As of late, there’s been a lot of talk about the status of Watch Dogs on Wii U, with the game possibly facing cancellation on Nintendo’s console. The game’s issues may actually extend into more general territory, however.

One member on NeoGAF detected that Ubisoft has filed an express abandonment for Watch Dogs’ primary US trademark application, serial number 85642398, which is associated with the following:

Game software and electronic game programs, namely, software games recorded on CD-ROM and digital video discs for computers; software games recorded on CD-ROMs, digital video discs, and cartridges for console and individual, portable gaming systems; software games that are downloadable from a remote computer site and electronic game software for mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and handheld computers

I honestly don’t think that Ubisoft could be cancelling Watch Dogs at this point, but you never know. A name change would certainly make more sense. Isn’t it about time for Ubisoft to begin giving some clear cut answers as to what’s going on with the game?

Source

More: top, trademark, Ubisoft, Watch Dogs

UK software sales (Week ending 2/1)

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments

This week’s UK software sales are as follows:

Individual formats

LW	TW	Title	Format	Label	Publisher
–	1	TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION	PS4	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
1	2	FIFA 14	PS4	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
2	3	MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	XB360	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
–	4	TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION	XB ONE	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
7	5	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	XB360	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
5	6	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	PS4	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
3	7	KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL	PS4	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
4	8	FIFA 14	XB360	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
8	9	BATTLEFIELD 4	PS4	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
6	10	FIFA 14	XB ONE	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
19	11	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	PS3	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
11	12	LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	XB360	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
21	13	GRAN TURISMO 6	PS3	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
10	14	BATTLEFIELD 4	XB ONE	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
9	15	FIFA 14	PS3	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
16	16	GRAND THEFT AUTO V	XB360	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
12	17	ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	PS4	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
14	18	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	XB ONE	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
18	19	FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014	PC	SEGA	SEGA
13	20	GRAND THEFT AUTO V	PS3	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
17	21	FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
15	22	BATTLEFIELD 4	XB360	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
23	23	NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	PS4	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
24	24	LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	PS4	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
30	25	LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	PS3	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
22	26	DEAD RISING 3	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
20	27	MARIO PARTY: ISLAND TOUR	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
33	28	WWE 2K14	XB360	2K SPORTS	TAKE 2
27	29	KNACK	PS4	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
26	30	BATTLEFIELD 4	PS3	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
32	31	RYSE: SON OF ROME	XB ONE	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
25	32	ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	XB360	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
34	33	ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	XB ONE	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
37	34	THE LAST OF US	PS3	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
29	35	NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	XB360	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
–	36	ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
35	37	ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	XB360	SEGA	SEGA
39	38	POKEMON Y	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
–	39	POKEMON X	3DS	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
–	40	TOMB RAIDER	XB360	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE

All formats

LW	TW	Title	Developer	Label	Publisher
–	1	TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION	CRYSTAL DYNAMICS	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
1	2	FIFA 14	EA CANADA	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
2	3	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	INFINITY WARD	ACTIVISION	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
3	4	BATTLEFIELD 4	DIGITAL ILLUSIONS	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
4	5	LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
5	6	ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	UBISOFT (MONTREAL)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
6	7	MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	4J STUDIOS	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
8	8	GRAND THEFT AUTO V	ROCKSTAR NORTH	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
9	9	NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	GHOST GAMES	EA GAMES	ELECTRONIC ARTS
7	10	KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL	GUERRILLA GAMES	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
18	11	GRAN TURISMO 6	POLYPHONY DIGITAL	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
11	12	NBA 2K14	VISUAL CONCEPTS	2K SPORTS	TAKE 2
15	13	WWE 2K14	YUKE’S	2K SPORTS	TAKE 2
13	14	FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014	SPORTS INTERACTIVE	SEGA	SEGA
12	15	FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	TURN 10 STUDIOS	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
14	16	ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	GEARBOX SOFTWARE	SEGA	SEGA
19	17	LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
24	18	DISNEY INFINITY	AVALANCHE SOFTWARE	DISNEY INFINITY	DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
20	19	BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS	WB GAMES MONTREAL	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
10	20	DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF Z	ARTDINK	NAMCO BANDAI GAMES	NAMCO BANDAI GAMES
21	21	DEAD RISING 3	CAPCOM VANCOUVER	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
26	22	SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCE	VICARIOUS VISIONS	SKYLANDERS	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
29	23	TOMB RAIDER	CRYSTAL DYNAMICS	SQUARE ENIX	SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
16	24	JUST DANCE 2014	UBISOFT (FRANCE)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
17	25	MARIO PARTY: ISLAND TOUR	ND CUBE	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
23	26	SAINTS ROW IV	DEEP SILVER VOLITION	DEEP SILVER	KOCH MEDIA
31	27	MADDEN NFL 25	EA TIBURON	EA SPORTS	ELECTRONIC ARTS
22	28	LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS	TRAVELLER’S TALES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
25	29	KNACK	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
27	30	RYSE: SON OF ROME	CRYTEK	MICROSOFT	MICROSOFT
30	31	THE LAST OF US	NAUGHTY DOG	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	SONY COMPUTER ENT.
28	32	MAX PAYNE 3	ROCKSTAR VANCOUVER	ROCKSTAR	TAKE 2
39	33	RAYMAN LEGENDS	UBISOFT (FRANCE)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT
38	34	ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF	NINTENDO	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
32	35	POKEMON Y	GAME FREAK	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
40	36	LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA	TRAVELLER’S TALES	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
33	37	POKEMON X	GAME FREAK	NINTENDO	NINTENDO
–	38	SONIC GENERATIONS	SONIC TEAM	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	SEGA
34	39	SONIC & ALL STARS RACING TRANSFORMED	SUMO DIGITAL	XBOX 360 CLASSICS	SEGA
–	40	TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL: BLACKLIST	UBISOFT (TORONTO)	UBISOFT	UBISOFT

Source 1, Source 2

More: Chart-Track, charts, sales, top, UK

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – first English screenshots

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Screenshots | 0 comments

More: Capcom, Level-5, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, top

Capcom looking to bring Monster Hunter Frontier G outside of Japan

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 6 Comments

Capcom has interest in releasing Monster Hunter Frontier G outside of Japan.

Capcom’s Yoshinori Ono said during a recent developer interview published on the company’s website:

We do. The letter “G” in the title implies it’s compatible with a wide range of platforms, including PlayStation3, Wii U, Xbox 360, and PC. We’re also planning to extend this support to PlayStation Vita. The reason why we have increased our support for so many hardware platforms is because we have our sights set on distributing services for this game in the future outside Japan. We simply can’t release a game as it is, but need to adapt all the necessary services to the unique characteristics of each region. In preparation for that, we’ve broadened our scope and started launching individual titles across multiple hardware platforms.

Now, what does this mean exactly? Monster Hunter Frontier G could very well be heading into other regions of Asia. Naturally, we’re also hoping that the game is being considered for the west.

Source

More: Capcom, Monster Hunter Frontier G, top, Yoshinori Ono

Iwata on the benefits of integrated hardware-software business model for Nintendo

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments

The final topic tackled by Satoru Iwata during Nintendo’s investor briefing Q&A concerned its focus on producing both hardware and software.

At the end of the day, “pursuing an integrated hardware-software model in which we offer hardware as well as software provides us with more options in the video game industry in terms of surprising consumers.” Iwata reconfirmed that Nintendo will soon house a new building at its headquarters to allow for its hardware and software developers to work more closely developer, and Iwata hopes he will be able to “demonstrate more clearly the synergy effect that comes from developing both hardware and software.”

Read Iwata’s full comments below.

More: Satoru Iwata, top

Iwata on differences between promotion for Wii U and consumer attention in Japan vs. overseas

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed two important topics for Wii U and how they apply to Japan versus overseas territories last week.

When it comes to promotion for the system, Iwata explained that more resources were devoted to Wii U as opposed to 3DS because Monster Hunter 4 and Pokemon X/Y were able to carry the handheld to a certain extent. Because Nintendo was in a position to properly “focus our energy on communicating Wii U in the year-end sales season”, sales in Japan rose to roughly 100,000 units per week.

Overseas, Nintendo was looking “to boost Nintendo 3DS sales to an explosive level”. The company also needed to provide resources towards Wii U at the same time. “As a result, we were not able to fully focus on promoting either of them,” he admitted. Nintendo originally hoped to “achieve sold sales” for 3DS by the time Pokemon X/Y had arrived and then shift towards Wii U, but “this plan did not work and we had to spread our resources over two platforms.” Additionally, “neither of them achieved explosive sales, a point we need to deeply reflect on.”

On the topic of “consumers’ attention,” Iwata said “there is a difference between the overseas markets in which other companies launched new home consoles, and the Japanese market in which their launches have been held off until this year.”

He continued:

I believe not many consumers wavered between Wii U and those new consoles from other companies because I believe that our user demographics are different to a certain degree. We tried to create a buzz in the overseas markets with Wii U that would encourage many people to look for information about Wii U, making it easier to get our messages across, but this proved to be more difficult than we had expected. I truly need to reflect on the outcome of this year-end sales season, which, in my opinion, was the worst year-end sales season in the overseas markets since I became president, and I would like to bring them back on the right track as soon as possible.

More: sales, Satoru Iwata, top

Iwata on year-end 3DS sales, need to find out why it wasn’t at the top of children’s wish lists

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 6 Comments

The 3DS sold quite well during the last few months of 2013, but it didn’t hit Nintendo’s expectations. Pokemon X/Y provided a solid boost to the system, so Nintendo was “confident about the ultimate sales volume for the end of the year,” according to president Satoru Iwata. In the end though, “sales did not grow as expected.”

Iwata, speaking during the Q&A portion of Nintendo’s investor briefing, mentioned that the 3DS didn’t find itself at the top of children’s wish lists. Given how the 3DS costs somewhere in the range of $150 – $200 for most, and other products are competing for consumers’ dollars for the holiday season, “you need to make sure that your product is at the top of children’s wish lists”.

Keeping all of this in mind, 3DS did show high growth in France for the year-end period. Iwata says Nintendo is currently “examining what was different about France, and we would like to apply our findings to other regions.”

More: sales, Satoru Iwata, top

Even more comments from Iwata about character licensing, won’t license Mario to another company for a Mario game

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 1 Comment

Even more comments from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata have come in regarding plans for character licensing. Chief among them is a statement from Iwata in which he mentioned, “I do not envisage a scenario in which we would license Mario out to another company to make a Mario video game.”

You can find Iwata’s complete remarks below.

More: Mario, Satoru Iwata, top

Iwata on integrating handheld/console teams, next system will “absorb the Wii U architecture adequately”, more

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 38 Comments

Satoru Iwata delivered some incredibly insightful comments as to what Nintendo has planned for its future hardware during an investor briefing Q&A last week.

As many of you know, Nintendo combined its console and handheld teams in 2013. Thanks to “vast technological advances, it became possible to achieve a fair degree of architectural integration.”

Iwata says that the integration of the two teams can help overcome some technical difficulties. He mentioned, as an example, that it currently takes “a huge amount of effort” to port Wii games to 3DS, and 3DS titles to Wii U. “If the transition of software from platform to platform can be made simpler, this will help solve the problem of game shortages in the launch periods of new platforms,” he said.

Integrating the console and handheld teams will also allow Nintendo to avoid situations in which it previously “ended up developing a system that was completely different from its predecessor.” Aside from the transition from GameCube to Wii, “all the other systems required ground-up effort.”

Iwata left a tease as for what’s to come, stating:

In this perspective, while we are only going to be able to start this with the next system, it will become important for us to accurately take advantage of what we have done with the Wii U architecture. It of course does not mean that we are going to use exactly the same architecture as Wii U, but we are going to create a system that can absorb the Wii U architecture adequately. When this happens, home consoles and handheld devices will no longer be completely different, and they will become like brothers in a family of systems.

Be sure to head past the break for Iwata’s comments in full, as there’s quite a bit more he shared that would be silly to summarize further.

More: Satoru Iwata, top

Nintendo will distribute/publish more Japanese 3DS games in the west, Iwata on third-party Wii U support, more

Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 5 Comments

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata addressed the topic of third-party support – for both 3DS and Wii U – during the company’s investor briefing last week.

Regarding 3DS, Iwata says the platform has become “the number one dedicated video game system that Japanese third-party publishers are focusing on” due to its “overwhelmingly strong presence in the hardware as well as software markets”. Nintendo will continue to distribute and publish some Japanese titles “this year and the next.”

The situation is different in the west, as publishers tend to focus more on consoles as opposed to handhelds. However, Iwata noted: “the fact that Nintendo 3DS has now sold over 10 million units in both the U.S. and Europe seems to be news for third-party publishers, and we have recently been receiving more proposals from third-party publishers.”

When it comes to Wii U, “opinions significantly differ among third-party publishers.” There are still some publishers – particular those “that has great affinity with audiences that Nintendo has historically been strong with” – who continue to support the console and even look to assist Nintendo in getting people to upgrade from Wii to Wii U. “On the other hand, software publishers are not necessarily keen on making games in genres that have weaker affinity with audiences that Nintendo has not been as strong with, where making a huge investment does not guarantee a sufficient return,” Iwata explained. Ultimately, Iwata believes Nintendo must “create a strong foundation in areas Nintendo excels at and achieve a sufficient sales volume,” which is the first step for the company.