Speaking with GamesTM (#128), former employee Steve Ellis told the magazine that the game “was in the very early stages of development” at the time. Unfortunately, publishers weren’t too interested in the project.

“TimeSplitters 4 was in the very early stages of development when Free Radical went into administration. A small playable demo was shown to several publishers, but it didn’t attract any publishing deals.”

Another former staffer and current Crytek UK managing director, Karl Hilton, also spoke with the magazine regarding the lack of interest for TimeSplitters 4. At the time, publishers had been skeptical due to the reception of Haze and concerns about how the title will be sold.

Hilton said publishers relayed the message “that you can’t market a game that is based around a diverse set of characters and environments – you need a clear and easily communicated marketing message, and TimeSplitters doesn’t have one.”

“We pitched it to a lot of publishers, and from each of them we got the same two responses. Firstly, they would ask what happened with Haze. We were the company that made a series of high-rated shooters and then we had released Haze, which wasn’t as well received. This worried them. Secondly, their marketing person would say something alone the lines of, ‘I don’t know how to sell this.’ The unanimous opinion among all publishers that we pitched TimeSplitters 4 to is that you can’t market a game that is based around a diverse set of characters and environments – you need a clear and easily communicated marketing message, and TimeSplitters doesn’t have one. Perhaps they are all right. Perhaps this is why the previous games in the series achieved much more critical success than commercial success. For these reasons, one by one they all declined to sign the project.”

Thanks to joclo for the tip.

A little insight into Nintendo Network’s $0.50 charge for minor registration

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

To register a child on Wii U’s Nintendo Network, you have to fork over a $0.50. Hoping to receive some clarification as to why this fee is necessary, a console owner sent in a message to Nintendo’s customer support.

According to a representative, the free is in place “so that parents have the chance to see the payment on their credit card statement, and to alert Nintendo if consent was improperly provided.” The rep also reconfirmed that the $0.50 charge is a one-time payment. Registering additional minors won’t cost you anything.

“…I can certainly understand your concerns regarding the $0.50 charge applied to verify a minor’s account through the Nintendo Network. I can tell you that this is a one-time fee to verify that a parent or guardian has provided consent. This one-time payment is a commonly used and accepted parental control method required so that parents have the chance to see the payment on their credit card statement, and to alert Nintendo if consent was improperly provided. It may be worth noting that if you have any other children who wish to create an account, once the first child’s account has been set up you will not be charged again. Your parental control PIN is all that is required to set up additional child accounts.”

Source

Trailers of this week’s Nintendo Downloads (11/22/12)

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, DSiWare, Videos | 0 comments

3DS XL Circle Pad Pro images

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Images | 0 comments

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Standard definition (4:3) TVs can’t do Gamepad/TV splitscreen in Black Ops 2, but Off-TV play works fine

Posted on 12 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

So here’s something unfortunate I came across while struggling to figure out why me and Jack couldn’t play Black Ops 2 splitscreen between the TV and Gamepad online: The game won’t let you use that feature unless you have an HDTV! I’m sure it has more to do with the aspect ratio (16:9 vs 4:3) than it does the fact that the TV is high definition, but it’s not good to hear nonetheless.

For clarification, I played GPTV (new acronym: Gamepad/TV) splitscreen a couple of nights ago just fine on a 16:9 screen. Tried today on a 4:3 screen and it didn’t work. Brought down my 16:9 TV, tried it again, and it worked. I’d rather not have to switch back and forth just because I want to use one of the key features of the Wii U version!

Rumor: Nintendo to release Wii mini console

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Rumors, Wii | 0 comments

The Wii may be getting another, smaller redesign. Rumor has it that a “major retailer” is listing the Wii mini console in its internal release schedule.

Assuming this is true, the updated system would release on December 7 – that’s in two weeks.

Introducing the Wii Mini! Coming Dec 7 2012!
WII MINI CONSOLE
Compact Nintendo Wii Console
Comes with Sensor Bar, Nunchuk and Wii Remote Plus with Jacket.

Source

UK retailers: Wii U already selling out

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Numerous UK retailers are reporting Wii U sell-outs at their shops a week before the console hits the territory.

Pre-orders have been high, which doesn’t leave much inventory for remaining stock. MCV writes that “some retailers have told us their already taken orders against future Wii U shipments.”

HMV may be the one bright spot in terms of available inventory. The retailer apparently obtained some extra stock for its midnight launch.

Source

Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper footage

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 0 comments

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ZombiU demo will be available before December 15

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U, Wii U eShop | 0 comments

We have a slightly better idea as to when the ZombiU demo will be available. One of the game’s developer has confirmed that the download will be hitting the Wii U eShop before December 15.

Let’s hope the Rayman Legends demo will also be out by then…

Source, Via