It’s almost natural these days to bring up the idea of “risk” with Wii development based on the sales of some of the more standout titles. With some of the more recent NPD reports, Wii owners have to hold their breath since there’s always a rather big chance that the sales of that particular game will be disappointing. Senior Producer of Spyborgs, Daryl Allison, has commented on success of recent mature titles on Nintendo’s console and explains that Spyborgs is considered to be a risk.
“To answer your first question about the risk, you guys wouldn’t be asking me if it wasn’t an obvious risk. The numbers say it’s a little more challenging to, as a third-party, break out and have a hit on the Wii. That’s a given. I guess you could say I’m not surprised that recent mature-rated games on the Nintendo platforms, of which I can think of two, I’m not going to name them because I don’t want to be offensive to anyone… it’s disappointing that they didn’t succeed, but I don’t think anyone expected them to. At least for the Wii, based on the market data, you can look on the games that sell for the Wii, there’s nothing anywhere close to mature-rated content that sells well. You could sit back and hope a hardcore game would release for the Wii and succeed and blaze that trail…”
“I am confident that this game is meeting the fans’ expectations. For the original Punch-Out!! fans, they can have this nostalgic feeling when they play this game for the first time. And new Wii players with the new unique Wii motion will enjoy this game with a more intuitive control…It will meet the expectations of the old fans as well as have an appeal for new users.” – Kensuke Tanabe, Nintendo producer
I’m absolutely loving what we’ve seen of Punch-Out!! and the game does indeed look to be meeting fans’ expectations. So guys, with only a few weeks before release, how do you feel about the game?
SAN FRANCISCO – May 13, 2009 – Today Ubisoft® announced that it will launch a new title in the Might & Magic universe. Might & Magic Clash of Heroes, a puzzle RPG that was developed by Capybara Games, creators of award-winning handheld and mobile games, will be available on Nintendo DSTM and it will be released in August 2009.
Through five unique and epic quests, players will alternate exploration and turn-based puzzle battles in the game to save the world of Ashan from demonic chaos. Might & Magic Clash of Heroes also adopts a brand new manga-style art design that is perfectly suited to Nintendo DS. In a world populated by knights, elves, wizards, necromancers and demons, gamers can manage their own hero, customize their army and lead campaigns in the mythic Might & Magic world.
– those that purchase early in Japan will get one of three monster figurines
– rumble-compatible Classic Controller Pro pack for 8490 yen
– limited edition contents: DVD showing ‘making-of’ footage and a the complete orchestra session that was held last week, plus more goodies that are yet to be revealed
– volcano-themed field announced
– New character: Chacha – tribal character that helps you out in single player
Social Media Campaign Helps Launch Vampire Adventure Second Half 2009
LANGHORNE, Pa., May 13, 2009 – Casual games developer and publisher eGames, Inc. (Pink Sheets: EGAM) today announced the ongoing development of The Dracula Files, a new hidden object adventure game franchise pitting a new generation of vampire hunters against the resurrected lord of the undead. With an anticipated launch in late summer 2009, versions of the first installment of The Dracula Files are currently planned for PC, Nintendo DS™, and Wii™.
“We are extremely pleased with the level of enthusiasm our publishing and portal partners have expressed for The Dracula Files since introducing early versions of the game at the Game Developers Conference,” said eGames VP Sales and Marketing Rich Siporin. “We look forward to sharing the game’s progress with casual game fans everywhere through our social media campaign.”
Readers’ Most Wanted
1. Earthbound (SNES)
2. Mother (NES/Japan only)
3. Final Fantasy VI (SNES)
4. Terranigma (SNES/Europe & Japan)
5. Final Fantasy IV (SNES)
NP Staff’s Most Wanted
1. Terranigma (SNES/Europe & Japan)
2. Final Fantasy VI (SNES)
3. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (N64)
4. Earthbound (SNES)
5. Soul Blazer (SNES)
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 13, 2009 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), and Nickelodeon today announced a global partnership where the two companies will create an all-new videogame based on the number-one live-action kids’ television show iCarly. Releasing internationally this Fall, the videogame will bring the interactive elements from the series to WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM for the first time.
“iCarly is a groundbreaking show that encourages viewers to contribute content of their own,” said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. “This game is a natural extension of that creativity, and allows players to interact with the characters they know and love through a variety of different ways, any time they like.”
GoldenEye 007 is one of the most revered Nintendo 64 classics. Many Wii owners would love to see the game hit the VC service, there’s a good chance that may never happen. Martin Hollis admitted to the Official Nintendo Magazine that legal issues could prevent 007 from arriving on the Wii Shop Channel.
“There’s always someone with some exclusivity agreement, so there’s lots of lawyers… I’m not going to hold my breath. I’d love it to happen, but I can’t see it.”
