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Interview: Ubisoft on Wii Launch Games
Ubi North America president Laurent Detoc gives us the scoop on Wii Far Cry, Blazing Angels and the new GT racer.
by Matt Casamassina
August 3, 2006 - Publisher Ubisoft on Thursday morning announced that it would bring seven new games to Nintendo's Wii console in time for the system's launch. The company's seven Wii efforts include the previously revealed Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids, as well as Far Cry, Blazing Angels, Open Season, Monster 4x4: World Circuit, and a racer codenamed GT. IGN recently chatted with Ubisoft North America's president, Laurent Detoc, about whether or not these games could realistically be called ports. And could Ubi be planning a Wii accessory for its new racer? Keep reading.
IGN Wii: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. What is your opinion of Nintendo's Wii console? Do you think it can compete at retail against Xbox 360 and PS3?
Laurent Detoc: Ubisoft believes in the Wii and we always have. We saw great potential in the platform from the beginning and as you know, have made a huge splash with Red Steel at E3 and now Rayman Raving Rabbids. Both of these games were built from the ground up for the Wii. Wii is a different video game experience than the Xbox 360 and PS3. It's unique, immersive and redefines the experience of playing games. We think it's going to be a hit.
IGN Wii: Seven Ubisoft launch titles for Wii! That's a lot of support. What is driving your decision to bring these games to Nintendo's new console?
Laurent Detoc: We made a bet by starting development for the Wii earlier than others and we intend to maintain our advance on the platform. You can see it as a double-down move. We don't have a crystal ball but we think the Wii is going to be a huge success right away and we want to be the number-one independent publisher for Wii in 2006.
IGN Wii: You announced Far Cry for Wii. Will this be a port of the Xbox version or based more on the 360 game? What can we expect in terms of graphics and gameplay control from this version of what is a very popular franchise?
Laurent Detoc: First, Far Cry Wii will include elements from Far Cry Insticts Evolution, in addition to a fresh storyline, new maps, characters and equipment. Second and even more importantly, Far Cry has strong diversity of gameplay so the game is a natural fit for the Wii remote.
Ubisoft North America president Laurent Detoc
IGN Wii: Far Cry will be releasing against Red Steel, another first-person shooter from Ubisoft. Are you afraid of cannibalizing your own sales?
Laurent Detoc: At first glance people think the remote is perfect for swinging movements like in baseball. I think FPS with varied gameplay using the Wii remote will be a blast. Both games will be excellent and offer different experiences.
IGN Wii: What major changes, if any, can we look forward to with the Wii version of Far Cry?
Laurent Detoc: You will be able to shoot using the remote; you will also be able to throw grenades, punch, jump, run and balance to keep from plunging to your death. You will also be able to drive cars, trucks and boats. If you're looking for a game that allows you to experience the true beauty of the Wii and its revolutionary remote technology, this is it.
IGN Wii: How will Blazing Angels be enhanced for Nintendo's new console?
Laurent Detoc: For a dog fighting game like Blazing Angels, we think the best idea is for the player to separate their two hands. The left and right hands will perform separate roles with less crossover and collaborative control patterns. Players will have an easier time concentrating on one hand while using the other to facilitate simple routines.
IGN Wii: How will Monster 4x4 be enhanced over the previously released version?
Laurent Detoc: From Day 1 we had a research team work on all the ways to exploit the remote and while Red Steel was unveiled first, driving controls have been studied ad-nauseum for a while now. So for Monster 4x4 we rebuilt the controls to use the motion-sensing features and aimed for easy controls with a focus on intuitiveness. This enables the best emotion possible in a driving game: you feel like you're at the wheel.
But it's an arcade game too so be ready for stunts. Your truck can do a donut when you make a circular movement.
IGN Wii: What can gamers expect from the racer GT Pro Series? The game seems to be exclusive to Wii. How does it use the remote to better the racing experience and what sort of features, cars and options can we expect in the finished product?
Laurent Detoc: GT Pro Series is inspired by a Japanese game that was never released here and Ubisoft is optimizing for the Wii. It will have more than 80 licensed cars, tons of tuning options and its fluid drift-style controls and physics. Talk about how the Wii changes the way you play games, we're working to include an accessory in GT Pro Series that will make this game a must have. Stay tuned, literally.
IGN Wii: Are there online modes planned for any of these games using either Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or WiiConnect24?
Laurent Detoc: We will be able to provide more information on this feature for each of the new games soon.
IGN Wii: Finally, any final words for Wii readers anticipating these projects?
Laurent Detoc: From what I've played and observed, the Wii will be successful. It changes our entertainment experience as gamers. It is innovation at its finest. As a creative company, Ubisoft embraced the remote as a gold mine for our talented developers to imagine new ways to play and interact with their TVs. That's what you will get from us across seven games in four different genres.
Quelle: www.ign.com
Ubi North America president Laurent Detoc gives us the scoop on Wii Far Cry, Blazing Angels and the new GT racer.
by Matt Casamassina
August 3, 2006 - Publisher Ubisoft on Thursday morning announced that it would bring seven new games to Nintendo's Wii console in time for the system's launch. The company's seven Wii efforts include the previously revealed Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids, as well as Far Cry, Blazing Angels, Open Season, Monster 4x4: World Circuit, and a racer codenamed GT. IGN recently chatted with Ubisoft North America's president, Laurent Detoc, about whether or not these games could realistically be called ports. And could Ubi be planning a Wii accessory for its new racer? Keep reading.
IGN Wii: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. What is your opinion of Nintendo's Wii console? Do you think it can compete at retail against Xbox 360 and PS3?
Laurent Detoc: Ubisoft believes in the Wii and we always have. We saw great potential in the platform from the beginning and as you know, have made a huge splash with Red Steel at E3 and now Rayman Raving Rabbids. Both of these games were built from the ground up for the Wii. Wii is a different video game experience than the Xbox 360 and PS3. It's unique, immersive and redefines the experience of playing games. We think it's going to be a hit.
IGN Wii: Seven Ubisoft launch titles for Wii! That's a lot of support. What is driving your decision to bring these games to Nintendo's new console?
Laurent Detoc: We made a bet by starting development for the Wii earlier than others and we intend to maintain our advance on the platform. You can see it as a double-down move. We don't have a crystal ball but we think the Wii is going to be a huge success right away and we want to be the number-one independent publisher for Wii in 2006.
IGN Wii: You announced Far Cry for Wii. Will this be a port of the Xbox version or based more on the 360 game? What can we expect in terms of graphics and gameplay control from this version of what is a very popular franchise?
Laurent Detoc: First, Far Cry Wii will include elements from Far Cry Insticts Evolution, in addition to a fresh storyline, new maps, characters and equipment. Second and even more importantly, Far Cry has strong diversity of gameplay so the game is a natural fit for the Wii remote.
Ubisoft North America president Laurent Detoc
IGN Wii: Far Cry will be releasing against Red Steel, another first-person shooter from Ubisoft. Are you afraid of cannibalizing your own sales?
Laurent Detoc: At first glance people think the remote is perfect for swinging movements like in baseball. I think FPS with varied gameplay using the Wii remote will be a blast. Both games will be excellent and offer different experiences.
IGN Wii: What major changes, if any, can we look forward to with the Wii version of Far Cry?
Laurent Detoc: You will be able to shoot using the remote; you will also be able to throw grenades, punch, jump, run and balance to keep from plunging to your death. You will also be able to drive cars, trucks and boats. If you're looking for a game that allows you to experience the true beauty of the Wii and its revolutionary remote technology, this is it.
IGN Wii: How will Blazing Angels be enhanced for Nintendo's new console?
Laurent Detoc: For a dog fighting game like Blazing Angels, we think the best idea is for the player to separate their two hands. The left and right hands will perform separate roles with less crossover and collaborative control patterns. Players will have an easier time concentrating on one hand while using the other to facilitate simple routines.
IGN Wii: How will Monster 4x4 be enhanced over the previously released version?
Laurent Detoc: From Day 1 we had a research team work on all the ways to exploit the remote and while Red Steel was unveiled first, driving controls have been studied ad-nauseum for a while now. So for Monster 4x4 we rebuilt the controls to use the motion-sensing features and aimed for easy controls with a focus on intuitiveness. This enables the best emotion possible in a driving game: you feel like you're at the wheel.
But it's an arcade game too so be ready for stunts. Your truck can do a donut when you make a circular movement.
IGN Wii: What can gamers expect from the racer GT Pro Series? The game seems to be exclusive to Wii. How does it use the remote to better the racing experience and what sort of features, cars and options can we expect in the finished product?
Laurent Detoc: GT Pro Series is inspired by a Japanese game that was never released here and Ubisoft is optimizing for the Wii. It will have more than 80 licensed cars, tons of tuning options and its fluid drift-style controls and physics. Talk about how the Wii changes the way you play games, we're working to include an accessory in GT Pro Series that will make this game a must have. Stay tuned, literally.
IGN Wii: Are there online modes planned for any of these games using either Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or WiiConnect24?
Laurent Detoc: We will be able to provide more information on this feature for each of the new games soon.
IGN Wii: Finally, any final words for Wii readers anticipating these projects?
Laurent Detoc: From what I've played and observed, the Wii will be successful. It changes our entertainment experience as gamers. It is innovation at its finest. As a creative company, Ubisoft embraced the remote as a gold mine for our talented developers to imagine new ways to play and interact with their TVs. That's what you will get from us across seven games in four different genres.
Quelle: www.ign.com
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