Ubisoft: Wii U needs a price cut

Despite a strong holiday season, Wii U sales have fallen off considerably in the last couple of months.

The drop in sales led Nintendo to slash their fiscal year projections for the console, and President Satoru Iwata actually had to come out with a statement stating that the console would not be getting a price cut in the near future.

This week, Alain Corre, Ubisoft's executive director for EMEA territories, says the company may need a price cut to stay relevant, especially ahead of this fall's PS4 launch.

Ubisoft is one of the console's biggest game publishers, and they recently announced that expected blockbusters Watch Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag will both be available for Wii U this year. A price cut would help move consoles, and help Ubi's bottom line with (most likely) stronger software sales.

"We always want the hardware to be at a low price because we want as many fans as possible to afford to buy our games, so that's for sure. We think that Wii U will find its public at some point. Some were expecting sales to be quicker but we are optimistic. I think Nintendo has said that the Wii U sales in general were below expectations originally and the software tie-in ratio is also stable, so I think that when less machines sell, less games sell," says Corre.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 6 Mar 2013 22:01

KillerBug

It also needs a new controller...something comfortable to hold and light weight...with no screen to make gimmicky developers include dumb features that only take away from immersion. Bluray support would also be a plus for those who don't have lots of hdmi ports on their tv. Oh, and if they could get some good games that might be nice too; I'm not buying a console just for mario, zelda, and a generic shoot-em-up that isn't worth porting to other consoles.

6.3.2013 22:14 #1

wolfniggr

The price is fine. What the system needed from the start was at least 2 AAA titles to hold early adopters over through the notorious Nintendo game drought. The controller is not heavy (unless you're one of those what do you call them...oh yeah, pussies). The touch screen is a cool feature and comes in handy for "Can Gaming" (Nintendo should have included analog buttons or at the very least proper triggers).

This is just my opinion though, but I can see where a lot of people are coming from. Being a hardcore gamer and an audio/videophile with a hefty disposable income puts me in a position where a lot of the popular complaints for the U aren't an issue for me.

Bottom line, if you already own a 360 and/or a ps3, there is really no good reason to buy a U at the moment. If the competition is able to offer better launch titles before Nintendo releases better titles, I don't see the U doing very well in the future.

7.3.2013 01:47 #2

Bulrog (unverified)

7.3.2013 01:52 #3

Jemborg

Originally posted by Bulrog: Originally posted by KillerBug: It also needs a new controller...something comfortable to hold and light weight...with no screen to make gimmicky developers include dumb features that only take away from immersion. Bluray support would also be a plus for those who don't have lots of hdmi ports on their tv. Oh, and if they could get some good games that might be nice too; I'm not buying a console just for mario, zelda, and a generic shoot-em-up that isn't worth porting to other consoles.
Dude, I agree with you regarding the bluray function, that would be awesome. But the game pad is amazing! In fact, I'm writing this response using one. It does take some time to get used to though. I'm very happy with this console so far, I only wish there were more games for it :( This is the Wii U alternative or "Pro" controller KB it was released at the same time:

Crystal Dynamics' decision to NOT release the new Tomb Raider on the Wii U because of it's unconventional main controller design does not bode well at all for the console. Bear in mind Good Game gave this a 10/10 and that is VERY rare for them, they say it's heavily influenced by the Uncharted games and has perfectly balanced gameplay. It came as a total shock to the presenters as they were expecting something rather lamer:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/28/39241...onal-controller
http://au.gamespot.com/news/why-tomb-ra...d-wii-u-6403002

This is almost worthy of it's own article here this news. How many other games will this happen to too?

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7.3.2013 08:10 #4

Mysttic

Nintendo lately has been on a kick trying to make revenue from gimmicks and sadly this will not change anytime soon. They should have included the pro controller in the deluxe system bundle and market it more to show that it's more than capable and comfortable for hardcore gaming needs. But I can't blame developers for not being on bored to a console that only does well around the holidays and will soon look like garbage under the hood once Sony and MS launch their consoles; as Nintendo banks on the gimmick attracting millions again, and Sony banking on the hardcore to stick to their console, how will MS play out in all this, that will determine when Nintendo does a price drop.

7.3.2013 08:39 #5

megadunderhead

Does everyone talk about things they don't know about!!!

See i purchased a wii u after launch and all though it has had its growing pain's and some games better then others the main issue is not the console nor it needs a price cut because once people see a 600.00 ps4 and a 600.00 xbox the 350.00 wii u will look better to consumers and this is what nintendo is hoping onto also there are some titles that suck i.e rabbids which i might point out is designed for kids ages 6 to 10 people if you read before you review it people and yes the battery issues for the game pad but here is the funny thing several developers should be blamed for there support of the console and no support as well.

E.A = nintendo and E.A have been at each others throats because E.A wants to charge players 50.00 a year for exclusive online play only and nintendo wont have it and E.A has even had crisis 3 running on the console but they pulled the plug on that once they found they couldn't charge for online play.

Ubi-soft = Dont think your in the clear you money grubbing whores you first take 3 months to release dlc on the wii u and do you release it for assassins creed 3 first no just dance 4 no you release it for the god awful marvel game which no one owns or gives a crap about then a few weeks before you decided to release rayman you decided to post pone it so you could release it on more consoles and make more money except all the money you lost on overtime pay to your employees to finish the game on time so you ended up losing more money then your going to make back.

So you say price cut i say ubi shut the heck up to wii u owners right now you are the enemy and public enemy number 1 right now so i would love to see you sell the next assassins creed but that wont happen because wii u owners will just tell people dont buy there games so thats 1.1 million wii u console owners that are going to tell 2.3 million ps3 owners and xbox owners to not bother so you might want to think of the damage you did your consumers are smarter then you think and your just stupid.

7.3.2013 09:40 #6

Interestx

Quote:Ubisoft: Wii U needs a price cut ....and I bet it gets a nice one when PS4 & next Xbox are released.

7.3.2013 13:26 #7

bobiroc

Originally posted by KillerBug: It also needs a new controller...something comfortable to hold and light weight...with no screen to make gimmicky developers include dumb features that only take away from immersion. Bluray support would also be a plus for those who don't have lots of hdmi ports on their tv. Oh, and if they could get some good games that might be nice too; I'm not buying a console just for mario, zelda, and a generic shoot-em-up that isn't worth porting to other consoles. A.) The controller is not uncomfortable or heavy. It fits nicely in the hand and easy to hold for all hand sizes. The only thing wrong is the battery life really with the stock battery.

B.) While I am sure there will be some titles that use the gamepad as a gimmick just as developers have done with the Wii, Kinect, and PS Move the Gamepad adds a level of game depth and interaction that makes many games more enjoyable to play. I understand that some "gamers" rather just use the same old controller that has been used over the years and when they see something new they turn their nose up but potential for the Gamepad use in games is Awesome and in no way take away from immersion of the game. In fact I think it makes it feel like you are more a part of the game from what I have played with it. But hey if you just like to click buttons and sit on your butt to play then you are entitled to your opinion.

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8.3.2013 23:25 #8

kutulu1

If nintendo got rid of mario and zelda, then i might consider buying one...lol. Nintendo has not realized that there are more older, mature, gamers these days. They need to get rid of their kiddie image...lol

8.3.2013 23:36 #9

bobiroc

Originally posted by Mysttic: Nintendo lately has been on a kick trying to make revenue from gimmicks and sadly this will not change anytime soon. They should have included the pro controller in the deluxe system bundle and market it more to show that it's more than capable and comfortable for hardcore gaming needs. But I can't blame developers for not being on bored to a console that only does well around the holidays and will soon look like garbage under the hood once Sony and MS launch their consoles; as Nintendo banks on the gimmick attracting millions again, and Sony banking on the hardcore to stick to their console, how will MS play out in all this, that will determine when Nintendo does a price drop. Its funny that you call it a gimmick and how the PS4 will attract the hardcore when Sony has done so much copying of Nintendo. The PS Move is practically a direct copy of the Wii playing style and now they are going to use their Vita as an off TV game play and controller just like the Wii U does with the gamepad.

All Nintendo needs to do to attract millions is release one of their top 1st party game titles because in the end Nintendo is one of the best game developers and publishers in the world with their games outselling most other game publisher titles and constantly ranking high on the quality and popularity charts.

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8.3.2013 23:45 #10

Jemborg

@ Bobiroc: I suppose KB meant that if have to shift you eyes off the main image to another it breaks the immersion. The Wii U does have a regular "Pro" controller so Ninty do seem to acknowledge that. And,"...if you just like to click buttons and sit on your butt to play...", but that's just it you want an intuitive interface where you just forget about it and become one with the game... like driving a car.

It's true, as I feared, there's a slew of coming major games not slated for release on Wii U, that's not gonna help.

The Wii U seems to be in that limbo phase where there a gap after the release of a new platform and some good titles.

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9.3.2013 04:59 #11

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