It’s unusual to find a console launch title that scores exceptionally well; usually there are one or two hits and a wealth of middling games, which hardly makes jumping in to a new generation all that exciting. Why is that? Ubisoft has the answer.
"Right now, all publishers are transitioning their development resources," Ubisoft SVP of Sales and Marketing Tony Key told Gi.Biz. "For a game like Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, most of the sales are still going to be on current generation platforms. We can’t make a version for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One that’s so wildly different that we can’t market them together. So, for now, developers and designers are focused on making a game that works really well on all of the systems – but as we transition resources to the next gen, it’s going to be more difficult to do that because the power of these machines is going to allow so much more creativity."
New franchises that launch with systems historically don’t do all that well, which is one of the reasons Ubisoft’s much-anticipated Watch Dogs has been delayed. Ubisoft really knows about these things, because when a new platform launches, they tend to support it really, really, well.
"It’s heartbreaking to be so coveted for launch and not be able to deliver it at launch, but from a business perspective, it’s not a difficult decision to make," says Key. "Watch Dogs is designed to be a long-term brand for Ubisoft. We won’t launch it until we know it’s equaling the vision it can achieve. … We’re playing the long game – and as a company, we know how important it is to get it right."
I think there’s even more to it than that. When a system launches it’s placed under a microscope, and all its games alongside it – and it’s far easier to see the cracks under intense scrutiny.
Last Updated: November 19, 2013
Purple_Dragon
November 19, 2013 at 08:42
Also maybe expectations are too high on new consoles? Maybe people are expected to be blown away immediately forgetting that the best games usually start coming out later once developers understand the new consoles better.
Sean Carbutt
November 19, 2013 at 11:17
New cosnoles aside, the biggest reason is, The developers are now releasing half baked games which they try and fix after release with numerous so called “drc” patches. Take BF 4, Skyrim etc. All broken and only fixed after release date.
Captain GUZ
November 19, 2013 at 08:43
As much as I would have liked to play watchdogs(on my friends next gen console) I would prefer that they wait and make it properly as so many games these days launch and then there is the day one patch plus bugs ect , so ya good call to rather wait
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 08:47
I don’t think these companies found the Knack to releasing good launch titles
Admiral Chief Duke
November 19, 2013 at 09:01
heh, good one
Anon A Mouse
November 19, 2013 at 09:49
I think the Need for Speed rivals the fact that they still have to produce good quality games as well.
Hammersteyn
November 19, 2013 at 08:55
I was kinda hoping for a new Resistance game. That at least got a 86/100 on Meatcritic and was a launch title. Good old Insomniac Games.
HvR
November 19, 2013 at 08:55
I think console manufacturers announcing new consoles and finalizing hardware and system design within 6 months of release is also a factor.
This forces developers to design on previous generation or prototype type consoles and port to the final new generation console a few months before release. Inevitably they are going to run into problems and release a sub par game.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2013 at 09:02
Wow, he’s going to be in trouble for talking sense.
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:05
because they are all focused on graphics and not gameplay. That is why people still long for FF8 from the days when there was not voice acting or Narrative driven around 5 year level design
XCOM EU is for winners. I suppose it is my fault for never owning a PC since Battle Chess on the Apple 3. I missed out on games that make one use their brains. Now I need to hunt down a PC and catch up on some C&Q Generals, Black $ White and Civilization…
P.S. Where is RIIIIIIIDGE Racer?
Purple_Dragon
November 19, 2013 at 09:07
Great point, didn’t think of that. Killzone is a good example, apparently while graphics are top-notch the story is not great.
But I do find it funny reviewers complaining that Killzone is same old but happy to dish out great reviews for COD. Aren’t most shooter’s pretty generic?
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:08
Same here, confused about that, bag on Killzone for feeling the same, yet COD and BF get’s a free pass lol
ToshZA
November 19, 2013 at 12:24
Oh it wasn’t free I’ll bet. Some reviewers got a nice bonus this year.
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:11
It has become so diluted. The success of COD and Social gaming has turned the next gen consoles into interactive phone calls.
Look at Dark Souls, a simple budget with no marketing, an old engine yet it is in all the Top Tens.
We need more of that, not AAA Hollywood linear shooters.
Gavin Mannion
November 19, 2013 at 09:14
Didn’t killzone get the same reviews as COD really? Both were bashed for the same problems
Purple_Dragon
November 19, 2013 at 09:16
I could be wrong but I remember COD getting ratings like 9s while Killzone is getting 7s. I suppose it depends on what reviewers one is looking at.
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:23
I wonder what Garth Holden gave it… 😛
I bet it is more than Dragon Dogma chuckle chuckle…
I know, I am such a troll.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2013 at 09:08
Heh. Battle Chess rules.
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:10
I hated Ridge racer!
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:11
Ridge Racer 4 was brilliant!!..HOW DARE YOU!!!HOOOOOOW DAAAARE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUU! jk lol
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:12
I seriously always wondered why they made Ridge Racer… Was dull, sad excuse for a racing game. Far too Arcadey.
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:12
But but but it was in 1080p 7 years ago lol
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:13
Really, sad excuse for a racing? Forza is a sad excuse for a racing game. Forza hurts my senses
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:17
Forza is too real for you!
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:20
Forza is for sissy boys that can’t play racing games
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:21
really what you play? Let me guess wacky wheels.
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:22
Daytona USA!!!
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:22
Was a good game, in arcades
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:24
Is that the one when they go round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round?
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:25
simple games for simple minds! lol
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:25
nope, you thinking if another game, in Daytona you actually go round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:27
Oh that one
Anon A Mouse
November 19, 2013 at 09:27
You are both wrong. In Daytona you only make left turns.
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:27
lol
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:28
lol! Correct , with a camera watching you make left turns all day
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:29
They do have to make the odd pit stop because you can only go so far on Middle Eastern oil.
Umar Moe Moe
November 19, 2013 at 09:39
The prequel will be Daytona USA: Invasion
Weanerdog
November 19, 2013 at 10:51
That’s my favourite part.
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:27
*sings* You spin me right round!
HvR
November 19, 2013 at 09:41
with the left tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurn
oVg
November 19, 2013 at 09:23
Or drive 😛
RinceandShrubbery
November 19, 2013 at 09:25
it;s nice to see a company stall a game so that it can be all it can be. I am so bloody sick and tired of day one gigabyte patches, server issues (GTAV I am looking at you) and the like. If I spend a crap load on a game I want it to work, YES, on day one. I don’t care if the ‘potential’ to repair a game is there because of the medium it is delivered in. I am a consumer and I AM THE LAW when it comes to spending my money. Well done Ubisoft, good boys. You can stay.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2013 at 09:27
Tell them to get rid of Uplay. I’d also like to play my SP game when their servers aren’t working.
RinceandShrubbery
November 19, 2013 at 09:31
#foreverSP eh?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2013 at 09:34
#foreverSPaslongastheonlineserverswork 😛
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:40
so you never #MP?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2013 at 09:58
Hardly ever. I’ve played Borderlands 2 co-op a little. Other than that the last time I played anything online was TF2 a couple of years ago heh.
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 10:00
Don’t you like the thrill of playing games like BF online?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2013 at 10:04
Online does get the adrenaline flowing I’ll admit. I’ve never played BF though. I don’t really want to play much online, especially team stuff, because it’s competitive. I play to relax, screw around & have fun – I don’t want to worry about kill scores or feeling like I’ve let team mates down because I’m just messing around.
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 10:07
You can just play casual online. Like when you feel like it, don’t know anyone noone gives a shit if you suck or not from messing around. You should try BF man.. you really should.
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:33
GtaV never had anything close to gigabyte patches thankfully..
RinceandShrubbery
November 19, 2013 at 09:35
Just 4 49MB patches, issues with ingame transactions, peoples characters disappearing, they had many issues 🙂
TiMsTeR1033
November 19, 2013 at 09:39
wasn’t it 59mb… They had their fair share of issues I agree.. thankfully ironed out now..
CAE9872
November 19, 2013 at 09:56
TiMs – isn’t that the issue though…as gamers we all look after the event and say “all sorted now” and live happily ever after. But I agree with Rince on this one – it shouldn’t have been like that to start with.
And if we wanted to go astray we could start the whole “let’s take this out of the game and make it DLC”…and I don’t care what developers tell me when they say they didnt have the time to include it! Really? So day one I can go and get all 10m cars/levels/character models, etc etc etc but it just couldnt be ready for day one?
And yes I do understand there is a time delay between game finishing and “going to press”.
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
November 19, 2013 at 12:45
Well games nowadays have millions of extra functions and features. What was Super Mario 3 really? jumping, running and shooting. Extremely basic mechanics versus what we see now.
So if you are releasing a game now there are millions of things that can go wrong. Not even to take into account that every online game has server load issues on launch.
I think there is just way too many variables for them all to be covered AND still beating the deadline. As long as they get fixed later on then I am happy, but I am probably not going to launch day purchase anything easily…