Activision Talks Wii U Support

While many developers are either outright pulling, or at least paring down, support for Nintendo's Wii U console less than a year after launch, there are still some publishers who are pushing for the console's success. Publishers like Electronic Arts and Bethesda acknowledge that the Wii U is dire need of content, but the risks inherent to releasing games on a console with a small install base are too great for those companies.

Activision, on the other hand, has put its feet firmly in Nintendo's corner by releasing some of their highly anticipated franchises, like Call of Duty, on the Wii U platform. And, as CEO Eric Hirshberg explains, that won't change anytime soon.

According to Hirshberg, Activision has the utmost confidence in Nintendo and believes the company is home to some of the most talented developers around. Yes, they are in a little bit of a bind, what with Wii U sales waning and all, but if Activision can do anything to right the ship they will. That includes putting out one of this year's hottest releases, Call of Duty: Ghosts, on the platform.

"[Nintendo is] obviously having a rough go with the Wii U launch thus far. But if we can add to the appeal of the platform then we absolutely will."

Hirshberg believes that by putting games like Call of Duty on the Wii U, they are helping the appeal of the console and thereby helping Nintendo. There are also taking a risk, by acknowledging that the Wii U version likely won't sell nearly as well as it will on other platforms. It's the double-edged sword of a problem we have detailed before, but one very few publishers are willing to bite the bullet and help.

As a result, Nintendo has been the main driving force behind Wii U software sales, and by extension console sales. Games like Pikmin 3 and New Super Mario Bros. U have been the most tantalizing of the Wii U titles released thus far, but they also come directly from Nintendo. Third party support, on the other hand, is mostly relegated to lower-resolution ports that barely take advantage of the Wii U's gamepad controller.

Without third party titles to fill in the occasionally long gaps between Nintendo releases, the Wii U has floundered, plain and simple. But, if more publishers like Activision can bolster support for the Wii U that could change. That isn't to say Call of Duty: Ghosts is the must-have Wii U title of the fall, but the fact that it's on the platform speaks volumes.

Do you think Activision will help the Wii U by putting six of their forthcoming releases on the console? Will other publishers follow Activision's lead?

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Source: CVG