Take-Two chair talks Wii and DS focus
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 18th 2007 at 1:28PM }
When Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick isn't having secret meetings with Jack Thompson, he's actually trying to turn the embattled company around. Although Zelnick's predecessor, Paul Eibler, pledged support for the Wii last year, Zelnick is really driving the point home. During their Q2 earnings call, which has been fully transcribed, Zelnick says, "To be perfectly frank, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to realize what's going on with Wii and DS. I will tell you that very quickly we turned to both 2K and to Rockstar and said guys, we need a DS strategy and a Wii strategy and we are working on it. As we get into the next quarter and into budget season for 2008, everybody in this company is completely focused on it."Zelnick says that development cycles are long and sports games aren't good to develop "for a specific platform," but that they are looking to put more on the Wii and DS. Given the phrasing of the statement, it sounds like Zelnick is talking about games specifically designed for the Wii, which would be nice considering that Manhunt 2 may work out really well, or feel really flat, because it was designed for multiple platforms. Designing a game for numerous platforms may be good for profits, but if Manhunt was only designed for the Wii, it might have ended up a totally different game because of the focus on motion control.
[Via GoNintendo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Diecast @ Jun 18th 2007 1:36PM
the gaming world will soon be minigames and puzzles
vidGuy @ Jun 18th 2007 1:40PM
The Wii needs more ports that don't feel like hobbled-together versions of the originals with tacked-on controls and more exclusives that don't focus on waggle. I love some of the control schemes that have been developed (aiming in Zelda, SSX Blur, Tiger Woods), but the control should be supplemental to the game, not the main focus (the same can be said about graphics). Hopefully Manhunt 2 shows us some good things.
I'm stoked for more exclusive support, but I hope we get some 3rd party gems in the inherent rush of garbage that will be hitting the Wii.
I would like to see a port of Table Tennis, though.
oldest gamer @ Jun 18th 2007 1:42PM
Ohh Take Two how I am pissed at thee. Bought and fingered just like PC oems of the eighties by the m$ dollar. What a disservice to Sony gamers you have brought forth. You have forgotten your fathers.
E-Roc @ Jun 18th 2007 2:01PM
If you are truly the oldest gamer, you don’t seem to act like it or have a very good memory. If you can recall, companies leave a system or focus on another platform depending on if the move will be best for them. See: Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Ninja Gaiden to name just a few. It rarely has anything to do with loyalty…but profits, and I can’t say I blame them
Revolver @ Jun 18th 2007 2:13PM
Good post E-Roc, I was going to make a similar point. Companies have to do what's best for them. Some may say that the demographic isn't there with the Wii for truly great hardcore games. Until we see an excellent, built from the ground-up 3rd party title, we won't ever really know.
That's why Manhunt 2 could be something big. I know that it has a lot of controversy surrounding it, but it was also built from the ground up by Rockstar Toronto. The game may have started off on PS2, but Rockstar really took the time to upgrade the graphics and implement the controls to make the game work. If gamers buy it up, Rockstar and other developers will have proof that well made hardcore games can indeed thrive on the Wii.
Jake @ Jun 18th 2007 2:18PM
The Wii isn't going to make games designed for the hardcore audience go away. The types of people that love the MGS's and the Bioshocks and what-not aren't going to all the sudden go "hey, I want to play a PS2 port of Happy Feet with tacked on waggle instead".
But many people who don't really like the types of games that are the primary focus on 360 and to a slightly lesser extent the PS3 may really enjoy playing WiiSports or Rayman, yet wouldn't even know how to move through a door in Bioshock.
The Wii will open up gaming to new customers, not ruin hardcore gaming for existing customers. There are a lot of devs that will continue to profit off of "hardcore" games. There are already multiple million sellers for the 360 alone and they are mostly all 3rd party and very "hardcore".
You could make 10 Rayman's for the cost of one Mass Effect, as well. So just because devs are shifting more focus towards the Wii, it doesn't mean they are dropping the other systems. We shall see, though. I haven't seen anything real high risk from 3rd parties yet, as everything has been really, really low budget. I mean, Red Steel is probably the biggest budget, biggest risk 3rd party title to hit the system and it probably only cost about a quarter what it takes to make a great shooter.
Perhaps I am wrong though, and devs will make some high budget and high quality games for the Wii system. Games that are built on more than just waggle and have some real depth. But then again, it is all about money and customers have already shown that Red Steel can be a success. Why spend 4 times as much money to sell twice the copies?
Truthfully, I think we will see the game quality on the Wii increase dramatically and get up to my standards. I think we will see some games that appeal to a more hardcore crowd.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 18th 2007 2:26PM
My hopes are in Metroid Prime 3 and Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros...
This games will show the developers and gamers what the Wii is capable to do.
TDub301 @ Jun 18th 2007 2:35PM
"If you are truly the oldest gamer, you don’t seem to act like it or have a very good memory. If you can recall, companies leave a system or focus on another platform depending on if the move will be best for them. See: Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Ninja Gaiden to name just a few. It rarely has anything to do with loyalty…but profits, and I can’t say I blame them"
Those are pretty bad examples. At least for this generation. MGS and FF would do best to move to 360 and NG shoulda stayed. That would've been the best move, based on user-base and potential for profits. (maybe not for FF)
john @ Jun 18th 2007 2:43PM
Good.
After playing Godfather on the Wii and hearing what the press has been saying about Scarface (good things), I think the Wii is a perfect platform for GTA style games.
Ska Oreo @ Jun 18th 2007 2:45PM
@9
Yep, it's the perfect system for murder simulators.
E-Roc @ Jun 18th 2007 2:54PM
TDub, my examples are not meant to show this generation or how or on what system a game should be created for...they are all examples of older shifts (from Nintendo to Sony) The companies were smart to jump ship as it was the best move for their profit margins when they made the move.
Also, to say something like MGS and FF would be best to move to the 360, you must not ever look at the Japan sales charts. Those are both companies based in Japan and the 360 just can't seem to take off over there. They would be fools to switch to a system that can't really get off the ground…and to say that the PS3 is not doing too much better, that may be true but they have the “brand name” to help them and of the power machines, it is the one most likely to do well in their own homeland. A company based in Japan is going to focus on their own country men/woman first.
Almack64 @ Jun 18th 2007 3:16PM
@ John #9
I agree I usually just rent games (unlimited rental plan at Hollywood) but after renting the Godfather I had to buy it. It's just a really good game. The controls are just right there. To be honest I can't really think of many things I would change. I really looking forward to similar styled games and other games the really get a handle on the wii controls for things other than mini games.
I also will plug SSX Blur as a good "port" that has a good handle on the Wii controls.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 18th 2007 3:21PM
LOL @ 10
I want to see more games like Trauma Center, where the remote directly corresponds to some tool on screen.
Or just make something like Bushido Blade already, k?
whosmav @ Jun 18th 2007 3:38PM
Godfather is dope. I gotta try Scarface.
You know, I care less and less about graphics everyday. I know they'll get there eventually.
What I really don't want to do is play 360 or ps3.
whosmav @ Jun 18th 2007 3:40PM
It might seem like a game drought right now, but in time is gonna be like the flood gates were lifted. This story is happening in every publishing house. There's gonna be loads of games for the Wii. They just can't pull them out of there ass. Who knew right?
Mr Khan @ Jun 18th 2007 3:58PM
A quality; from the ground up 3rd party title?
Well; IMO, we already have it: Sonic and the Secret Rings, but everytime i say that i seem to be pelted with rotten tomatoes (both metaphorical and literal in one case)
In keeping with that; i would shift my focus to NiGHTS 2 and No More Heroes
Ken @ Jun 18th 2007 6:34PM
Glad to see more support for the Wii.
I sure hope this time next year, that 3rd party titles will be quality.
I realize that there are still good 3rd party games on the Wii... We just need MORE. :) Plus most companies thought the Wii would fall flat, and only offered minimal support.
Now that there's alot more support, I hope to see the Wii get some life in it for a few years.