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Ubisoft on Wii U's revolutionary GamePad, Wii to Wii U transition, THQ interest and more
The following comments come from Ubisoft chairman and CEO Yves Guillemot...
On the Wii U GamePad and Wii to Wii U transition...
"I think this audience is actually still playing a few times per week, but they need something new. And the [Wii U] GamePad is interesting; it's interesting because it's a touchscreen that people know how to deal with. This GamePad can be as revolutionary as the Wiimote, just because people are used to dealing with it.
We're just in a transition year where the Wii will be replaced by Wii U. There's an inflection point that will happen this year where Nintendo will sell more and more machines. We know hardcore people buy all the machines, but there will be lots of casual gamers buying the machines as well. I think it will not make all of the gap [from Wii sales], but it will start to narrow it."
On the evolution of Just Dance...
"Last year, we brought out Just Dance exercise. And that was played by 25 percent of people who played the game - they do that during the week, rather than weekends. What we're doing is increasing the number of things you can do with Just Dance. Now, you can use it for fun or you can use it to lose weight."
On THQ...
"What happened to [THQ] is something that happens regularly when we have transition. Some can make it, some decide to go in different direction. It happened with Atari and Midway and also Acclaim last generation. … It's something that happens in this industry and that's the way the industry consolidates. They have good thing. We are always interested in good brands. For sure, it's something we can consider, but I can't tell you more."
Full interview here
On the Wii U GamePad and Wii to Wii U transition...
"I think this audience is actually still playing a few times per week, but they need something new. And the [Wii U] GamePad is interesting; it's interesting because it's a touchscreen that people know how to deal with. This GamePad can be as revolutionary as the Wiimote, just because people are used to dealing with it.
We're just in a transition year where the Wii will be replaced by Wii U. There's an inflection point that will happen this year where Nintendo will sell more and more machines. We know hardcore people buy all the machines, but there will be lots of casual gamers buying the machines as well. I think it will not make all of the gap [from Wii sales], but it will start to narrow it."
On the evolution of Just Dance...
"Last year, we brought out Just Dance exercise. And that was played by 25 percent of people who played the game - they do that during the week, rather than weekends. What we're doing is increasing the number of things you can do with Just Dance. Now, you can use it for fun or you can use it to lose weight."
On THQ...
"What happened to [THQ] is something that happens regularly when we have transition. Some can make it, some decide to go in different direction. It happened with Atari and Midway and also Acclaim last generation. … It's something that happens in this industry and that's the way the industry consolidates. They have good thing. We are always interested in good brands. For sure, it's something we can consider, but I can't tell you more."