Ubisoft: ZombiU not even close to profitable, no plans for a sequel

[Deleted_171835]

The Wii U was sold with the promise of third party support but in subsequent months EA and Ubisoft, the former being the biggest publisher in the world and the latter probably being the second and also a staunch supporter of the Wii U, have variously pulled back from the Wii U. Though EA also have some things to say concerning Nintendo's online infrastructure, or lack thereof, many will be looking at Ubisoft's comments as their big effort on the Wii U was a wash for them and even mentions its role in the change of pace for Rayman Legends.

GamesIndustry.biz spoke with the Chairman and CEO of Ubisoft, Yves Guillemot about the Wii U. When asked about ZombiU, he said it was "not even close" to profitable. As such, he says that there are no plans (or even desire) for a sequel.

He even cited ZombiU's poor performance as the reason they decided to make Rayman Legends a multiplatform game.

For EA, at least, it's the system's lack of a rich multiplayer environment that's one of the big concerns - especially for sports titles. (That's part of the reason Madden won't appear on the system this year.)

"The lack of online engagement that we see on Wii U [is troubling]," says Moore. "It's so integral to what we do. They're so small it's hardly worth running the servers. It seems like a box that's out of sync with the future of EA - which is one that gives a real social feel to our games. The Wii U feels like an offline experience right now."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-07-08-does-nintendo-stand-a-chance-this-holiday

Guess "Zombi U" is a name better suited to the Wii U right now.

 

[natkoden]

Wii U is doomed.

 

[gamefan5]

So... is there are reason other than Ninty titles to buy the WiiU?
Patcher: I think not. (Simply put)
Me: Sadly, I have never agreed more. D:

 

[Gahars]

I thought a blow to the head was all that could kill zombies, but it looks like low sales do the trick, too.

 

[Taleweaver]

That's...very sad news. Double sad, even. ZombiU is an awesome game, hands down. I almost cringe to see it in gaming bins for 30euro's and lower now...I payed full price for it and enjoyed every second of it (okay, 'enjoying' isn't exactly what you're going for in a horror survival game, but you know what I mean). I honestly thought it made more than enough money for ubisoft.

...and now it turns out they lost so much that that in itself made them turn around on rayman.

I mean...I still seriously dislike that decision. But at least it's an argument.

 

[Qtis]

Not really unexpected, but bad for the customer nevertheless. If this keeps up, it will be really hard to justify not buying a PS4/XBOne for third party support. At least they have good reasoning behind this..

 

[BORTZ]

Good. I think today we made a step in the right direction. Adding zombies to things doesn't make them better. Also, adding the title specific to the Nintendo console the game is on doesnt help things either.

 

[shakirmoledina]

quite sad to hear the wii u has not received any considerable share of fan support since its announcement at e3.

 

[EzekielRage]

Why would you buy another console just for 3rd party support if you have a PC? Most PCs nowadays can handle modern games. Heck, my old PC from five years ago could still handle mdoern games like remember me perfectly?

 

[Qtis]

Why would you buy another console just for 3rd party support if you have a PC? Most PCs nowadays can handle modern games. Heck, my old PC from five years ago could still handle mdoern games like remember me perfectly?

Convenience would be the correct answer to your question, but that's besides the point. PC gaming has been superior compared to consoles for most of the time, especially during the last decade or so.

 

[EzekielRage]

I get convenience. Good answer. I was an avid console gamer myself but the Wi U was the last console I will buy for a LONG time. I still have a PS3 and I will ONLY upgrade to a PS4 if my PS3 dies... (I need it as BluRay Player, otherwise I wouldn't upgrade at all)

 

[DiscostewSM]

Didn't it sell ~460k copies? Wouldn't that make the attach rate about 1:7?

 

[boombox]

No wonder, the game is awful, especially looking at all the other zombie games offered out there!

 

[Deleted_171835]

No wonder, the game is awful, especially looking at all the other zombie games offered out there!

ZombiU isn't "awful".

 

[EzekielRage]

Zombi U is a damn good game, actually. Of course its not what the COD generation wants, its subtle and survival based - a dying genre, sadly.

The game probably was expensive so no wonder it made no profit. But I believe the Wii U is only HALF to blame, the otehr half to blame is the fct that nobody appreciates games like this anymore. Everything needs to be more BOOM and less subtle because the DAU (dumbest available user) can't understand anything else...

 

[emigre]

I was actually impressed at the implementation of the Wii U features. Shame it looks like some original ideas won't develop further.

Zombi U is a damn good game, actually. Of course its not what the COD generation wants, its subtle and survival based - a dying genre, sadly.

 

[Clydefrosch]

and it might not have anything to do with the game being a survival horror game, the kind of niche genre that hasn't seen a good day since its short hype back on the ps1?

now, rayman on the other hand, while not exactly the most beloved character in the world, would most likely have sold much more, cause there's an actual market for those pesky jump n runs

 

[EzekielRage]

I was actually impressed at the implementation of the Wii U features. Shame it looks like some original ideas won't develop further.

Very true. But a completely different Genre on a console with a MUCH higher install base. But you are right, The Last of us is ALSO an amazing survival horror experience and I really hope it sells well!

edit: Also, Zombi U got almost NO marketing. Somebody at Nintendo should learn about marketing, really...

 

[raulpica]

Looks like the WiiU is the new Dreamcast. We'll have people fondly remembering it in 10 years, talking of how it was so ahead of its time, and asking themselves why the evil companies made it fail even if it was awesome.

Duh.

 

[Smuff]

Looks like the WiiU is the new Dreamcast. We'll have people fondly remembering it in 10 years, talking of how it was so ahead of its time, and asking themselves why the evil companies made it fail even if it was awesome.

Duh.

Shit - Now I gotta go buy one in 10 years time