Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Origin nets 4 million client installs, adding third-party content 'very soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/origin-nets-4-million-client-installs-adding-third-party-conten/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/origin-nets-4-million-client-installs-adding-third-party-conten/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/origin-nets-4-million-client-installs-adding-third-party-conten/#comments EA's digital distribution service, Origin, is set to deliver third-party content "very soon," EA CFO Eric Brown said today. Origin has gathered 4 million client installs, a number Brown expects to see grow as we enter the holiday season, also known as Dueling Mainstream FPS Launch season. Brown says EA will use its collection of 130 million users and various payment methods to attract third-party games to Origin.

EA has previously said Origin wasn't created to compete directly with Steam, but that was way back in July, when EA wasn't sure if Origin would catch on. Apparently plans can change drastically in two months, especially once an obvious business-dependent marketing ploy actually catches on.

JoystiqOrigin nets 4 million client installs, adding third-party content 'very soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3EAElectronic-ArtsoriginpcSTEAMthird-partyFri, 09 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Nintendo to plan first-party game launches around third-party publishers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/iwata-nintendo-to-plan-first-party-game-launches-around-third-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/iwata-nintendo-to-plan-first-party-game-launches-around-third-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/iwata-nintendo-to-plan-first-party-game-launches-around-third-p/#comments Nintendo clearly understands the importance of the international economy's fragile supply and demand formula, as evidenced in statements made during a recent investor call. Italian plumbers and pocket monsters are, in the case of Nintendo games, highly sought after properties that are somewhat constrained in supply. The result of this, of course, is high demand for Nintendo's games -- such high demand, in most cases, that third-party game sales on Nintendo's consoles are outstripped by first-party.

Nintendo, however, hopes to appear mindful of stepping on toes. When asked about potential release dates for 3DS versions of Super Mario and Mario Kart, Nintendo head Satoru Iwata noted, "We want the other companies to be successful." He continued, "In order to accomplish this goal, we would like to decide on the dates after we know the release plans of other companies' games so that we are able to consider how we can maximize the sales of our titles without affecting the sales of other companies in the short term."

It's also possible that Iwata is just blowing smoke to avoid answering specific questions about release dates for major franchises, though our mothers always told us not to expect the worst in people.

JoystiqIwata: Nintendo to plan first-party game launches around third-party publishers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfirst-partymario-kartnintendonintendo-of-japansatoru-iwatasuper-mariothird-partywiiMon, 02 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney wants to take Epic Mickey to 'Nintendo levels' on the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/disney-wants-to-take-epic-mickey-to-nintendo-levels-on-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/disney-wants-to-take-epic-mickey-to-nintendo-levels-on-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/disney-wants-to-take-epic-mickey-to-nintendo-levels-on-the-wii/#comments
 Gamasutra got a chance to speak with the executive VP and GM of Disney Interactive Studios, Graham Hopper, who says that Disney is swinging for the stands on their future game releases. The games division is learning from "pure" gaming studios and their success, and while Hopper admits that the company hasn't always treated their properties correctly on the gaming side, starting with Disney's Epic Mickey, it wants to "give their projects the time and appropriate resources to be successful." In other words, let them stand on their own as games, rather than squeeze them up against a movie's release date.

And Hopper hopes for quite the payoff, too -- while third-party titles on the Wii have been hit or miss (mostly miss), Hopper expects Epic Mickey's success to go "to Nintendo levels." He does say that they don't want to turn Mickey into Mario by "simply using him as an icon or an avatar in a game," but Disney's goal in the future will be to make sure that each of their properties' appearances are worth it. Hopper says if they port a film to five different gaming platforms, customers should expect "not the same story five times over, but five different stories, each uniquely suited for the platform they're on." A good plan to have, but much easier said than done.

JoystiqDisney wants to take Epic Mickey to 'Nintendo levels' on the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customersdisney-interactive-studiosdisneys-epic-mickeyepic-mickeygaminggoalgraham-hoppermariomickey-mouseNintendothird-partytitleswiiSat, 27 Feb 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bach: 70-80% of publishers working on Natal-based games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/bach-70-80-of-publishers-working-on-natal-based-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/bach-70-80-of-publishers-working-on-natal-based-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/bach-70-80-of-publishers-working-on-natal-based-games/#comments In an interview with Financial Post, Microsoft president of entertainment and devices Robbie Bach said "something like 70% or 80% of the publishers in the world" are already working on Natal-based games. The interview followed Microsoft's CES 2010 keynote during which Bach announced the hands-free controller for the Xbox 360 would launch during the 2010 holiday season. Bach also respectfully outlined what he believes is the major difference between Microsoft and Nintendo's respective business models: third-party success. "Our model is certainly about third-party publishers making money. We design our system for third-party publishers," he told the Canadian news outlet. "[Nintendo makes] most of their money through first-party games that Nintendo produces. That's absolutely their business model. And it's a great business model, it's just different, but it makes it hard for third-party publishers."

As for upcoming Natal-based games, Bach said Microsoft's first-party developers are focused on the hardware to help lead other developers down an "innovative" path. "We want to have a few titles from Microsoft that show the way and then we want the breadth and power of the ecosystem from our partners to bring lots of new ideas, new innovations, new concepts to the marketplace."

Microsoft's Project Natal appears to be a direct response to a mainstream audience that has turned to Nintendo's hardware when spending disposable income. Considering the Xbox 360 and PS3 have effectively cracked the third-party code, Microsoft's focus continues to be set on capturing a demographic that may feel intimidated by the hardware and its core (read: jerkface) players.

JoystiqBach: 70-80% of publishers working on Natal-based games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial-postMicrosoftnatalproject-natalrobbie-bachthird-partyXbox-360Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom: Wii is 'a tough market to crack']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/capcom-wii-is-a-tough-market-to-crack/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/capcom-wii-is-a-tough-market-to-crack/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/capcom-wii-is-a-tough-market-to-crack/#commentsFiled under:

Capcom spoke to Gamasutra recently about the difficulty in taking advantage of the Wii's huge user base -- it and other third-party developers have struggled for a long time to sell games to the casual folks who bought Nintendo's console, and Capcom's senior director of communications Chris Kramer says it hasn't gotten any easier. "If you're not Nintendo," he says frankly, "it does seem harder to make money on the Wii today compared to the PS3 and the Xbox 360."

So what's the solution? Fewer titles, higher quality. Kramer promises that Capcom will release fewer titles on the Wii in 2010, and that the few that do hit store shelves "will be much larger, event-size games." And he expects that other major developers will follow suit: You'll see "fewer games from the major third parties, like EA, Activision, and Ubisoft." If third parties don't see sales on the console, says Kramer, they'll stop developing for it.

JoystiqCapcom: Wii is 'a tough market to crack' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomconsolefeaturefewer-but-bettergamasutraNintendoreleasesthird-partythird-party-developertitlesWiizach-and-wikiFri, 08 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Fils-Aime: 'effectively marketed' third-party titles can sell on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/nintendos-fils-aime-effectively-marketed-third-party-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/nintendos-fils-aime-effectively-marketed-third-party-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/nintendos-fils-aime-effectively-marketed-third-party-titles/#comments Despite slow to non-existent sales for several high-profile third-party Nintendo Wii titles, the company's US head, Reggie Fils-Aime, still believes that third-party publishers on Nintendo's console can be successful. Speaking with Kotaku, Fils-Aime says he's "extremely disappointed" with the lack of major third party games on the Wii. He even goes so far as to say he's spoken (presumably quite sternly) with "every publisher who makes content that is not available on my platform" about the subject.

When questioned as to why major titles like Grand Theft Auto IV and Assassin's Creed 2 aren't headed to his company's console, he explains it as a measure of long lead times rather than technological inability. "Typically decisions are being made two years prior ... and so the decisions two years ago were that those types of games would not be effective on the platform." And though the subject isn't directly broached, Fils-Aime remains steadfast that third-party titles can be successful on the Wii ... with the right marketing. "High-quality, effectively marketed against our installed base, will sell. Period. End of story."

It would appear then that Boom Blox, The Conduit, No More Heroes, and a mess of other third-party titles, had some truly ineffective marketing by Reggie's standards.

JoystiqNintendo's Fils-Aime: 'effectively marketed' third-party titles can sell on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-2businessdead-space-extractiongrand-theft-auto-ivgta-ivmarketingNintendoreggie-fils-aimethird-partyWiiTue, 17 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Scribblenauts achieves noteworthy 194K sales in September]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/scribblenauts-achieves-noteworthy-194k-sales-in-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/scribblenauts-achieves-noteworthy-194k-sales-in-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/scribblenauts-achieves-noteworthy-194k-sales-in-september/#commentsIn its first two weeks on the market in North America, Scribblenauts sold 194,000 units, making it the third highest-selling DS title in September, behind Mario & Luigi and Kingdom Hearts sequels. That's 105,000 more copies than Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars moved in its first month.

We asked 5TH Cell creative director Jeremiah Slaczka if it met his expectations. "I didn't have any expectations," he told Joystiq. "I just hoped it'd do well. It's awesome for a completely new, original 3rd party IP on DS to do so well."

Does this strong debut mean a sequel is guaranteed? "Way too early to tell that," Slaczka said. "We've only seen 2.5 weeks of sales." He told us that Drawn to Life, which went on to break a million worldwide, only sold 40,000 copies in its first month, with one more week of sales in that month.

JoystiqScribblenauts achieves noteworthy 194K sales in September originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-cellDSNintendonpdPuzzlesalesscribblenautsthird-partywarner-bros-interactiveWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentWBIETue, 20 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Upcoming Xbox 360 update locking out 'unauthorized' Memory Units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/17/upcoming-xbox-360-update-locking-out-unauthorized-memory-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/17/upcoming-xbox-360-update-locking-out-unauthorized-memory-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/17/upcoming-xbox-360-update-locking-out-unauthorized-memory-units/#comments Don't worry, folks -- Microsoft knows you really hate those subversive little devils making third-party Memory Units, what with their 2GB and 4GB offerings for the Xbox 360. In an effort to stamp out these Doris Dogooders from your Xbox Live Experience[TM], Microsoft's Major Nelson announced on his blog yesterday that "When Preview Program members start receiving the Xbox 360 system update next week, one of the changes is that unauthorized Memory Units will no longer work."

In plain English, this means that any third-party Memory Unit you might have been using will be rendered useless. Mr. Hryb suggests moving any saves on said devices get moved to an authorized one, unless losing access to "stored profile or saves games" simply ain't no thang for you.

JoystiqUpcoming Xbox 360 update locking out 'unauthorized' Memory Units originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboard-updatedashboard-update-fall-2009datelDatel-Max-Memorymajor-nelsonmemory-cardmemory-unitmicrosoftthird-partyXbox-360Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MGS Rising levels third-party playing field, Microsoft's Kim declares]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/mgs-rising-levels-third-party-playing-field-microsofts-kim-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/mgs-rising-levels-third-party-playing-field-microsofts-kim-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/mgs-rising-levels-third-party-playing-field-microsofts-kim-dec/#comments Someday, we'll talk about third-party exclusives like the way we talk about car phones, Laserdiscs and troll dolls -- a thing of the past. That someday could be sooner than you think, if Microsoft exec Shane Kim is to be believed. "[Microsoft has] said for a long time that a key part of our strategy with Xbox 360 was a level third-party playing field," Kim tells Gamasutra in a recent interview. "Now we've effectively done that with Metal Gear Solid [Rising] coming to the Xbox 360."

Short of a blank check from Microsoft or Sony -- like, what was the asking price for Agent exclusivity, you know? -- there's little incentive for a third-party publisher to release a big-budget game for only Xbox 360 or PS3. It's possible that third-party exclusives will flourish as small, downloadable games and DLC (though those GTA IV add-ons weren't cheap for Microsoft), but it's more likely that they'll diminish as cheap carnival games -- geddit? Of course, with Microsoft and Sony designing their own waggleware apparatuses, such low-grade third-party exclusives won't necessarily continue to be exclusive, either.

Still, Kim argues that "exclusive content is really important." And so, it's up to the first-party publishers to essentially unlevel the playing field with their own IPs. "[It's] really not about relying on third parties, because I don't think that that is sustainable, as we've proven," Kim concludes. "And it's up to each of us to differentiate on our own."

JoystiqMGS Rising levels third-party playing field, Microsoft's Kim declares originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exclusivitymetal-gear-solid-risingmgs-risingmgsrmicrosoftshane-kimthird-partyXbox-360Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[New Nintendo hardware coming when the company finds a 'very interesting idea']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/new-nintendo-hardware-coming-when-the-company-finds-a-very-inte/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/new-nintendo-hardware-coming-when-the-company-finds-a-very-inte/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/new-nintendo-hardware-coming-when-the-company-finds-a-very-inte/#comments
At least, that's according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, speaking to a sharp-tongued investor during the company's quarterly financial results briefing question and answer session. When asked about the longevity of the current Nintendo hardware on the market, Iwata said, "As soon as a new hardware is completed and introduced to the market, a team is established within the company which starts reviewing what the next hardware will be."

He claims entire hardware pieces have been scrapped in favor of finding a "very interesting idea that can make people all over the world to feel like purchasing [it]," rather than releasing products all willy nilly -- like a few items from Nintendo's past. Interestingly, the man also admits to lacking Japanese third-party support for Wii, saying, "Nintendo thought that the situation would change in about two years after launch [for the Wii and third party software support] ... While our assumption turned out to be correct with the portable system, it did not progress as we anticipated for the domestic home console market." Considering the considerable Monster Hunter support Capcom has thrown into the proverbial ring, we imagine that next year's third-party support for the Wii in Japan has been bolstered just a bit.

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqNew Nintendo hardware coming when the company finds a 'very interesting idea' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomDShardware-salesjapanNintendosatoru-iwatasoftware-salesthird-partyWiiFri, 22 May 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Reggie: Third-parties don't 'get' Wii [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/reggie-third-parties-dont-get-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/reggie-third-parties-dont-get-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/reggie-third-parties-dont-get-wii/#commentsFiled under:


The third-parties-on-Wii debate has raged for longer than we care to remember. In fact, we now counter accusations that the console lacks great third-party titles with the same, well-rehearsed response: "de Blob Zack & Wiki Resident Evil 4 World of Goo The Conduit No More Heroes Little King's Story Blast Works LostWinds Guitar Hero World Tour Okami Boom Blox Let's Tap Geometry Wars Muramasa Mega Man 9 Trauma Center." It's a bit lacking in coherency and punctuation, but people usually edge away when we shout it in their faces.

Nintendo bossman Reggie Fils-Aime (who is earning a reputation for frankness) is the latest industry figure to question the Wii's third-party output, suggesting that third-parties don't yet understand the platform. He reckons people who purchase Wiis are interested in games that sell strongly on other systems, but that the quality is missing. "I will be able to say our licensees 'get it' when their very best content is on our platform," he told Forbes. "And with very few exceptions today, that's not the case."

[Update: typo]

[Via Nintendo Everything]

JoystiqReggie: Third-parties don't 'get' Wii [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>reggiereggie-fils-aimethird-partyTue, 18 Nov 2008 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii's decent software tie ratio highlighted by SCIENCE]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wiis-decent-software-tie-ratio-highlighted-by-science/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wiis-decent-software-tie-ratio-highlighted-by-science/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wiis-decent-software-tie-ratio-highlighted-by-science/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's that time again, readers -- time to roll our sleeves up and get elbow-deep in some graphs. Woo! These examples are from the graph experts at Gamasutra, and smash a myth that has hung around the Wii too long for our liking: that the console has a rubbish tie ratio (the number of games sold per console). Indeed, the PS3 is marginally behind Nintendo's platform in this respect. Not bad for a console that, unlike the PS3, comes with a free game to get started! A second graph at Gamasutra confirms that the Wii's tie ratio has very slightly improved during 2008.

One Wii myth this data does reinforce is that Nintendo totally dominates the Wii software scene; again, it's a familiar complaint, but there's obviously some credibility to it.

JoystiqWii's decent software tie ratio highlighted by SCIENCE originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attach-rategraphthird-partytie-ratioThu, 06 Nov 2008 19:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's new PSP strategy: 'You cannot have ports.']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/sonys-new-psp-strategy-you-cannot-have-ports/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/sonys-new-psp-strategy-you-cannot-have-ports/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/sonys-new-psp-strategy-you-cannot-have-ports/#commentsFiled under: ,

With third-party PSP support dwindling and becoming increasingly coveted -- even by Sony's own Shuhei Yoshida -- it seems that a new plan of action is in order for the high-tech, twice-revised handheld. Speaking to Edge Online, SCEA's director of hardware marketing, John Koller, provided just such a strategy: "You cannot have ports."

Sony hopes to guide publishers and developers down a better path, enabling them to produce PSP games that take a cue from their console versions, but leave the identical content and gameplay behind. "The recipe for success on the PSP resides simply in providing franchise games that are strong brand names like on consoles, but have unique gameplay on the system," said Koller, listing Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, God of War: Chains of Olympus and the forthcoming Midnight Club as titles that stand on their own, despite their recognized branding.

Koller went on to predict that 2009 would see "significant growth" for the PSP, with "a number of very strong franchise games" on the way and revitalized hardware sales bringing publishers back from the brink. And who knows? Maybe those persistent petitioners will finally get their Assassin's Creed PSP game.

JoystiqSony's new PSP strategy: 'You cannot have ports.' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crisis-CoreCrisis-Core-Final-Fantasy-7Crisis-Core-Final-Fantasy-VIIFinal-FantasyGod-of-WarJohn-KollerMidnight-ClubPSPRPGSCEASony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaSquare-EnixThird-PartyThu, 25 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Wii is 'inhospitable' for third parties]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/13/analyst-wii-is-inhospitable-for-third-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/13/analyst-wii-is-inhospitable-for-third-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/13/analyst-wii-is-inhospitable-for-third-parties/#commentsFiled under: ,


Just when you thought the embers were finally beginning to cool regarding the oft-contested state of third-party game sales on the Wii, leave it to some analyst to breathe generously on the dying fire and get it going again once more. Cowen Group's Doug Creutz is just such an analyst, as he calls Nintendo's console a "relatively inhospitable platform for third-party publishers."

Offering an example, Creutz points out that notwithstanding Madden 09's recent NPD dominance, the Wii version of EA's annual gridiron push sold significantly less compared to those on the PS3 and Xbox 360. How significant? Despite a larger console install base, the Wii version sold 87 percent fewer copies than those sold for the Xbox 360, and 79 percent less than those for the PS3 according to the analyst -- his life is obviously split between advising investors where to put their cash and stirring fanboys into a tizzy.

JoystiqAnalyst: Wii is 'inhospitable' for third parties originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystmadden-09third-partythirdpartywiiSat, 13 Sep 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Is the Wii 'inhospitable' for third-party publishers?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/is-the-wii-inhospitable-for-third-party-publishers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/is-the-wii-inhospitable-for-third-party-publishers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/is-the-wii-inhospitable-for-third-party-publishers/#commentsFiled under:

At least one analyst thinks it is, and he's not short of support. Cowen Group analyst Doug Creutz's comments were prompted by the latest NPD figures, in which the Xbox 360, PS3, and PlayStation 2 versions of Madden NFL 09 hogged the top three positions, with the Wii version relegated to ninth place, behind Wii Play, Wii Fit, and Mario Kart Wii. "We continue to believe that the Wii is a relatively inhospitable platform for third-party publishers," said Creutz.

Is he stating the obvious, or does the success of certain third-party titles suggest otherwise? In the past, we've found many fans pin the blame for low third-party sales on third-party developers, suggesting that better quality products would compete with Nintendo's own wares. Can the same be said, however, when even critically acclaimed titles such as No More Heroes and Zack & Wiki sell poorly?

JoystiqIs the Wii 'inhospitable' for third-party publishers? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystdoug-creutznpdthird-partyFri, 12 Sep 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Screen Digest: Wii tops other consoles in original IP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/screen-digest-wii-tops-other-consoles-in-original-ip/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/screen-digest-wii-tops-other-consoles-in-original-ip/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/screen-digest-wii-tops-other-consoles-in-original-ip/#commentsFiled under:


This isn't something we hear often: according to a Screen Digest report, the Wii has more exclusive original IP than the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. The report says the Wii has more than twice the number of games based on original IP than the PS3 and one third more than the Xbox 360. "Wii's unique interface and market-leading hardware sales rates have convinced publishers to deepen support levels for the platform," Screen Digest said. "Cheap development costs have also enabled a number of smaller publishers."

And before you rush to the comments form, we'll say it for you. Yes, a lot of that original IP is terrible and/or "shovelware." So what? Some of it may be junk, but some of it is No More Heroes or Monster Lab or Madworld or Little King's Story. Of course, all this new content could end up being a problem for the Wii market: Screen Digest suggests that the Wii could end up being "the most competitive and congested" of the consoles. Oh no, too many games!

JoystiqScreen Digest: Wii tops other consoles in original IP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipthird-partyThu, 28 Aug 2008 08:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft totally hearts MotionPlus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/18/ubisoft-totally-hearts-motionplus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/18/ubisoft-totally-hearts-motionplus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/18/ubisoft-totally-hearts-motionplus/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nintendo kept the Wii MotionPlus a secret from everybody for as long as possible, a move that resulted in grumbling from certain third-party developers.

That hasn't diminshed enthusiasm for the tiny add-on, however. During an interview with Gamasutra, Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat couldn't praise the MotionPlus enough (even though he admitted having some doubts at first), enthusing about how the peripheral would make gaming feel "seamless," and arguing that it could only lead to a more immersive experience. "It's one thing to have your brain interpolating what you're doing," gushed Mallat, "[but ] it's another thing to not need that interpolation work."

Elsewhere in the interview, Mallat expressed his view that Shaun White Snowboarding was a "must-try" and described developing Dogz as "psychologically very exciting." Hmm.

JoystiqUbisoft totally hearts MotionPlus originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorymotion-controlmotionplusshaun-whiteshaun-white-snowboardingthird-partyubisoftwii-motionpluswii-remotewiimoteyannis-mallatMon, 18 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft disputes Nintendo's third-party victory claims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/microsoft-disputes-nintendos-third-party-victory-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/microsoft-disputes-nintendos-third-party-victory-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/microsoft-disputes-nintendos-third-party-victory-claims/#commentsFiled under: , ,


"No matter how you slice it, the Wii third party game story is not a pretty one," says David Dennis, group manager of corporate peeyarr at Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. The fighting talk comes in response to a recent claim by Nintendo that the Wii was besting its competitors (reminder: Sony and Microsoft) in terms of third-party game sales, a claim Microsoft has told GamesIndustry.biz is incorrect.

According to NPD third-party software figures, Microsoft's system has sold 67,929,999 units, followed by the Wii at 33,394,311 units and the PlayStation 3 at 19,976,325. Looking at sales occurring since the launch of the Wii, the Xbox 360 has managed 54,065,728 units (compared to Wii's 33,394,211), though it obviously benefited from having a larger install base to feed off at the time.

This particular third-party tussle has been going on since last week, when the NPD delved into sales numbers and revealed the Wii to be ahead when compared to its competitors' initial 19 months. It's all a matter of perspective, you see, albeit one that publishers (releasing games for the market as it exists right now) might not necessarily adopt. Still, with the hardware battle being won by Wii, it isn't surprising to see Microsoft putting up a fight on a more even battleground.

JoystiqMicrosoft disputes Nintendo's third-party victory claims originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChartsMicrosoftNintendoNPDSalesThird-partyWiiXbox-360Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: Wii third-party sales 'not a pretty story']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/microsoft-wii-third-party-sales-not-a-pretty-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/microsoft-wii-third-party-sales-not-a-pretty-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/microsoft-wii-third-party-sales-not-a-pretty-story/#commentsFiled under:


Despite NoA's VP, Denise Kaigler, showing us all a graph with some lines on it, group manager of corporate PR at Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, David Dennis, wants us all to know that the information presented in Kaigler's little chart is wrong. To help set the record straight (and also point out how awesome is company is, we guess), Dennis offered up the following tidbits of info:
  • Total third party sales for the Xbox 360 since launch is currently 67,929,999 units, followed by the Wii at 33,394,311 units and the PlayStation 3 at 19,976,325 units.
  • Third party sales for the Xbox 360 since the launch of the Wii and PS3 is 54,065,728 units, still almost double the Wii's 33,394,311 units.
  • If you take the total number of units sold and divide that by the number of titles released since November 2006, the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are selling more units per title on average than the Wii. This puts the Xbox 360 at 217,252 units per title, the PS3 at 156,065 units and the Wii at 132,517 units.
We have a feeling that any company can spin sales figures the right way, in their favor, but no matter how you slice it, the Wii is still on top overall. So take that, competition!

[Thanks, jimb!]

JoystiqMicrosoft: Wii third-party sales 'not a pretty story' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessmicrosoftnintendo-wiisalessalesfiguresthird-partyxbox-360xbox360Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo releases third-party sales chart, NPD clarifies some details]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/nintendo-releases-third-party-sales-chart-npd-clarifies-some-de/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/nintendo-releases-third-party-sales-chart-npd-clarifies-some-de/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/nintendo-releases-third-party-sales-chart-npd-clarifies-some-de/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Nintendo has sent GameDaily a second chart to set the "record straight" that third-party titles do sell on the Wii -- when comparing all consoles for the first 19 months. We contacted NPD to get a little more objective perspective on the matter and the company broke down some data and answered our questions about the true impact of Wii Play.

For the first 20-months at market, which is pretty much what the above graph shows, this is the breakdown:
  • Wii: 60 million software units total, 56% are third-party units or 33 million (Nov. '06 through June '08)
  • Xbox 360: 35 million software units, 84% third-party or 29 million (Nov. '05 through June '07)
  • PS3: 25 million software units, 82% third-party or 20 million (Nov. '06 through June '08)

Continue reading Nintendo releases third-party sales chart, NPD clarifies some details

JoystiqNintendo releases third-party sales chart, NPD clarifies some details originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsmicrosoftnintendoPS3sonythird-partythird-party-salesWiiXbox-360Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: First-party Fanboy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/wii-warm-up-first-party-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/wii-warm-up-first-party-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/wii-warm-up-first-party-fanboy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Njoy's "G-Board" Balance Board will become the first third-party Balance Board released to market on September 12th, yet not many of you were bowled over by it.

A prohibitive price probably didn't help in that respect (Njoy's Board is just £5 less than Nintendo's own Balance Board, which comes with Wii Fit), but where do you stand (har) in general on third-party controllers and peripherals, be they Zappers, Balance Boards, or Wiimotes? Several gamers we speak to tell us how they'll only buy first-party, the logic being that the original manufacturers of any console will always make the best and most suitable controllers for it. Is that an idea you subscribe to?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: First-party Fanboy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boardthird-partywwuSat, 02 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: The year of third parties]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/ds-daily-the-year-of-third-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/ds-daily-the-year-of-third-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/ds-daily-the-year-of-third-parties/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo had a very significant release early this year with Professor Layton, and they've got one of the best games of the year ahead -- also some Pokémon stuff, and even a Kirby game. But for most of the year, it's been third parties' time to shine. And the third parties have taken advantage of it -- most notably, perhaps, in the form of Guitar Hero: On Tour, which so suitably served as a surrogate for a Nintendo release that it had its own hardware bundle.

Stephen Totilo mentioned in a post yesterday that he's found himself playing a lot of high-quality third-party DS games this year, from Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword to Space Invaders Extreme, and games like Zubo and Grand Theft Auto mean that non-Nintendo publishers are going to continue dominating. He even got past the tutorial in Lock's Quest and found that "It plays well, it's fun. I'm hooked."

Have you been leaning heavily on third-party games this year? Or are you waiting for Bangai-O, N+, Dragon Quest IV, or one of the many other great new games to come out?

JoystiqDS Daily: The year of third parties originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gta-chinatown-warsguitar-herolocks-questninja-gaidenthird-partySat, 02 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[For your Njoyment: the first third-party Balance Board]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/for-your-njoyment-the-first-third-party-balance-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/for-your-njoyment-the-first-third-party-balance-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/for-your-njoyment-the-first-third-party-balance-board/#commentsFiled under: ,

The first third-party Balance Board has appeared over at Amazon's UK site, complete with a price of £64.99 and a release date of September 12th. Handily, it features markings to tell you where your feet need to go (in case you forgot), and a tiny LCD display, which presumably informs you just how hideously overweight you are, and thus how ashamed you should feel when in public. It's being made by a company called Njoy, and is known as the "G-Board Balance Board."

Pleased as we are to see increased options in the Balance Board arena, we foresee two problems with this. One: as Nintendo's official Balance Board is already a superbly constructed piece of kit, it's going to take a Herculean effort for the G-Board to beat it on build quality; foot markers and a miniscule LCD panel might not be enough. Two: £64.99?! As we recall, the official model is only £5 more, and comes with a damn good game.

[Via Balance Board Blog]

JoystiqFor your Njoyment: the first third-party Balance Board originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boardg-boardnjoythird-partyukwii-fitFri, 01 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Which Nintendo system favored third-party publishers the most?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/which-nintendo-system-favored-third-party-publishers-the-most/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/which-nintendo-system-favored-third-party-publishers-the-most/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/which-nintendo-system-favored-third-party-publishers-the-most/#commentsFiled under: ,


You would think DS, no? That's exactly what we thought, as the handheld is home to more amazing third-party games than any other console in recent memory, but that is not the case. It turns out, the SNES was the best Nintendo console for third-party publishers. Who would've known?

Keep in mind, though, that this is merely based on Aeropause's own evaluation and may not be representative of how much money publishers made on each system, or the quality of the titles they released on said platform. It's more or less based on an article in the latest Nintendo Power where the staff ranked their top 20 games for each Nintendo system.

What do you all think? Which Nintendo system had the greatest batch of stellar third-party titles in your eyes? We're going to stick with DS. It seems like a no-brainer to us.

JoystiqWhich Nintendo system favored third-party publishers the most? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-boygamecubegban64nesrankrankingssnesthird-partywiiTue, 29 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Riccitiello upbeat about MotionPlus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/riccitiello-upbeat-about-motionplus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/riccitiello-upbeat-about-motionplus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/riccitiello-upbeat-about-motionplus/#commentsFiled under:


Of course, EA CEO John Riccitiello's job is to make every decision his company makes sound both well-considered and awesome, even when he's backhandedly saying that some things didn't work out. In an interview with VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi, he managed to both dismiss their past games and sound optimistic, thanks to the enhanced spin tracking found in the Wii MotionPlus device.

"The Wii MotionPlus is going to be good. If I had to pick one thing we suffered from, it was imprecise control on the Wii. That meant certain genres were never going to perform as well on the Wii." The MotionPlus, according to Riccitiello, is "an opportunity for third parties to be more successful."

The new peripheral, along with Nintendo's now-famously "weak" E3 lineup, means that this is a good year for companies like EA to put out Wii software. "Frankly, if you look at Nintendo, it's obvious there is a chance for third-party success. They didn't show a lot of content from Nintendo's first-party group. They got a lot of that out last year. So third-party games will likely do better."

JoystiqRiccitiello upbeat about MotionPlus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamotionplusriccitiellothird-partyTue, 22 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MotionPlus totally ambushes third-party developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/motionplus-totally-ambushes-third-party-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/motionplus-totally-ambushes-third-party-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/motionplus-totally-ambushes-third-party-developers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We mucky commoners have known about the Wii MotionPlus add-on for just over a week now, but don't go thinking it's any different for third-party developers. At E3, Game Informer approached several third-parties about the peripheral, and were repeatedly told that the accessory was news to them -- as they understood it, Nintendo simply hadn't told anybody about the MotionPlus, prior to it being revealed last Monday.

In other words, we can safely not expect a flood of third-party releases supporting the peripheral. On top of that, the developers doubt they'll be able to implement Wii MotionPlus into upcoming projects, such was the secrecy that surrounded the project. Not clever, Nintendo.

JoystiqMotionPlus totally ambushes third-party developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorymotion-controlmotionplussecretthird-partywii-motionpluswii-remotewiimoteTue, 22 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hama planning to manufacture their own Wiimote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/hama-planning-to-manufacture-their-own-wiimote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/hama-planning-to-manufacture-their-own-wiimote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/hama-planning-to-manufacture-their-own-wiimote/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click for super-huge image

According to Wiiz, these third-party Wiimotes are being developed by Hama. In a quick check of the internets, we could find no listing for these Wiimotes, so we're assuming they're still early in development. And, you know what that means: no price, as of yet. Still, you have to admit, they look better than the Riimote. At least, we think so.

Hit up the gallery below for some images of Hama's Wiimote from different angles.



Got a love for gaming hardware? So do we, which is why we recently took a look back at the peripherals that paved the way for the Balance Board. If you're more of a third-party kind of person, check out our Nyko write-ups for the Energy Pak, a wireless nunchuk adapter, the Kama wireless nunchuk and Perfect Shot.

JoystiqHama planning to manufacture their own Wiimote originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hamathird-partywiimoteWed, 04 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ blames failure on Nintendo first-party titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/thq-blames-failure-on-nintendo-first-party-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/thq-blames-failure-on-nintendo-first-party-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/thq-blames-failure-on-nintendo-first-party-titles/#commentsFiled under:


Not a new complaint, this one. Previously, both analysts and developers have suggested that Nintendo's first-party software is too strong to compete with, and now THQ has joined in on the despairing.

At a Q4 earnings call with investors, President and CEO Brian Farrell has admitted that THQ's kids' games had underperformed, and that Nintendo's own output was the reason why. Says Farrell: "With [...] new competition from Nintendo's first-party titles -- as well as new music games -- our traditionally strong kids' business did not meet expectations."

JoystiqTHQ blames failure on Nintendo first-party titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-farrellbusinessfirst-partyfirstpartythird-partythirdpartythqWed, 07 May 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo hopeful third-party Wii games will sell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/nintendo-hopeful-third-party-wii-games-will-sell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/nintendo-hopeful-third-party-wii-games-will-sell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/nintendo-hopeful-third-party-wii-games-will-sell/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While 11 of the Wii's 14 best-selling games are made by Nintendo itself, the console maker isn't concerned that third party titles will always be behind in sales. According to a third quarter financial report (via Develop), "We identified the same thing in the DS' first period, and the situation continues to change little by little. For the Wii too, we believe that as time passes, the proportion of high-selling titles that come from our licensees will increase."

Nintendo notes that since the DS launched just over three years ago, only 28 of the 50 titles that have shipped over a million were first party. That's still a sizable portion, but nowhere near the disparity found in its motion control-loving relative. As for the success of Nintendo's software, the report noted that internal teams have been familiar with and developing titles for the hardware for much longer than anyone else because they "know the Wii's special characteristics best."

The problem of third-party games and Nintendo consoles heralds as far back as the Nintendo 64 and was recently observed by No More Heroes creator Suda51. Of course, it's probably a lot more complicated than third-party developers growing more accustomed to the Wii's "special characteristics." It should be noted that, of the top 15 best-reviewed Wii games according to Metacritic, only six are from Nintendo.

[Image from Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure]

JoystiqNintendo hopeful third-party Wii games will sell originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSnintendothird-partyWiiTue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Third party deja vu]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/wii-warm-up-third-party-deja-vu/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/wii-warm-up-third-party-deja-vu/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/wii-warm-up-third-party-deja-vu/#commentsFiled under:


Over the past year or so, we've heard a lot about the problems of third-party developers struggling with the Wii, or struggling to compete with Nintendo's own releases. It's an old issue for Nintendo gamers, but one that hardly seems to affect the DS. Do you think Nintendo's first party releases are shutting out other games on the Wii? Is it a problem of audience, development, something else, or a combination of elements? Or is it something we'll get past as we get deeper into the Wii's lifespan?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Third party deja vu originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>third-partyMon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Third-party Wiimote comes in GameCube purple]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/third-party-wiimote-comes-in-gamecube-purple/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/third-party-wiimote-comes-in-gamecube-purple/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/third-party-wiimote-comes-in-gamecube-purple/#commentsFiled under:



We've no idea whether or not Snakebyte's third-party Wii remote is a tribute to Nintendo's lunchbox, but we ask you: is there any other earthly reason to use that fruity shade? We'd also like to know the story behind that peculiar, rounded d-pad, or the tacky, clashing battery cover.

Most of all, however, we're keen to hear why Snakebyte has chosen to charge €39.99 for one of these, when the official model from Nintendo costs more or less the same? We're not going to criticize the ergonomic qualities of this Wiimote before we've held it in our own hands, but lower pricing is typically the greatest attraction of third-party peripherals. Perhaps Snakebyte is gambling on shortages of the official Wiimote continuing?

If your own Wiimote lacks sufficient amounts of purple, these will be appearing from February 8th.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqThird-party Wiimote comes in GameCube purple originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>snakebytethird-partywii-remotewiimoteFri, 25 Jan 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mizuguchi: 'Nintendo games are too strong']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/mizuguchi-nintendo-games-are-too-strong/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/mizuguchi-nintendo-games-are-too-strong/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/mizuguchi-nintendo-games-are-too-strong/#commentsFiled under:

Know who we'd like to see developing on the Wii? Tetsuya Mizuguchi, that's who. Some of his games would work beautifully on Nintendo's console. We can totally picture ourselves playing through a motion-based Space Channel 5, or using the Wii Remote to point and shoot in Rez.

Wii owners who also happen to be Mizuguchi fans shouldn't get their hopes up, though. Mizuguchi seems keen enough on the Wii itself, but confessed in an interview with Wired that he was a "little bit worried" about the strength of Nintendo games. We presume this is a reference to an increasingly common complaint from publishers and other industry folk that Nintendo's first-party titles are hogging sales.

Looks like an Ulala appearance in Sega Superstars Tennis could be the closest we get to grooving with Space Michael. Cry.

JoystiqMizuguchi: 'Nintendo games are too strong' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mizuguchisega-superstars-tennistetsuya-mizuguchithird-partyThu, 24 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nyko offering plethora of peripherals in early '08]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/nyko-offering-plethora-of-peripherals-in-early-08/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/nyko-offering-plethora-of-peripherals-in-early-08/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/nyko-offering-plethora-of-peripherals-in-early-08/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Third-party peripheral manufacturer Nyko is currently at CES showing off its new wares for early 2008. Though we've seen some of the stuff like the Wireless Wii Nunchuk before, we've now got details and pricing. A Nyko representative informed us that every item but the guitars should be out in the first quarter of '08 (before April) -- the guitars should be available in March or April.
  • Wireless Nunchuk: Two AAA batteries (included) supposedly give 30 hours of gameplay; suggested price of $30.
  • Xbox 360 Charge Base: Reminiscent of the Sixaxis charger redesign, suggested price is also $30.
  • Frontman wireless guitars (Wii and PS3): Frontman for Wii is fully compatible with Guitar Hero III and the PS3 version is compatible with Guitar Hero III and Rock Band. PS3 and Wii guitars will be $60 and $50 respectively.
  • PSP-2000 Charger Grip: "Ergonomic grips" with built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that should last 10 hours for $30.
  • PS3 Zero Wireless Controller: Up to 25 hours with rechargeable NiMH battery with motion sensing and vibration. Suggested price of $60.
There are more products being introduced, which you can see on Nyko's website; check out the gallery below for life-like images you could almost reach out and grab out of your screen.*

*Joystiq is not responsible for broken monitors and/or fingers belonging to those foolish enough to try.

[Via Press Release]

Gallery: Nyko CES '08 Peripherals

JoystiqNyko offering plethora of peripherals in early '08 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nykoperipheralsPS3PSPthird-partyWiiXbox-360Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shovelware: A cause and effect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/shovelware-a-cause-and-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/shovelware-a-cause-and-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/shovelware-a-cause-and-effect/#commentsFiled under:

Wii owners certainly can't complain about the number of third-party games available for the console. As MTV's Stephen Totilo puts it, where there was once a game drought for Nintendo systems (specifically in the N64 and GameCube eras), there's now a flood.

What Wii owners can complain about, however, is that a lot of these Wii games are nothing but shovelware. But, how do these games end up on the popular console? And, is it even ultimately a bad thing that they do?

Continue reading Shovelware: A cause and effect

JoystiqShovelware: A cause and effect originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bold-gamesdata-design-interactiveddidestineerpaul-rindeshovelwarestephen-totilothird-partyThu, 03 Jan 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Third-party rundown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/wii-warm-up-third-party-rundown/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/wii-warm-up-third-party-rundown/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/wii-warm-up-third-party-rundown/#commentsFiled under:

Some analysts like to paint a grim picture for third-party developers, but we certainly wouldn't be enjoying our Wiis as much without some third-party games in our library. With that said, what's your favorite third-party game that you own (or have played), and what one are you most looking forward to?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Third-party rundown originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>third-partySun, 02 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Todd Mitchell tells us how the Wii sucks for third-parties (again)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/todd-mitchell-tells-us-how-the-wii-sucks-for-third-parties-agai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/todd-mitchell-tells-us-how-the-wii-sucks-for-third-parties-agai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/todd-mitchell-tells-us-how-the-wii-sucks-for-third-parties-agai/#commentsFiled under:

Just in case you didn't hear him the first time he said it, Kaufman Bros. analyst Todd Mitchell has reiterated his belief that the Wii only truly benefits Nintendo, and that third-party developers have only seen "isolated successes" on the console.

Mitchell's argument may have been aired before, but it's also tricky to dismiss, especially as only two third-party titles have so far broken the one million sales barrier (launch twosome Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids). Then again, when it comes to top-drawer, original Wii software, Nintendo has delivered on a fairly regular basis. With the odd exception or two, can the same really be said of other publishers?

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqTodd Mitchell tells us how the Wii sucks for third-parties (again) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-partyfirstpartyindustryrayman-raving-rabbidsraymanravingrabbidsred-steelredsteelsalesThird-partythirdpartytodd-mitchelltoddmitchellFri, 30 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This holiday season will make or break the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/this-holiday-season-will-make-or-break-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/this-holiday-season-will-make-or-break-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/this-holiday-season-will-make-or-break-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

At least, that's what Eidos's Julien Merceron believes. The company's chief technology officer said recently in an interview, "Either third party developers and publishers will make money on the Wii platform [this Christmas], or they won't - and if most of them don't I think we'll see a big drop in support for the Wii next year, which could have some consequences for Nintendo, and very positive ones for Microsoft and Sony."

The way Merceron sees it, it's obvious that some Nintendo titles will make money this season, but third party games are another story. Of course, if third parties produce unimpressive stuff, we think that they shouldn't expect to be rewarded. Yet, it's a shame if quality games like Zack & Wiki don't succeed. But, what do you think? Will third party games sell well on the Wii this holiday season, and, more importantly, is the Wii's success depending on it?

JoystiqThis holiday season will make or break the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EidosHoliday-seasonJulien-MerceronThird-partyFri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii popularity bubble about to burst?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/16/wii-popularity-bubble-about-to-burst/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/16/wii-popularity-bubble-about-to-burst/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/16/wii-popularity-bubble-about-to-burst/#commentsFiled under:


Japanese business paper The Nikkei recently published a piece titled Software Houses Miscalculate Audience, Demand For Wii, wherein author Tomoyuki Kawai cites that many inside sources are not looking to the Wii with such a favorable eye any longer. The big worry is that all of this success the Wii has had has only benefited Nintendo and them alone, with many third-party developers jumping on board only to be left with titles on their hands that failed to sell. It's these development studios that are supposedly not profiting compared to their previous year earnings, the result being a lack of support for the console and no desire to commit to it in the future.

The piece goes on to say that a lot of the Wiis picked up by consumers have only started to gather dust (it's unconfirmed if this is the same report we've posted about here earlier).

JoystiqWii popularity bubble about to burst? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bubblejapanpopularitythird-partywiisportsTue, 16 Oct 2007 23:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese game pubs jumping from Sony to Nintendo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/japanese-game-pubs-jumping-from-sony-to-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/japanese-game-pubs-jumping-from-sony-to-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/japanese-game-pubs-jumping-from-sony-to-nintendo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The biggest third parties in Japan are throwing their support behind Nintendo in a big way. Namco/Bandai, Sega and Capcom are all increasing both the number of distinct titles and the number of units ordered for games on Nintendo systems, according to research done by the Nikkei newspaper and reported by Variety Asia. Namco Bandai alone is planning a ridiculous 115 games for the DS and Wii in fiscal 2007, a 109 percent increase. Sony, meanwhile, can expect a 30 to 40 percent decline in shipment orders from the big three, according to the report.

In more potential bad news for Sony, the Variety article off-handedly mentions that "Square Enix ... has no plans to develop titles for the PS3 until sales improve enough to make the steep development costs financially worthwhile." This seems to confirm earlier reports that the company wouldn't release any PS3 games until the next fiscal year starts on April 1, 2008. Deep breaths, Final Fantasy fans. Just remember, patience is a virtue.

JoystiqJapanese game pubs jumping from Sony to Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BandaiCapcomDSJapanjump shipJumpShipNamcoNamco BandaiNamcoBandaiNintendoPS3PSPSonythird-partyWiiWed, 27 Jun 2007 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii component connection on the cheap]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/wii-component-connection-on-the-cheap/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/wii-component-connection-on-the-cheap/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/wii-component-connection-on-the-cheap/#commentsFiled under:


For those of you who find adventure to be the spice of life, we've got one worth $6.71 USD. See, these Hong Kong cables, available for pre-order from superufo.com (they release on the 30th), look the part and are available at an insane price. Still, we've always been told if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Applying that lesson, we cannot bring ourselves to order them. Any of you willing to take the plunge or have you already made your own? Maybe third party products aren't your thing and you're going to wait out Nintendo's stock?

[Via Joystiq; thanks to all that sent this in!]

JoystiqWii component connection on the cheap originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3rd3rdpartycablescomponentnintendonintendowiipartythirdthird-partywiiMon, 27 Nov 2006 12:45:00 EST