We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
DS

THQ's Competition is Nintendo

by Neal Ronaghan - February 26, 2009, 9:53 pm EST
Total comments: 24 Source: Edge Online

According to CEO Brian Farrell, THQ wants "the people who buy Nintendo games…to buy things like de Blob," which has sold over 700,000 units so far.

THQ is very happy with de Blob's success on the Wii, but they aren't content with resting on their laurels. "The competition on the Wii right now is from Nintendo," said THQ CEO Brian Farrell at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco. "That's what we've got to attack."

To do so, the third-party company is currently employing a "three-prong" strategy in their Wii efforts: high production value "Nintendo-esque" games like de Blob, budget titles such as Neighborhood Games (their budget title Big Beach Sports has sold 1.3 million units since its launch), and licensed titles such as the Spongebob Squarepants games. Farrell also mentioned that de Blob has been able to keep its $49.99 price tag for five months, saying that "We can make money on games like that."

The CEO teased an unannounced Wii game that is "niche" and expected to do well. He also mentioned THQ's plans to bring over its "biggest brands" to DSi to take advantage of the system's new features.

Talkback

Impressive sales for de Blob.  I didn't expect it to do so well.

TJ SpykeFebruary 27, 2009

De Blob looks interesting, I will get it when it drops to $30 (is it at $30 yet?).

Ian SaneFebruary 27, 2009

Is THQ of all companies striving to make quality games as a permanent part of their business strategy?  Has a Wii third party finally figured out the secret of Nintendo's success?

Nintendo fans have high but realistic standards of quality.  If we release games of comparible quality the Nintendo fanbase will buy them.  Holy shit!  What a concept!

I'm also glad that the de Blob is doing well partially because then no one will get mad at me for not buying it.  ;)  I didn't need to!  I don't have to feel pressured to support every half decent game on the Wii!

BeautifulShyFebruary 27, 2009

Ian I'm upset with you.The game has a chance at 1 million.So I hope you contribute to that.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 27, 2009

Quote from: Ian

Is THQ of all companies striving to make quality games as a permanent part of their business strategy?  Has a Wii third party finally figured out the secret of Nintendo's success?

Nintendo fans have high but realistic standards of quality.  If we release games of comparible quality the Nintendo fanbase will buy them.  Holy ****!  What a concept!

I'm also glad that the de Blob is doing well partially because then no one will get mad at me for not buying it.  ;)  I didn't need to!  I don't have to feel pressured to support every half decent game on the Wii!

Fine. As long as you don't complain when third parties realize that people don't buy good games and decide to release mini game compilations and half asses ports ;) .

BwrJim!February 27, 2009

THQ, welcome to 1985

StratosFebruary 27, 2009

Quote from: Ian

Is THQ of all companies striving to make quality games as a permanent part of their business strategy?  Has a Wii third party finally figured out the secret of Nintendo's success?

Nintendo fans have high but realistic standards of quality.  If we release games of comparible quality the Nintendo fanbase will buy them.  Holy ****!  What a concept!

I'm also glad that the de Blob is doing well partially because then no one will get mad at me for not buying it.  ;)  I didn't need to!  I don't have to feel pressured to support every half decent game on the Wii!

Why is de Blob only half decent to you? I know that Zack and Wiki is a standard for Wii 3rd party games to you, but I would put de Blob up there as well.

Mop it upFebruary 28, 2009

Am I the only one (besides Ian) who reads this article and thinks "duh"? Of course the major competition on Nintendo's own platform is Nintendo, that's the way it's always been and probably the way it will always be. It's one reason why some game companies prefer the PlayStation, because the only competition is from other third-parties.

Maybe I'm missing the point of this article, but is this really something that needs pointing out? Are there actually any game companies out their who aren't aware that the main competition on a Nintendo platform is Nintendo? Or does a company want to pretend they were ignorant of that fact and use it as a lame excuse for previously producing low-quality products?

StratosFebruary 28, 2009

I think the article was more of a 'Hey, check it out! We sold a lot of de Blob! We're a successful 3rd party on Wii!"

At least that's what I took from it.

KDR_11kFebruary 28, 2009

Quote from: Ian

I'm also glad that the de Blob is doing well partially because then no one will get mad at me for not buying it.  ;)  I didn't need to!  I don't have to feel pressured to support every half decent game on the Wii!

You're making no sense. You're complaining about a lack of games and then turn around and are GLAD that you didn't have to buy a good game for the Wii?

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 28, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

Quote from: Ian

I'm also glad that the de Blob is doing well partially because then no one will get mad at me for not buying it.  ;)  I didn't need to!  I don't have to feel pressured to support every half decent game on the Wii!

You're making no sense. You're complaining about a lack of games and then turn around and are GLAD that you didn't have to buy a good game for the Wii?

Let me explain Ian's logic for a sec...

When he says that de Blob is "halfway decent" is because it didn't get the review scores "Galaxy" got and doesn't feature the polish of any Nintendo, even if its a great game by itself.

In order to get Ian to buy a third party game it needs...
- To be a major entry in an existing, popular franchise
- Be a killer app for the company- Get a lot of hype from fans and the media
- Get fantastic review scores

Then and only then can Ian play it.

At least he didn't call it a shovelware title...

IceColdFebruary 28, 2009

Oh and guess what Pap? He didn't touch Resident Evil 4 when it came out for the Cube.

What a guy.

NovaQFebruary 28, 2009

: o

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 28, 2009

Quote from: IceCold

Oh and guess what Pap? He didn't touch Resident Evil 4 when it came out for the Cube.

What a guy.

I am well aware of that. I just forgot to add "and maybe, just maybe, he'll play it"...

StogiFebruary 28, 2009

Ian is the true Nintendo fanboy.

PlugabugzFebruary 28, 2009

EA said the same thing about nintendo quality games not too long ago.

The trainwreck continues.

StogiFebruary 28, 2009

First Ubisoft, then EA, now THQ.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMarch 01, 2009

And yet Sega is one of the few third parties on Wii that constantly delivers solid games.

cdvuMarch 01, 2009

Finally a third-party that gets it. EA is starting to come around, but 2K games still doesn't understand that if they make good games, they can compete on the Wii.

Quote from: Flames_of_chaos

And yet Sega is one of the few third parties on Wii that constantly delivers solid games.

And it all started with the vastly under-appreciated Sonic and the Secret of the Rings.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 02, 2009

Actually, Beach Spikers.

and of course, real nintendo fans ignored good games including beach spikers, cuz they're not really gaming enthusiasts, just pikachu arse groupies

PeachylalaMarch 02, 2009

Pro Daisy just summed up what's wrong with Nintendo's fan base today.

Beach spikers didn't have the boobie factor DoA EXTREMEEEEE had, so it basically didn't have a chance. Blah.

KDR_11kMarch 02, 2009
NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 02, 2009

lol next gen disney game costs

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement