
April 1st : Killzone 2 being developed for the Wii, Guerilla have asked EA to port it. An EA coder has been quoted as saying 'there will need to be some comprises for the gamecu.. oh no sorry wii'. Texture resolution, frame rate, sound Fx, level structure etc..
Please someone just strap a grenade to Mario and duct tape him to a wii.. Enough of the delusions wii owners.
The Wii is a generation behind in it's graphical capabilities.
Even though it is far more powerful than anything last generation?
Developers will just have to develop original games for it. There developing a dead space game for the horrid game, again I ask you whats the point?
You do know that Dead Space IS an original game don't you? It is meant to be a compliment to the first one.
Although you are probably blown away with the notion that the Wii could handle Resi 4 in space...
April 1st : Killzone 2 being developed for the Wii, Guerilla have asked EA to port it. An EA coder has been quoted as saying 'there will need to be some comprises for the gamecu.. oh no sorry wii'. Texture resolution, frame rate, sound Fx, level structure etc..
No silly, Killzone is first party. Keep up man!
Please someone just strap a grenade to Mario and duct tape him to a wii.. Enough of the delusions wii owners.
Boom!
Blow up a fictional character that was in a resoundingly beautiful game which ran at 60 frames, unlike Killzone 2. Now who is deluded.
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