Author Topic: Wii Third Party Domination (Read 52809 times)

couchmonkey · « **on:** November 27, 2006, 05:37:54 AM »

All right guys, here's one thing that Wii will need to succeed: third party support. Will it get it? Only time will tell, but here are some interesting (and encouraging) tidbits that have come out this year:

Square Enix said it will support everyone equally because it doesn't want one company with too much power. My opinion is that Square Enix is tired of Sony but it's equally afraid that Nintendo could take total control of the Japanese market. I'm guessing the "main" Final Fantasy series will be on something other than Wii, since the series has become known for graphics/movies.

Ubisoft intends to become the number 1 third-party publisher - by supporting Wii. It has tentatively announced seven more games for Jan-Mar 2007

Disney is opening a new development studio exclusively for Wii. Electronic Arts did the same thing, but I can't find any news stories about it, it just kind of came up in interviews earlier this year.

Take Two thinks Wii has great potential for sports games. These guys sound like they may be too late to the party, but considering their portfolio - Grand Theft Auto, Bully, etc. it's safe to say Nintendo has never been their main target for new games. Edit: February 6th - Manhunt 2 announced

Bandai Namco has 30 Wii titles in the works (thanks ProtoNY)

SNK Playmore plans to focus on Wii - says the other systems aren't appropriate for 2D games (indirect thanks to segagamer12).

Reggie has also said that third party support is higher for Wii at this point than it was for GameCube at the same point, but he was basing that on second-hand information from older employees. I couldn't find a reference for this, if anybody knows where to find the quote, feel free to add.

Edit: February 3rd: Konami announces a few Wii games, including DDR: Hottest Party and Dewey's Adventure.

Edit: February 8th: Activision plans to double it's Wii support.

Edit: March 3rd: Id says that a lot of companies have been requesting Wii tools from Id, and that it might release something on the system.

Edit: April 10: Sega has announced a Wii-exclusive Nights sequel, and Bloomberg claims that Electronic Arts and others are scrambling to release more Wii products after losing cash on the other new consoles.

Edit: April 12: Capcom shows RE4 remake and RE: Umbrella chronicles for Wii; Resident Evil 5 (for 360/PS3) is nowhere to be seen.

April 17: Jet Black Studios is formed by a group of former EA Canada employees.

June 18: Take Two is "completely focused" on creating a Wii and DS strategy

ProtoNY · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2006, 07:11:09 AM »

What I find most interesting is if you take the Square Enix stance on the Wii, and mix it with the new Disney studio (a Wii-only division of BVG, if I remember correctly) - you get something very interesting. Both of these companies have collaborated before. Kingdom Hearts jumps to mind right away. Even some of the BVG games after their initial relationship showed the influence that Square Enix left with BVG. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see something along that front.

And wasn't there just an article recently that Namco has a total of 40 games in development right now - with 30 of those being Wii titles?

couchmonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2006, 07:58:13 AM »

Wow, thanks for that one, Bandai Namco get! Yeah, I think Kingdom Hearts on Wii seems quite likely, given Nintendo's kid-friendly stance.

The Disney studio may not seem that important to a lot of people, but the point is to have the games. I remember when there were new games based on Disney movies coming to PSX every year but never to N64, and even though I knew they weren't top-tier or anything, I was still a bit jealous. Kids will care a lot.

Arbok · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2006, 01:10:40 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
The Disney studio may not seem that important to a lot of people, but the point is to have the games. I remember when there were new games based on Disney movies coming to PSX every year but never to N64, and even though I knew they weren't top-tier or anything, I was still a bit jealous. Kids will care a lot.

Quoted for truth. I recall one of the earlier games that tempted me the most to pick up a Playstation: The Lost World.

Really, most hardcore gamers will scoff at the movie-tie-in stuff, but to more casual consumers these are very important.

Ceric · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2006, 01:16:26 PM »

Kingdom of Hearts 3 will be just a movie with a really long Pre-game. That is the natural progression.

IceCold · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2006, 04:16:55 PM »

The Namco news is great - I expect to see what they're working on next E3.. That EA Canada separate studio is very good news. If the games are done right, not only will casual gamers be drawn in with sports titles, but some of the only in-house EA titles I like are made there (SSX, NBA Street etc). I want a hockey game!

I wonder what Capcom and Konami are up to in regards to the Wii - they have been noticeably absent.

Hocotate · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2006, 05:31:20 PM »

This is all very nice to see. Namco-Bandai with their 30 games is the hottest to me

I predict we will see a large amount of anime games, Tatsujin, Tales of, and probably a few original IPs.

Also it pleases me to see Ubisoft really giving full support. I also remember SNK stating that the Wii is going to be their most supported platform of the 3 consoles. This is great news for me because the main reason I bought a PS2 (JP ver) was to play their's and other's fighting games. If SNK makes the shift, and KOFXII is a Wii exclusive (or at least timed exclusive) that pretty much makes it the "fighting game system" and others will follow

Sammy.... and Capcom if they were still in the picture. Not to mention the Wii being "small dev team" friendly, so maybe we'll see some dojin fighting games make an apearance as well ^^

segagamer12 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2006, 05:42:09 PM »

>>Also it pleases me to see Ubisoft really giving full support<<

While I agree Ubisoft si a great studio and enjoy many of thier games, they gave GC awesome supprot also and that dint say much, all these named so far DID give GC support and exclusives too so dont get too excited just yet.

But I will sya that it is still encouraging news to see so many companies devoting entire studios to just Wii but I am waiting to see if Wii gets the same quality games as Ps3 cuz GC had plenty of games but not very many good games.

and Capcom used to make GREAT Disney games back in the day for NES, why did they lose the liscene?

Hocotate · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2006, 09:35:27 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: segagamer12
I am waiting to see if Wii gets the same quality games as Ps3

lol

Arbok · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2006, 09:52:33 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Hocotate
This is all very nice to see. Namco-Bandai with their 30 games is the hottest to me ...

Not to kill hope or anything, but could Namco be counting virtual console games in that 30? I know that has been brought up before with that news brief.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2006, 01:57:42 AM »

Oh no! You're so evil. Good point though! Hopefully it means more than that.

Ubisoft did support GameCube, but it was basically the same old multiplatform support Ubisoft gives to any system. We have two Ubisoft Wii exclusives already and at least one more coming, according to the press info.

Capcom and Konami have been pretty quiet. I'm thinking we'll hear more from Capcom, Resident Evil is probably just the teaser, but who knows?

The third party future is still pretty murky for Wii, but since E3 I think there has been a definite trend of third party support moving towards Wii and Xbox 360 and away from PS3.

Hocotate · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2006, 03:51:32 AM »

How many old games does namco have on the NES, SNES, 64, etc...? I can't recall many. Still I see your point, even if all 30 are VC games I will still be happy

lol.

segagamer12 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 28, 2006, 05:18:49 AM »

I meant PS2 a-hole

JonLeung · « **Reply #13 on:** November 28, 2006, 06:29:57 AM »

I don't see this as "third party domination" just yet.

It's still not likely that the main FFs will continue on the Wii. Even though Square-Enix isn't all gung-ho about the PS3 as they were the previous PlayStations, I expected at least some support from them since they even supported the GCN-GBA connection with an exclusive GCN game, Crystal Chronicles. And they love the DS and put out next to nothing that I'm aware of for the PSP. But until there's substantial Wii support, or at least one main FF, most people will still see Square-Enix as part of the Sony camp, and I at least wouldn't consider them a major Wii supporter.

UbiSoft loves the Wii, no question. No surprise there, though.

I believe I heard that Disney's studio is focussed on Nintendo exclusives. So we'll see some DS games from them too. Remember when Capcom made NES Disney games? Some of them, like Duck Tales and the first Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, were actually pretty fun. Working with Square-Enix on future exclusive Kingdom Hearts games would be hot.

The Take Two news could be more substantial, but we'd have to see if they actually create something with as much attention (good or bad) as GTA for the Wii.

It's cool that Bandai Namco is on board, though I thought Namco was semi-chummy with Nintendo anyway?

What I want to know is, what about Capcom and Konami? Those are the earliest third-party developers I remember recognizing, and are still pretty strong. I imagine that Resident Evil, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, etc. would not only draw in a particular demographic but could also have some pretty involving Wii-specific games.

WuTangTurtle · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2006, 08:59:12 AM »

I'm lovin this gen so far, the industry really seems to have been shaken up. We have developers jump around from PS3 to Wii/360 and as of now there is no straight up winner for 3rd party support. At the rate Sony is going we might see a N64/PS1 transition, but that is extremely doubtful. Things look really good for Nintendo though, I think Guitar Hero is my #1 game that I want on my Wii system, and from reports this may just happen.

Terranigma Freak · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2006, 09:39:50 AM »

Personally, I don't really care about most of the big name third parties. They're big, they're bound to be everywhere. I know, the N64 suffered due to carts, but that's not really the case now. Right now, third parties fear their crappy games won't sell. Since the Wii SEEMS to be doing very well (it's only been a week), I wouldn't worry too much just yet.

I'm interested in the small yet talented studios like Treasure, Marvelous (ok, fine, they're already making Harvest Moon Wii), Grasshopper, etc. I'm just really annoyed that they're always forgotten even though they make great games. I certainly hope Heroes turn out to be something special. I want to see more support from these small studios!

Kairon · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2006, 10:07:33 AM »

Yeah, the hardcore gamer in me is stuck in a "big 3" mindset, meaning Capcom, Namco, and Konami.

It seems like Namco is on board, but what about Capcom (who seems to be stubbornly making PSP games, and also has some hits coming to XBox360) or Konami (who seem stuck with PS3 with their MGS franchise)?

And then the more quirky, independently-minded adventurous artsy gamer in me wants to know where all the small developers are. I know we've got Arika and stuff... but we also need a groundswelling of independent movement! Basically, I dream of the Wii having similar acceptance among smaller studios as the GBA and DS have! That low low dev kit price must NOT be wasted!

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

MysticGohan · « **Reply #17 on:** November 28, 2006, 10:27:45 AM »

In the latest issue of EGM, the Rumors section, apparently Hideo's team is being pressured to port MGS4 to 360. Guess PS3 isn't gonna cut it.

segagamer12 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 28, 2006, 12:15:38 PM »

I wanna see Ded Rising on Wii that would be cool. Then of course a good Castlevania by Konami and then some mroe fighting games. GC didnt have cartridges and it got shafted right and left so that wont mean nothing also the Wii STILL has the smallest format of the three (well ok I think it is same as 360 but they got HDdvd upgrade now so that could change)

I really wanna see Sega give better support also, not just Sonic and monkey balls but I wanna see Virtua Fighter, Shinobi, Shenmue3!!!!, Virtua Cop, house of the dead (perfect for Wii) and maybe some other sequels.

Also they could still port Chrome Hounds and their new mech game as well as the phantasy Star universe game too. damnint Sega dont support Wii VC and shun the real Wii!

Still things look promising so far but not that much considering GC had better support out the door and it just fell of after a couple years. I think it is too early to get too optimistic but I figure 2008 should be when we start seing the really good games.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #19 on:** November 28, 2006, 01:47:31 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: segagamer12
I wanna see Ded Rising on Wii that would be cool. Then of course a good Castlevania by Konami and then some mroe fighting games. GC didnt have cartridges and it got shafted right and left so that wont mean nothing also the Wii STILL has the smallest format of the three (well ok I think it is same as 360 but they got HDdvd upgrade now so that could change)

I really wanna see Sega give better support also, not just Sonic and monkey balls but I wanna see Virtua Fighter, Shinobi, Shenmue3!!!!, Virtua Cop, house of the dead (perfect for Wii) and maybe some other sequels.

Also they could still port Chrome Hounds and their new mech game as well as the phantasy Star universe game too. damnint Sega dont support Wii VC and shun the real Wii!

Still things look promising so far but not that much considering GC had better support out the door and it just fell of after a couple years. I think it is too early to get too optimistic but I figure 2008 should be when we start seing the really good games.

I really don't think HDDVD is going to change anything since it is an optional upgrade, the storage medium will remain single and dual layer DVDs unless MS becomes really stupid. In regards to GC, weren't most of the 3rd party games multiplatform being quick and dirty ports besides Monkey Ball? Wish I could recall the launch lineup for GC because I swear it didn't have nearly as many 3rd party games as Wii has even when taking into consideration the multiplatform and more importantly the amount of EXCLUSIVE 3rd party games.

Arbok · « **Reply #20 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:00:42 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: VGrevolution
Wish I could recall the launch lineup for GC because I swear it didn't have nearly as many 3rd party games as Wii has even when taking into consideration the multiplatform and more importantly the amount of EXCLUSIVE 3rd party games.

You are quite correct, the GCN only had 12 games at launch in the US, which included:

Luigi's Mansion, Rogue Leader, Wave Race: Blue Storm, Super Monkey Ball, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Crazy Taxi, Tarzan Untamed, NHL Hitz 2002, Madden 2002, All-Star Baseball 2002, Batman Vengeance and Dave Mirra BMX 2.

Thank god for Rogue Leader there, and the fact that Smash Bros came out a month after launch (as did Pikmin for that matter).

wandering · « **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:03:31 PM »

Are you disputing the quality of Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race, and Super Monkey Ball, good sir?

Arbok · « **Reply #22 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:10:58 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: wandering
Are you disputing the quality of Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race, and Super Monkey Ball, good sir?

Actually, those and Rogue Leader are the ones I got on launch day. Monkey Ball was lots of fun, as was Luigi's Mansion... Wave Race... not so much for me. Rogue Leader was the only one of the lot that actually had me hooked, though, and was hard for me to put down, or go back to the other games. It was also the only launch game that I would revisit, in later years, from time to time. So, honestly, I would have felt that the launch lineup was very weak had it not been for that game, despite the fact that some of the other titles were fun in their own right.

To each his own, though.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #23 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:20:24 PM »

Rogue Leader, Monkey Ball and Luigi's Mansion (short but sweet) were all solid titles but I did feel the GC launch was kind of weak. The Wii's launch has to be one of the best in the way of multiple quality games I've seen in quite some time.

WuTangTurtle · « **Reply #24 on:** November 28, 2006, 09:26:04 PM »

Nobody in their right mind will support the HD-DVD addon for the 360, it would be like Nintendo releasing the Wii with the Wii-mote as optional and having a traditional controller packed into the system. The only way anybody would support it is if it had a large enough sell through to all 360 owners. No publisher wants to make a game that only 10-30% of 360 owners could buy, minus the people who don't even want their game.

I really do think a lot of 3rd parties will develop for the Wii to possibly fund their PS3 or 360 projects. Developing a next gen game is high and the Wii is so low cost it would be moronic not to cash in. It makes me wonder why Capcom, who hasn't been doing so great over the years has chosen the PSP over DS.

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Author Topic: Wii Third Party Domination (Read 52809 times)