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Ubisoft Hesitant To Comment on Software Sales For Next Gen Because Of Wii U Experience
During the first quarter 2014 earnings call, Ubisoft was asked about software attach rates for the next generation of consoles. The answer about PlayStation 4 and Xbox One was based on learning a tough lesson.
"We gave you a comment on Wii U last year and got it wrong," an Ubisoft representative admitted. Ubisoft has been vocal about its call for Nintendo to lower console prices and prime purchases with more titles.
A casualty of the Wii U's flagging performance was the timed exclusivity of Rayman Legends. It will now be a simultaneous multiplatform release arriving on September 3, 2013.
Our Take
Ubisoft went all-in on the Wii U and suffered for it. ZombiU, which received a range of critical response (including some very good reviews), sold poorly. It didn't break even and a sequel won't be coming. The tragedy is that ZombiU makes extremely smart use of the Wii U gamepad that should have been a guiding light for other developers.
Ubisoft's outspoken nature about the Wii U is worth noticing, because it is only a casual hint about conversations that are no doubt happening behind closed doors between the publisher and Nintendo.
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