For the first time in a very long time, third-party support will be a major factor on a Nintendo console. With big name games such as Mass Effect 3, Darksiders 2, and Assassin’s Creed 3 all arriving on the platform at launch, it seems (at least for the time being) that the Big N has finally mended the software gap that it faced with its competitors during the Wii era.
While the third-party support is beginning to lineup, one major developer, Bethesda, has admitted that it still isn’t on board with the Wii U hardware just yet.
Bethesda’s Pete Hines has revealed that the next-gen Nintendo console currently doesn’t fit in with their plans. While speaking with MCV, Hines went into detail about why the console isn’t something his company is currently looking at, but didn’t rule out supporting the system eventually – claiming that future Wii U projects are to be decided.
“So far the Wii hasn’t fitted into that. Whether Wii U does down the road is TBD.”
Hines went into greater detail, though, making clear that Bethesda wasn’t opting to not produce content on the format due to a lack of power – or anything of that nature for that matter. Simply, the studio just doesn’t want to invest in a console that is still without a concrete user base, and that’s completely understandable from a developmental perspective.
“For me the problems with new consoles are two-fold. The developers are trying to hit a moving technical target, because the platforms are being built. A new console doesn’t just show up a year before launch and is exactly what it will be when it comes out. It moves and iterates along the way. And introducing something like that to games that are in development is always a bit tricky. And that is obviously an element of risk.”
“The second point is that your install base always starts at zero. Then it comes out and suddenly a certain number of people buy it but it won’t be the same number as the current gen. So you have divided your audience. It’s then a case of: Are we just making it for the next gen? Or next gen and current gen? And how many people from the current gen that I’m targeting have moved over to the next gen? It does complicate things a little bit.”
Despite reports that Bethesda was considering porting Skyrim to the Wii U, it’s obvious that there are no current plans to support the hardware. Regardless, the Elder Scrolls dev isn’t withholding content for any other reason than to wait and see how well the Wii U performs at the marketplace. If it does well, then Bethesda’s current stance on the system will likely change.
That being said, it wouldn’t require much man-power or funds to port Skyrim over to the Wii U (in comparison to developing a new title from the ground up), and the potential to glance down at the GamePad and find where you’re located on a map is a rather tempting premise.
-
Follow me on Twitter @TheRileyLittle.
Source: MCV (via Video Gamer)
Electronic Arts Discontinues Online Pass Program 
Lionhead Job Listings Hint at ‘Fable 4′ ‘Reimagining’ the Franchise 
‘Deadpool’ Box Art Answers the Question: What Does ‘Awesome’ Look Like? 
PlayStation 4 Slogan Revealed; Next-Gen Xbox Name Possibly Confirmed 
Loading ...
Wont be on Wii U and cant figure out how to put DLC on PS3 anymore…Sounds an awful lot like Microsoft has their hand in Bethesda’s pants and the grip is getting tighter
The fact that they can’t put DLC on PS3′s Skyrim has nothing to do with their allegiance to Microsoft, but rather the lack of RAM in Sony’s console. They aren’t the only developer that have had problems due to this issue.
Neither does the PS3.
No. That was unfair. I’m sorry, Bethesda. I still love you.
“It wouldn’t require much man-power or funds to port Skyrim over to the Wii U.”
I’m guessing that Riley Little doesn’t know much about game development. The programmers will have to translate every piece of code into a different programming language, and I’m guessing there are millions upon millions of lines of code associated with Skyrim. That’s not even factoring in the fact that they’ll have to learn how to program for the Wii U GamePad and find different things to do with it. All of this will take a lot of time, and as we all know, Time = Money. So tell me, how will this project not require much man-power or money?
In comparison to building the game from the ground up, it would not cost as much or require the same level of man-power. Of course it’ll cost them money and hours, I’m not saying it’ll cost them pennies. -_-
They can also outsource the work if they so choose, and that takes absolutely zero of their internal developers away from them.
That’s not at all what you said. You didn’t compare the amount of man-power or funds to the original project, and you did not say anything about any developers other than Bethesda. If you had said “This would not require much man-power or money from Bethesda because they could simply outsource the work for this project to another developer,” it would have made sense, but nowhere in this article did you mention that, and it’s not safe to assume that Bethesda would have another developer work on their biggest series, even if it is just a port. Just remove or edit that part of the article to where it makes sense, because anyone with any competence who reads that will think that the author and site do not know anything about the way this industry works.
I couldn’t be less interested in a console release than I am with the Wii U.
+1
I couldn’t be more interested.
+1
I already have November 10th AND the 17th off…just in case.
I like to play good games.
I can’t wait.
Gamertag/ID is EastOfTheAnduin… see ya there.
What about friend code? xD
i’m noticing a lot of big game series ‘don’t fit’ into the devs schedule when it comes to the wii u. so far ive heard a lot about the power of it so what IS going to be on the wii u thats worthwhile?
I am now not certain where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I must spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic information I was searching for this information for my mission.
Visit my page; unlock the wii