THQ's art tablet uDraw was a big hit on Wii, but once Nintendo unveiled the Wii U controller it started to lose a little of its sheen. The publisher isn't about to let Nintendo run away with the art market though, revealing to Eurogamer its plans to keep the brand going.
THQ's global VP for uDraw Andy Hodgson said:
We have some amazing brands and software built for uDraw. Some of those we'll be able to continue to support on uDraw and in addition add to Wii U that will add extra functionality, tailor-made for Wii U. So it's possible for them to co-exist together.
The company's not about to totally jump ship across to Wii U though, a smart move considering Nintendo's controller arguably fulfils the same purpose as THQ's custom-built drawing pad. When asked if Wii U spells the end for uDraw, Hodgson said:
No, because Wii will remain our focus... We see Wii U as yet another audience we're able to look at. I guess it'll come down to product life-cycles as to how long we support Wii for.
To make this genre really interesting, Nintendo, announce Art Academy Wii U at your earliest convenience.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 15
uDraw will die thanks to the Wii U, for better or for worse, THQ is simply in denial
MARIO PAINT.
That is all.
Ehh... so, i don't really feel like drawin' but it look pretty cool at E3. I hope Nintendo adds other useful and GOOD stuff.
Maybe, perhaps THQ could work with Nintendo to add a compatability mode to allow current and future Wii tablet games to utilize the Wii-U tablet when played with Wii-U; it would add to replay value to the games in the future. In the past, games like Mario Paint SNES and Donkey-Konga GC have been difficult to play: while the games themselves are common, the accesories are harder to find.
@Stardust: How in the world would you play a DK bongo game with a drawing tablet?
I think THQ's optimism is based on the WiiU not even having a release date or a price yet. They could advertise this as an accessory with WiiU "like" playability for all those who aren't buying a WiiU anytime soon. Nobody knows how Nintendo will handle the Wii after the WiiU launches. I was in TRU yesterday and they had 5 or 6 PS2 (two) boxes in the games case. FYI the PS3 just celebrated it's 5th birthday in the US. If Nintendo is still selling Wii's 5 years from now THQ can continue to sell their accessories.
@SpaceKappa: I agree! We need a new version of the fly swatting game.
Wii U's controller is like a cheaper Cintiq, dunno how well the uDraw can co-exist, unless they price it to be MUCH cheaper than the U controller.
On the bright side with the Wii U they're probably be able to sell more software because everyone has a compatible controller.
@scissors exactly what i thought. just because they wont sell any or many tablets for the wii u doesnt mean it wont sell games
@SpaceKappa
Like many of us i think their software will sell better on the WiiU when they support Nintendo's controller. To let this opportunity pass would be a bit stubborn imo.
Meh. The uDraw tablet is just not good.
I second @YashaTheSlayer
i take it now with udraw not selling as well as THQ expected, they're going to pull the plug on this idea
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