Bethesda Says Wii U Development "A Possibility"
Bethesda said that Wii U development is a possibility, just don't expect to see Skyrim at the console's launch.
One of the things Nintendo's Wii console lacks is hard-core third-party support, partially because the device was/is marketed as a platform for all ages: it's a console for the kids, the teen, the adult and for grandma. That said, publishers like EA and Sega have difficulty pushing games to hard-core Wii owners who have seemingly already jumped ship over to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for their fix.
But if all goes well, that may not be the case with the Nintendo Wii U. Numerous publishers and developers -- including Crytek -- have expressed their heightened interest in the device. EA publicly re-committed itself to Nintendo during E3 2011 after turning its nose up to the original Wii. id Software and Bethesda have even professed their curiosity although fans shouldn't expect to see ports of RAGE and Skyrim at the console's launch.
"[Wii U development is] definitely a possibility for the future," said Bethesda marketing VP Pete Hines told Develop. "We'll look at any platform that will support the games we're trying to make, but that's the key thing - the console has to support the game as it is designed."
The ideal scenario is to develop a game with a specific platform in mind at the beginning as the studio has done with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, slated for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. Porting something like Skyrim over to Nintendo's new console would be a huge undertaking not because of the different hardware, but because the game wasn't designed with the Wii U and its unique controller in mind from the start. The more work Bethesda has to do, the "less palatable" the conversion becomes.
"Just doing 360, PS3 and PC - I don't think people understand the amount of work that goes into that," he admitted. "All of the localization you have to do, all of the testing you have to do, on every platform in every language, it's a pretty huge undertaking. So you aren't just supporting the Wii U; You're supporting it in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish."
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim arrives in stores on November 11, 2011.
- Report: Apple Slashes Orders for iPad Parts by 25%
- Amazon Adds 20th Century Fox Titles to Prime
- Microsoft Patents Modular Smartphone with Controller
- Samsung Accused of Ripping-Off iPad in Australian Court
- Polk Releases New UltraFit Sports Headphones
- Opinion: Do We Need Unlimited Data for the iPhone 5?
- Watch the LG G-Slate Get Torched by M2 Flamethrower
- Al Gore Says New iPhones Are Coming in October
- Sony: Gamers Get Better Scores in 3D
- Glowstick Implants May Help Diabetics Stay Healthy
- Samsung Ships 10,000,000 Galaxy S2 Handsets
- Apple Blocking Off October Vacations for Staff
- Amazon Announces Press Conference for Sept. 28
- Apple Confirms Next iPhone Event for October 4
- Report: Amazon Tablet Really PlayBook in Disguise
- The BlackBerry PlayBook Gets a $200 Price Cut
- McAfee Covers All Your Devices with "All Access"
- Swimsuit Models Take the Wheel in Next Need For Speed
- Minecraft Coming to Android Devices This Week
Why shouldn't they produce games for any damn platform they want, if they make a good game for a PC and Xbox will that game suddenly become less good if they make another one for the Wii?
No.
Too many console snobs moaning about the Wii U on general principle and it hasn't even been released yet.
If the Wii U is released with the standard crop of Zelda and Mario it will keep the normal Nintendo crowd happy, if they drop a shedload of hadcore games as well that should keep everyone happy, (in theory, you can't make fanbois happy)
Mr. Parrish, you wrote
Surely you meant that the more work Bethesda has to do, the "less profitable" the conversion becomes (due to higher expenses).
If the Wii U is released with the standard crop of Zelda and Mario it will keep the normal Nintendo crowd happy, if they drop a shedload of hadcore games as well that should keep everyone happy, (in theory, you can't make fanbois happy)
Perhaps.... but I suspect people that play the 'hardcore' games will either be PC gaming or they'll wait for the next gen Xbox or Playstation instead of splashing out on the Wii-U, which despite it's fancy hardware will still essentially be a casual gaming experience when compared to what MS and Sony will be wielding.
As far as I can tell,Nintendo are still marketing the Wii-U toward the same crowd that use the Wii, I'm not sure if that will work, I don't think the people that play Wii are interested in hardware specs or improved graphics, they'll happily play their old Wii console if the games are fun. They'll have to push the sell on HD experience and their new controller gimic.
despite it's fancy hardware will still essentially be a casual gaming experience when compared to what MS and Sony will be wielding
People are saying that, but there has to be a point where the hardware, regardless of who makes it, has the capability to do at such a high standard that any game can be done well.
After that it is just down to perception and that's when it all falls apart, because people are the weak link.
the wiiu could seriously become the console for shooters. ill be down voted to nothing based on the first sentence alone, so wont bother going into detail, but just think of it a bit and you will know why.
@Back_by_demand: I do agree in some way. I find games have reached a point now where they all look pretty spectacular. The Wii-U will be capable of displaying some fancy looking games for sure.
I don't think that hardware and graphics will ever stop speeding toward realism and shineyness though so there will always be a gap between the Wii-U capabilties and the next Sony/MS consoles, just like there is now. The 'hardcore' crowd will always want 'the best' though. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out
I'll wait until all 3 players show their hand.
The 'hardcore' crowd will always want 'the best' though. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out I'll wait until all 3 players show their hand.
4 players, there are 4 players.
Hardcore gamers use who want the best and are prepared to pay for it by a PC.
Wait, Bethesda do testing?
Mr. Parrish, you wrote "more palatable" Surely you meant that the more work Bethesda has to do, the "less profitable" the conversion becomes (due to higher expenses).
Palatable is used correctly in this sentence. He's saying its less acceptable to do it for the same reasons you mentioned.
Palatable is used correctly in this sentence. He's saying its less acceptable to do it for the same reasons you mentioned.
I think you missed the joke.
And again, my best friend works as a lead for a major developer. The Wii U units they have received are less powerful than the current XBox 360. Take it with a grain of salt, but don't get your hopes up just yet.
And again, my best friend works as a lead for a major developer. The Wii U units they have received are less powerful than the current XBox 360. Take it with a grain of salt, but don't get your hopes up just yet.
oh BS you keep spouting this BS my friend works for a lead Developer well ya know what if he did you could tell us cause guess what no developer has a secret code of NDA like statis that says he or she cannot say who she or he works for because it is no secret these game developers everyone knows the companies the bonly NDA you would have is if your friend broke NDA on a secret game that is it . so please tell us Idiot which Developer does your friend work for . ( Ubisoft EA Crytek Id software Epic games ) Which one ... if you cant tell us then your a lying Moron