Rayman Origins was a real cracker of a game, offering lush visuals and engaging action. It was also released across a wide range of formats - something which won't be happening with its sequel, Rayman Legends.
Speaking to Nintendo Power, level designer Chris McEntee explained why this was the case:
The possibility (for a multiplatform release) could be there, but we chose to really focus on Wii U specifically because it has a special toolset, and because everyone that buys it gets what they need to play the game.
Here you buy the Wii U system, you buy the game, and you can experience all of the content without extras. And we didn't want to give somebody half of the experience just for the sake of getting it out on another console.
So there you have it; by building Rayman Legends around the Wii U system Ubisoft has created an entirely fresh experience which can't easily be ported to other systems. It's refreshing to see a developer stick to its guns in such an assured manner, but this could turn out to be a double-edged sword - if games on Wii U require a lot of unique development to ensure the GamePad is used as much as possible, it could result in a lack of third party support - a situation which impacted the Wii before it.
Do you think the Wii U's unique toolset is going to enable it to stand out from the crowd, or could it means less multiformat releases? Sound off in the comments section below.
[source officialnintendomagazine.co.uk, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 27
Ah Damnit!!!
Ubisoft is fast becoming the new Rare. Buy them Nintendo, they are doing amazing stuff for you.
I would like to support them for this, so I will probably buy the game eventually.
Most likely not at launch though because there's so much I want and so little money to spend.
If it's AU$78 I'll be buying this one. I want to support Ubi and ZombiU is not my thing.
I bet this will get a multiplatform release later on anyway. But it's a nice game to push the WiiU sales in the beginning.
I'm not interested in it though. NSMB.U is going to offer me all the multiplayer platforming joy I need.
Rayman Legends will be a WiiU exclusive, but Rayman Legends:The Complete Evolved Directors Cut will be everywhere.
Ubisoft has so many WiiU games coming out at launch maybe they should buy Nintendo.
I understand Ubisoft's logic on the matter, and I can't wait to pick Legends up. If done correctly, the game pad will be a great addition to many games.
Well they could use the pro controller for multi-platform games.
At least until Rayman Legends (Extra) comes out...
Well played, Ubisoft. Well played.
It can easily be ported to PS3, they're just Nintendo's lil suck-up company
Don't see why this would hurt Nintendo. Just port the games without using the pad. Just like 3d you don't have to use it.
No this won't affect how many developers decide to make multi-platform games available on Wii U. Developers can chose to use the game-pad features or not. I'm sure some games will just throw maps on the gamepad screens and nothing else. If third parties don't port their good stuff to Wii U now then they are just lazy!
Haha, take that everyone who says they wont wont get a Wii U even though they really want Rayman but just think waiting longer will bring it to their precious PS3's!
Just what I've said all along with sony and their "You don't need a wii, but both our consoles instead" nonsense. On the wii U, new experiences can be fully integrated because EVERYONE with the console will have these new features.
What would be awesome is if developers like this are well supported to the point that we get more exclusives like this. I won't be getting a Wii U on day one due to financial pressures but once I get it I will be buying this for sure, even as I bought origins for the wii and 3ds, but now even more so if this is a good exclusive.
PS3 and Vita? Xbox Smartglass?(just kidding, Smartglass isn't a legitimate system )
I don't think it will mean less ports for WiiU, only less ports for other consoles. This time around Nintendo has included almost all that is needed to make it easily possible for other multiplats to come to WiiU whereas Wii was significantly underpowered and didn't feature a dual stick controller out of the box. There is a lot more going for WiiU as far as multiplatform gaming goes than the Wii so I think everything will be just fine, in fact I think it will be better than fine since games built for WiiU won't be easily ported so it will end up with more exclusives on top of taking in every multiplatform game. The outlook really is good if you think about it.
i wasnt a big fan of rayman at all until i played origins on te wii. But in regards to the Wii-U's specific mechanics possibly resulting in lack of 3rd Party support, I sincerely doubt that. See, in my point of view, The Wii U is not JUST about the gamepad. It has next generation graphocs, HD, and a pro controller which gives it the ability to downgrade itself as much as it needs to in order to match other consoles. The gamepad isn't a mandatory tool, from what i understand. I personally believe it is a nice addition and would not be at all disenchanted by a game that uses it only to display the game's logo on it as you play. I think if consumers want to play a game that doesnt require it, they can still do so without a pro controller.
@C-Olimar
Those things aren't packed in with every console so they won't be omnipresent with each PS3 or Xbox 360. Just because those consoles CAN do most of what WiiU can do doesn't mean they'll have the same mass market appeal. People don't want to pay $250 on top of their PS3 or $200 ~ $600 on top of their Xbox 360. Granted, some people may already have a Vita or a tablet, but developers can't expect that everyone has one of these devices or is even willing to use them with the console so it becomes a gimmick. WiiU's second screen is integrated, therefore it isn't a gimmick, it's part of the hardware.
It's a start. Rayman Origins was quite the critical hit so maybe it will attract a lot of people who own a different version of the game but no Ninty console.
@Trikeboy lolno. Ubisoft has been doing good for a few things but most of their stuff is "bleh." Would not like Ninty to buy them and associate a lot of their bad games with Nintendo.
The REAL Reason Is Because, Just Like Zombie U, It Wont Sell Nearly As Much On Competing Platforms.
Best thing on Wii U.
The article asked if the Wii U's uniqueness could hurt third-party support, I say no. Think about it. You can do button-using games on Nintendo's latest system, too. However, on other systems, you can't do a ton of the stuff the Wii U can with ease! This makes for plenty exclusives!
Incredible. Its nice to see such dedication from a worthy developer.
Hoping it's better than Origins, lol.
awesome. Just sayin'.
Meh it could go to other systems (probably will I've given up on companies that say "Nintendo exclusive" and have a DX version come to the other systems 6 months later) IDK about Rayman in the least, sorry but the games are just too weird for this Otaku
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