[Wii]EA/Midway/Ubi Love, Classic Controller Pics, Game Prices, Tony Hawk Video

[RC Cola]

My last Wii thread kind of got derailed (no help from me), so here's another thread about the Wii, and it should be a little more positive than the last two (poor tech specs and Camelot "leaving").

First up, apparently EA, Ubisoft, and Midway all love the Wii:
http://1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3152589
While speaking on a panel at the Ziff Davis Electronic Games Summit in Napa earlier today, Ubisoft North America President Laurent Detoc revealed that his company currently has seven titles in development for Nintendo's upcoming Wii platform. This show of support came as a surprise to many, as the company had previously only demonstrated two of those seven titles: Rayman Raving Rabbids and Red Steel.

Detoc praised the Wii several times during the panel, stating that he expects it to have "a large audience and market." He also stated that he personally felt that in a time when fewer and fewer games appeal to him, the Wii offers plenty of enjoyment. "The first time I picked up that sucker I couldn't stop playing it."

On the same panel, Midway President David Zucker stated that his company has six titles in development for the Wii.
IIRC, Midway did mention a Wii version for the new Mortal Kombat.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10311
Talking in the conference call following the announcement, EA executives particularly noted that "...we have ramped up [game] production for the Wii and DS Lite", following significant excitement over the Nintendo-created consoles at E3. The company revealed that it would probably ship 2 titles for the Wii launch period (Madden and Need For Speed), and 5 titles over the fiscal year ending March 2007.
There are some other details in that link too, some being about the 360 and PS3 as well as some info about the next subject:

Regarding Wii pricing, EA execs simply commented that publishers would have to decide on pricing themselves, but that Nintendo had indicated that first-party Wii titles would not be priced at more than $49.99 - suggesting that Electronic Arts games may debut for Wii at $49.99 at launch, though they did not state this specifically.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=18701
A spokesperson for Nintendo UK has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that the price of software for the next-gen Wii console will be "broadly in line" with the cost of current-gen games.

The confirmation follows a suggestion by Electronic Arts that Nintendo's first-party titles will go on sale for US$49.99. That would put games like Super Mario Galaxy on store shelves for US$10 less than their first-party Xbox 360 equivalents.
That part kind of confuses me since I think MS games for the 360 are $50 too.

Some pics of the "Classic Controller":
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/447/nintendo15ik3.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9462/nintendo25uf0.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4927/nintendo26wm2.jpg
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6438/nintendo27ip4.jpg
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/2884/wiivcon1ef1hf3.jpg
Those might be kind of old, but I'm guessing not all the 90+ people that are planning on getting a Wii saw them.

A gameplay video (with view of how the controller works) of Tony Hawk: Downhill Jam:
http://www.gametrailers.com/downloadnew.php?id=12173&type=wmv&f=

I think there were some screens of Sonic and Rampage, but they're not really that great to look at (imagine GC images of their past games). It isn't really worth posting Wii media unless it is video, preferably with footage of how the controller works...IMO anyway. Even then, I'm sure it doesn't compare to playing it in person.

Finally, it seems like at least 1 new (Nintendo) game will be announced pretty soon:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/722/722861p1.html
The Games Convention 2006 is gearing up to kick off in Leipzig, Germany, and Nintendo fans will definitely want to tune in for the event, which has over the years proven to be a miniature version of the Electronic Entertainment Expo for the region.

The GC 2006's official website reveals that beginning at 10:15 a.m. on August 23, Nintendo will hold a press conference from the exhibition titled: "Wii prove our promise." Few details about the conference itself are known, but the title is very telling.

Another, separate event titled "Electronic Arts / Nintendo" is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. the same day.

What can Nintendo enthusiasts expect? Well, if unsubstantiated reports out of France are to be believed, Nintendo may unveil as many as five never-before-seen Wii games. IGN is aware of at least one unannounced new project and we're confident gamers will be happy.

On top of everything else, some companies are set to show some of their Wii wares, presumably in playable form. Ubisoft has already said that its first-person shooter Red Steel and anticipated quasi-platformer Rayman Raving Rabbids will be on-hand in some capacity.

The Games Convention 2006 opens its doors officially from August 24 through August 27. IGN will, of course, be there to dissect every last Wii-related detail.

[seclusion]

I can't wait to play it, I honestly haven't been excited about a console since n64 came out. I bought a dreamcast...which I had fun with but it wasn't a big deal. I bought an xbox for halo, played a good amount of games on it. with that said, there's at least 5 or 6 titles for wii that I HAVE to have, it hasn't been like that for me in a long time. I'm very excited.

since I've gotten on my stint in "professional" gaming, I haven't had time much time, or really any desire to touch a console. it'll be nice to have a reason to play them again, not to mention something I can play with my girlfriend.

[MR. MEOWGI]

Hmm. How are you going to Skateboard on the controller for Tony Hawk?

[RC Cola]

Did you check out the video?

Edit: Or were you talking about the Classic Controller?

[seclusion]

Hmm. How are you going to Skateboard on the controller for Tony Hawk?

the controller is a "virtual controller" it's intended for the virtual console back catalog games [ie: n64, snes, nes, genesis, turbo graphic 16], as well as most gamecube games, and certain games like smash brothers.

[Master Baiter]

Everything I have seen about the Wii is pretty freaking awesome. I'm excited to get one.

[MR. MEOWGI]

Did you check out the video?

Edit: Or were you talking about the Classic Controller?

I was halfway joking - thinking about standing on the controller, but I missed the video. hahaha, I am really funny.

Are people going to dig the downhill instead of the regular skating?

[RC Cola]

I was halfway joking - thinking about standing on the controller, but I missed the video. hahaha, I am really funny.
I get it now. I haven't really slept yet, so I'm not exactly good at picking up subtle things right now. :o


Are people going to dig the downhill instead of the regular skating?
Not sure. I'm guessing this is the best way they could come up with as far as using the controller in an interesting way. Personally, I thought it was kind of "meh," but I might change my mind if I actually got to play it. I thought I read some E3 impressions that said it was pretty fun to play.

It probably doesn't help that I've been kind of "meh" on TH games in general, especially compared to the earlier ones.

[RC Cola]

More details about what Ubisoft has in store for the Wii:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/723/723080p1.html
Wii fans, Ubisoft is your new best friend. The publisher has supported Nintendo's Wii console since it was first revealed, eagerly readying such anticipated exclusives as the first-person shooter Red Steel and the action-platformer Rayman Raving Rabbids, both of which are set to debut with the system in a matter of months. But guess what? The French videogame giant is hardly stopping there. It has another five - yes, five games planned for Wii, and they'll all arrive in time for the platform's launch window.

Ubisoft today announced that it is in development with versions of Far Cry, Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, Monster 4x4 World Circuit and Open Season for Wii. In addition, the studio is bringing an all-new racer called GT Pro Series to the system.

The publisher also said that it has "many more titles in development" for Wii.

"We're thrilled that Ubisoft will be unveiling Wii versions of both exclusive new IP and established franchises," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and chief operating officer for Nintendo of America. "Bursting with creativity, innovation and unadulterated fun, these Ubisoft games embody the qualities that will make Wii a huge hit with gamers new and established, young and old."

"Media and analysts agree that Ubisoft has the greatest potential for reward with the new console's launch because we believed in its potential from the beginning," said Laurent Detoc, president of Ubisoft North America. "With an impressive lineup of launch games that offer something for everyone, we are in a unique position to benefit from the Wii's success in appealing to both new and hardcore gamers."

The popular first-person shooter Far Cry pits players on a mission through lush Amazonian jungles and equips them with a variety of weapons, vehicles and special powers to attack the enemy. The game will make full use of the Wii-mote for enhanced maneuverability and will likewise boast new content.

Blazing Angels utilizes the Wii controller for intense dog fighting scenarios set to the backdrop of WWII.

The racer GT Pro Series is developed by MTO and optimized by Ubisoft for Wii. Through a deal with MTO, Ubisoft is able to distribute the project everywhere in the world except Japan. GT features more than 80 licensed cars, detailed tuning options, fluid drift-style controls and physics, and more. The title has been specifically tailored to make full use of the Wii's revolutionary remote.

Open Season is an adventure game based on the Sony Pictures Animation's CG animated film of the same name.

Monster 4x4 World Circuit is a truck racer that has been completely revamped to make full use of the Wii control system. The title takes players fully off-road for some muddy displays of mechanical power.

Finally, previously announced bigwigs Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids round out the selection.

IGN interviewed Ubisoft North America's president, Laurent Detoc, about today's news. We highly suggest readers comb the interview for brand new information on Far Cry, Blazing Angels, GT Pro Series, and Monster 4x4: World Circuit for Nintendo's new console. Readers may be surprised to learn that these are much more than mere ports.

In addition, IGN has posted new screens of Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids, as well as first screens of Monster 4x4: World Circuit in our their related media sections.

With seven official launch window titles from Ubisoft, the ever-expanding library of holiday Wii games is nearing 30 titles, and there are still more to come.

[Drexlerfan22]

Those analog sticks look like they're positioned too low for comfort, but hopefully it's not as bad as it looks.

[seclusion]

Those analog sticks look like they're positioned too low for comfort, but hopefully it's not as bad as it looks.

looks okay to me, the guy who is holding it looks like he has pretty small hands and it looks like it fits him perfectly. [I have big hands]

[geeimsobored]

Those analog sticks look like they're positioned too low for comfort, but hopefully it's not as bad as it looks.

Yea I don't like the design either. They took an SNES control and gave them PS2 joysticks. They need to have some type of handle or extension to grip. Otherwise it looks too uncomfortable.

Either that or just use a gamecube control which is what I would do.

[ClutchCityReturns]

Mmmm...

Far Cry for Wii sounds quite good to me. :D

I hope that GT Pro Series is an in-depth sim. I'd be all over that like stink on sh!t.

[Raven Lunatic]

I'm curious as to how a FPS game will utilize the motion sensing technology. Will it be good enough to be able to utilize the Wiimote like a gun that you actually hold and aim? That could be pretty sweet, assuming it is responsive and accurate enough.

[RC Cola]

I was under the impression that FPS games would be something that the Wii would excel at. The Metroid Prime made it look pretty nice IIRC (although I hope you don't have to jump across a couch to shoot an enemy ;)).

I'd be more worried about how something like the TH game controls more so than how a FPS controls. Those should be pretty fun on the Wii (outside of the lower graphics/physics/AI/etc.).

[KingCheetah]

The 'regular' controller looks tiny -- that is going to be too small for my hands. Can you just use the split version for all the games?

[RC Cola]

As seclusion pointed out earlier, that controller seems to be mostly for playing games via the Virtual Console (or BC with the GC), although there might be some games that either require or play better with that controller (SSBB).

edit: I suppose there could always be 3rd-party controllers as well.

[AntiSonic]

The SNES design is a classic. Not sure how well it's going to be able to handle some of the designed_exclusively_for_an_N64_controller games though, even with the two anaglog sticks.

Playing an N64 emulator with a PS2-style controller comes off fairly well, but it has a couple of extra shouler buttons. I'm guessing that middle-right button on the top of the Wii pad is supposed to take the place of the N64's Z trigger? Looks like it would be kind of hard to do things like the long jump in Mario 64 or z-targeting in Zelda, unless you can re-map the buttons.