“While we have had a solid start to the year, we now believe that the risks and uncertainties in the back half of 2013 are more challenging than our earlier view, especially in the holiday quarter. The shift in release dates of competing products, the disappointing launch of the Wii U, uncertainties regarding next-generation hardware, and subscriber declines in our World of Warcraft business all raise concerns, as do continued challenges in the global economy.”

A few months ago, Kotick stated that Activision was “somewhat disappointed” with the Wii U’s initial sales. Kotick’s mind hasn’t changed, based on today’s comments.

Source

Precursor CEO talks being laid off, and how that turned into ‘Shadow of the Eternals’

Posted on 11 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in General Gaming, News, Wii U | 0 comments

“As many people can relate, being laid off is an emotionally distressing experience. When this happened to me, I was determined to turn this toward more positive ends. I began reaching out to others to see if they were interested in starting something brand new, using lessons learned from past experiences.
Denis Dyack was my first choice for Creative, as he has a keen understanding on the creative aspects of game development. It saddens me to read that people’s impressions of him are painted by anonymous accounts of other individuals. I’ve known Denis for 10 years now, and from first hand experience I consider him to be one of the most honourable people I know, and undeserving of the amount of negative accusations he receives.”

“I knew Shawn Jackson’s attention to detail, enthusiasm and experience would really balance our management team as Chief Operating Officer. The rest of the Precursor team is equally talented, and I’m amazed by the results we’ve achieved with our demo. Precursor Games has been built from the ground up to do something new, and we are excited to show and work with you on our first project—‘Shadows of the Eternals’.”

– Precursor Games CEO Paul Caporicci

It sounds like they’re definitely passionate about this project, but I’m still concerned that the likes of Dyack and Caporicci have gotten themselves into a bit of an Epic Mickey, trying to create something behind which there is far too much creative passion and not enough technical understanding. That being said, the company has said that they’re in regular contact with Nintendo about the project, and if anyone has a technical understanding of game design, it’s the Big N!

Via Siliconera

Wii U getting Injustice DLC after all, set for summer

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Podcast Stories, Wii U | 0 comments

According to the official Injustice: Gods Among Us Twitter account, downloadable content is coming to the Wii U version after all. DLC is expected to arrive this summer. That’s fairly surprising – to say the least – given recent statements from Warner Bros.

Here’s the tweet in full:

@secroner We expect DLC for the Wii U version of Injustice: Gods Among Us to be available this summer. Stay tuned for more details.
— InjusticeGame (@InjusticeGame) May 8, 2013

It’s nice to finally have a confirmation that the Wii U will be getting Injustice DLC, but you have to wonder why this content wasn’t out alongside the other versions. Hopefully these kinds of situations won’t crop up as often going forward…

Source

Media Create hardware sales (4/29 – 5/5)

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii, Wii U | 0 comments

The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:

3DS LL – 50,190
3DS – 26,273
Vita – 22,051
PS3 – 17,415
Wii U – 13,173
PSP – 8,443
Wii – 2,238
Xbox 360 – 596

For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:

3DS LL – 37,536
Vita – 21,399
3DS – 17,897
PS3 – 14,682
Wii U – 8,262
PSP – 7,536
Wii – 1,660
Xbox 360 – 490

Just Cause dev has no Wii U plans, says dev kits are collecting dust and install base is too small

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Chances are that we won’t be seeing any games from Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios on the Wii U anytime soon.

In an interview with Norwegian site PressFire, founder Christofer Sundberg said that his only dealings with the console is through Skylanders Giants, which his children play. Although Avalanche does have a Wii U dev kit in its possession, it’s collecting dust, and the company doesn’t have any Wii U plans. The console’s install base is too small, according to Sundberg.

Sundberg also noted that it has been difficult to get in touch with and cooperate with Nintendo. It was only through Avalanche’s publisher that the studio was able to get through.

Sundberg finished by giving some advice to Nintendo: reach out to developers like Sony.

“I think Nintendo has much to gain by going the same way as Sony, by stretching out a hand to the developers so as to include even more, says Sundberg. If it happened, would be developing felt more enthusiasm, and perhaps had wanted to make something cool and good. In Nintendo’s case, it could have acted on the use of GamePad controller for the Wii U. – roughly translated Sundberg quote”

Source

Scans roundup – Etrian Odyssey, Puzzles & Dragons Z, Resident Evil: Revelations, Youkai Watch

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Images, Wii U | 0 comments

Thanks to Mo for the tip.

Splinter Cell Blacklist video – Spies vs. Mercs | Old Meets New

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 0 comments

Splinter Cell: Blacklist screenshots/art

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Screenshots, Wii U | 0 comments

Splinter Cell: Blacklist – Spies vs. Mercs, co-op details

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Update: Added co-op details.

Ubisoft recently held a press event to show off the latest from Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Along with a main Spies vs. Mercs multiplayer mode, the game will also offer a “Classic” alternative. Details about both of these items can be found below.

Spies vs. Mercs

– Play as a spy in third-person view or merc in first-person
– Player count doubled
– Four mercs against four spies
– Includes customization
– Three terminals spread out across a map to be hacked or protected
– Still has the split between the hunters and the hunted
– Can create loadouts from scratch
– Unlock the ability to create these loadouts
– Also a number of presets spread across recognizable classes
– Spies have a saboteur who can disrupt enemy equipment, an intel scout who can tag enemy’s whereabouts and a predator who can disappear out of sight thanks to a digital ghillie suit
– Mercs have a hunter who’s access to a UAV drone that’s got the ability to detonate on demand, a powerful peacemaker who’s in the tank role and a disruptor who can deactivate the spy’s own electronic devices
– Spies vs. Mercs Classic takes away customization
– Also brings the player count down to two-on-two encounters
– Has a larger emphasis on the play between light and shadow as well

Ubisoft Shanghai working on Splinter Cell: Blacklist for Wii U

Posted on 11 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is primarily developed by Ubisoft Toronto. But for the Wii U version, Ubisoft pegged its Shangai studio, the same team behind Pandora Tomorrow and I Am Alive.

Blacklist creative director Maxime Beland wouldn’t discuss the Wii U version during a recent press event, but did say the following:

“We have amazing brands, and if we make great games on all the platforms people will be happy. As long as the quality’s there and the game is fun it’s going to work or have a chance of working.”

Beland added:

“What I like about what we’re doing with the Wii U is that Splinter Cell’s always about gadgets, and with the controller it’s a natural extension. It’s interesting on that side for sure, because we didn’t have to invent new ways of interacting with the game to support the hardware. It just makes sense.”

While Ubisoft Shangai will devote a good chunk of its resources to Blacklist’s Wii U version, it is also wkring on the game’s co-op modes for all versions.

Source