Wii U Version Of Project CARS Drops To The Back Of The Starting Grid

Nooooooo

Disappointing, but not really a surprise anymore.

If they need to shift resource off any version, the Wii U is the obvious candidate. Releasing later means avoiding Smash Bros, and hopefully the Wii U install base will look a lot healthier after Christmas. There's no real downside for them either. If they delayed the other versions they'd get beaten to market by Forza and Drive Club, but there's no competition to lose out to on Wii U.

Hopefully it's not too far behind the other versions.

On their website they have a pole of which version are you going to buy and the WII U version is beating everything else.

Ouch. This is a blow to current Wii U owners who have been looking forward to its release. This type of racing game just isn't for me though.

This could get pushed back to 2020 and I'd still be hype. But this is terrible news for me, as I was planning on blanking out the holiday season with this.

Sad news, but if the final product ends up being more polished, I am all for it.

Of course it is, quelle surprise

@simonsskidor Ditto

Such a kick in the nuts. Why?

I'm amazed they actually didn't cancel the Wii U version alongside the PS3 & Xbox 360 ports as they are all considered last gen, even though the Wii U is actually next gen.

@TICGS I cant imagine anyone with an X1 getting this over Horizon 2 or anyone with a PS4 getting this over Drive club or The Crew.

Still its worth noting that this is being distributed by Bamco who are also working on Wii U Smash. Maybe they already know the actual release date and are worried about losing sales?

common we all knew this would happen

No Wii U footage or screens has had me thinking it would be delayed for quite awhile now shame.

@Damo O'm quite sure that the word you were looking for to describe the NWU Watch_Dogs launch was *in*famous

#13
6ch6ris6 said:
common we all knew this would happen

agree 100% I still doubt it will ever be released on the wii u.

Still the non AAA suport is exellent more people play non tripple A titles than anything else.

Even this years annual COD seems not to be creating the usual hype

Now just watch them complain about this game not selling on the Wii U. Of COURSE it won't because everyone will have it on other systems already. Ugh...

@Yosher I'm sensing a trend here

It is possible we will see no Watch Dogs or Project Cars on Wii U, there was no gameplay footage shown so far on this platform, no proof of it's existence, all videos presented were made on PC, strange when you consider Project Cars was crowd-funded, people raised 3.750.000 € to start this project! Hope dies last... Looks like all third party support for Wii U is gone.

And there we go, 90% of the hype for the Wii U version is now gone. Sales will be 50-60% (or more) less than what they would be and by this time next year, they'll be say how disappoint they are with the Wii U sales and that they will be removed most of their support. But then again, it makes sense, what would a Wii U game be without a delay?

Bad news for Wii U gamers - and probably for sales figures of the Wii U version.

Will there be an additional marketing push when the Wii U release comes out? Will people still care about the game? When games get released on other platforms first, the answer is usually "not really".

I am not surprised at this point. At this stage I would be more surprised when wii u games are release at the same time as the other systems.

Well this was a bad way to start my morning.

Although disappointing, this does make some sense commercially.

There are some great games coming out this autumn & winter, Hyrule, B2, CaptainToad, Smash, and if anyone's still interested, Watch Dogs. So it may have got lost being released in the middle of these. Also, delaying it until early 2015 would give us something to look forward to once the we've finished playing some of these games at Christmas.

I just hope people don't get to miffed and don't buy it out of spite.

I'm curious to where people think the sales will be lost? If people are going to buy it on a PS4 or Xbone, then surely they were already going to do that? I can't see many people that own multiple consoles would have picked the Wii U version. The majority of people that would have bought the Wii U version, won't own a PS4 or Xbone, so they'll not be able to buy it on anything else.

In best Darth voice Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Highly disappointed!

Now I'm wondering if Bandai/Namco or Namco/Bandai (whatevers) had anything to do with this.

I can't hear the engines over the sound of bayonetta, hyrule warriors, captain toad and smash bros, to be honest.

cancelling my pre-order. Instead of that, there are other cool games which will be released. Sorry Bamco.

Eh. At least this delay was announced months in advance, unlike a certain other company's delays.

LOL in a disappointing way

U too, slightly Brutus?

Seriously?!?! I thought we were done w/ this #$@/#$

And at this point this is all just BS, the old arguements no longer hold. Sure PS4 amd X1 got off to great starts, and the PS4 is still going pretty strong, but its been behind the Wii U the past 4 weeks in Japan. And whens the last time we've seen an actual X1 number? For all we know its behind Wii U at this point. They didnt drop Kinect b/c of how well it was selling.

And w/ all due respect to @Peach64 I think they're backwards this time. Everybody w/ a PS4 is really looking forward to DriveClub - it was supposed to be free at launch w/ PS+, and X1 is Halo and Forza, nobody cares about Project cars on either of those systems, Wii U is where it could have sold best, now it won't. Well it still might b/c nobody cares on those other systems about it, but the delay wont help when poor sales on those other systems cause them to cut the price in half before it lsunches at full price on Wii U.

Im very dispointed as this game is a day one buy for me, but...on the other hand, putting my optmistic cap on:

Two games that showed some promise when it comes to gamepad usage is this game and Watchdogs. In project cars because of the steering wheel and all its buttond that could be mimicked on the gamepad touch screen. In the case of watchdogs, is of course the hacking and all the things that that smartphone can do....so, what if the wii u version of these games was actually delayed as a strategy to try to make some people buy these games twice, as these gamepad functions might be very appealing?

I didn't like this news, but I was expecting them because of the lack of screenshots. I will still buy this game on WiiU when it comes out because I want to see how they implement the Gamepad and I don't want a PS4 because the games don't look that appealing. So I'll just wait and see how this shapes up ^^

That really sucks. This was going to be a day one buy for me on the WiiU, as I wanted a realistic-type racing game for this console. I don't know if I'll buy it on another platform just yet... depends all on what I have to play at that time.

Just a standard Wii U trend unfortunately...

In this case, I am not bothered. I am more concerned that there has been no Wii U footage released yet.

Bashes head against desk
Seriously? I'm sure everyone is blaming Namco for this, but either way... you have GOT to be kidding me. Are we ever going to get a decent multiplatform release alongside other versions?

Haha, funny to see that poll on their website. Wii U and Windows versions are the most voted ones.

Count me significantly less excited about this game, then. This sort of thing really pisses me off, especially after such a strong anticipation for the Wii U version on their own website.

Probably still gonna get it, but the excitement is just not gonna be the same after months of people playing this on other platforms.

More than Slightly Mad at them, right now... oooh I see, it was their plan from the beginning.

@Peach64
Well, this is what I feared .. if they only bring the game from other consoles, the game would not be good. I am very happy with the delay .. it shows that they are working on a version for the Wii U. Games that are brought to the console do not get the same performance, programming is different .. But it seems that we'll have a work of art.

With the just recent publishing deal by Bandai Namco does it mean it's a publisher decision or the dev's?

This sounds like a case of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The WiiU got the definitive version, albeit later. However, I have more trust that Bandi-Namco will put more marketing into Project Cars than EA did into NFS:MW (which it essentially let "die on the vine").

I think we are seeing a point where the gaming architecture and limitations of companies are causing a divide. The PS4/XB1/PC version(s) are similar enough to be done along side one another. The WiiU has different (lesser) graphics and a second screen. From a business standpoint, if you are trying to do a top-notch job, this makes sense. As for the price reductions on other systems, it is something we have to live with. Basically, I don't game on the other ones so it has limited impact on me.

@Peach64

Steam / PC, Also the fact that the hype would be gone and people will be less likely to just go out and buy. Look what happened to Rayman Legends.

2015 is going to be a crazy year for the Wii U

Gone from day 1 purchase to preowned purchase @ £20 a few months after release...when will companies learn >_>

Wow this is just an insult. A decent amazing looking racer for the Wii U is now basically canceled! Sucks!

Holy crap. This again? I hope they won't say they will not support the console more because of the poor sales that Project Cars is going to get.

pfffff.... this sucks....

ok the busy WiiU Autumn, ok everything, but holy f**k. I hate this trend, I hope at least we will get the definitive version and not a castrated one.... I will still get it day one, but I am very piss, because, with bayonetta, it was the title I was waiting so long....

Will people calm down yes the delay stinks but that shouldn't be a reason to not buy the game. It might have trouble on the other systems competing with the like of Forza and Driveclub. Plus we don't how long into 2015 exactly either

Come on people, let's absolutely load the Miiverse with interest for this game and complaints about the delay. Every Namco page needs people begging to make sure it doesn't get cancelled. There's no competition for this game on Wii U except for an unrealistic NFS game whereas the other consoles and PC have loads of driving sims available or planned.

I have to admit that it does do me a favour financially because the Wii U autumn line-up is already out of my budget.

"Very very bad news you delayed the WiiU version.... we were a lot of enthusiast WiiU owners waiting for a great racsim on our console, and now you betray us like that.... check the poll, you are going to delay the version with more buying intents..... thank you very much... "

That's what I wrote on the poll site:

http://www.projectcarsgame.com/home/which-platform-are-you-getting-project-cars-on

cmon guys, let them hear our disappointment.... I hope at least we will get some extra feature or discount price for having let us down!

@Nintenjoe64 I am with you, but do they have a Miiverse Channel?

.....
goes back to playing Mario Kart 8

Very disappointing news, was looking forward to this. Now I'm worried it might not get released at all.

@Damo Any chance you can contact Bandai Namco or Slightly Mad for a reason for this delay?

@arnoldlayne83 not sure but Tekken and Pacman belong to Namco and they might even have people watching the Smash Bros and Wii Tennis channels since they were involved.....

@vamkar The only thing that stops me believing this isn't some kind of Sony/MS led conspiracy is the terrible sales of nearly every major 3rd party game on Wii U and perhaps the fact that they actually couldn't finish the downscaled port in time would have made them miss a lucrative holiday release.

@rjejr it still could sell best on Wii U,.just like Rayman.
Watch Dogs will barely sell at all, because we all know that the reality was way short of the hype.

@Nintenjoe64 Yep but doesn't sound legitimate to me, considering that the initial development was on Xbox360, Ps3 and WiiU... they then drop the last gen ones to move to PS4 XB1.... so, the WiiU version should be under development for almost 3 years now...

One reason could be your cospiracy theory (I start to believe...) plus the fact the WiiU owners seems to consider mainly everything with mario or link in it (see the hype for Hyrule warriors... a spin-off of dinasty warrior game semi-unknown in the west, now became the most hyped game ever).
Other reason could be the bunch of WiiU titles for this fall-winter.... they would like to hit a more empty window, which I hope will be January...

PS: Maybe they should announce a Mario or DK Livery for your car... or the possibility to have Princess Zelda as umbrella-girl.... then people will buy the game wholesale...

Wanted this to go along with Drive Club and the Crew. Sim, semi-sim and arcade. Rats!

Was going to get the PC version anyway.

Still sucks for everyone else though.

@Captain-Falcon I am very tempted to do the same, but I'll try to resist and wait for the WiiU.... the console needs desperately some 3rd party's hits, to attract more developer to the platform...

Doesn't matter to me, at least we'll if the game will be crap or not from the other versions. Hopefully there are some exclusive features given for the delay though.

I guess having a PS4 in addition to my Wii U makes me not really care, but I doubt I'll get it until after a whole lot of review and videos of gameplay are out anyway. The extremely generic title and delays make me worried about the quality of time. This just gives me more time with MK8 anyway, which I seriously doubt Project Cars is going to replace in my house for quite done time.

I'm not really interested in realistic racing games, so I'll pass.

@arnoldlayne83 If they stuck a few of Mario's karts into Project CARS it wouldn't do any harm to sales.

I'm attempting to organise the Miiverse a bit and hopefully it will catch on.

https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/wii-u/worthwhile_miiverse_campaigns

This was inevitable. Besides the obvious fact that nobody wants to develop for the Wii U, this is what I like to see.

@MadAdam81 (@rjejr)

To be fair though, all the versions of Rayman released at the same time. Everyone had an equal shot. Having a delay like this will only hurt the Wii U's chances.

@rjejr

A few months ago I remember Microsoft saying they shipped 5 million units, but that doesn't tell us how many were sold. They've been pretty quiet on the matter since then so you know the numbers aren't overly impressive. At the moment, the only foothold it has is in the U.S. PS4 is crushing them in Europe, and I don't even know why they'll bother releasing in Japan at the end of the year. Especially since both the Wii U and PS4 are struggling there.

You could've delayed the other versions as well to the same release date because this NEVER ends well for the after-party console at large unless handled well.

@Captaintoad good point.

January or else...

@MoonKnight7 The Xbone cannot be doing that badly in the UK. The big multiplatform games are generally next to each other (PS4 on top yes but still).

Again!, now I love Nintendo but something is going on there every game by a third party is either geting delayed or out right cancelled

it can't be about power or sales because the Wii U is outselling the XB1 yet it is getting plenty of support so the problem has to be with Nintendo itself, WHAT THE H*** IS GOING ON?

It's not going to get cancelled. They're just doing the same thing that Ubisoft did to Watch Dogs. A delay does not mean cancelled. It does suck, though...

I just went from HYPEEEE down to a middle finger. My desire to buy this game is now gone and I'm sticking to GT6. Too bad, because I was really hyped for this game. Delaying the game is fine, but delaying JUST the Wii U version and not even giving us a proper date? This is just horse manure. Slightly Mad, you just lost a customer.

What the hell Namco? The Wii U version should be a priority since Nintendo is letting you work on Smash Bros. Nintendo might need to rethink the relationship they have with them if its going to be all one sided. First it was Pac Man Championship being cancelled on Wii U and now this is getting delayed. And you know what I'm mad at Slightly Mad Studios as well. Nintendo fans are what helped this game get off the ground and now we get the cold shouler? I still play the beta on my pc but now I wont because I'm honestly thinking about boycotting the game. And don't give me the dumbdonkey excuse that smash bros. is coming out in the same month.

Well, this delay does sound like bad news overall for the Wii U version, but i'm fine with a delay. Holiday season will be packed for Wii U, releasing at the same time could get the game lost in the shuffle. I am definitely more interested in the game since it is a realistic racer, versus Mario Kart's zaniness, but it's up to how the Wii U version will be treated.

@TICGS link?

@capitalism I think Smash is the reason they are waiting to release it. However, they should release all of the versions at the same time. Instead they push the Wii U version back and release all of the other ones first, and as a result they kill their own Wii U version sales numbers. Just give us the game when everyone else gets it.

@rbmoura85 where did you buy your optimistic cap? Or could I just borrow yours?
I'm not into the game, but more bad Wii u press is never a good thing.

Time to flood their page with poll results showing demand for the WiiU version
http://www.projectcarsgame.com/home/category/poll

@OneBagTravel That's what everyone said about 2014

Mostly a disappointment because the Wii U version was in development long before we learned about the PS4 AND XBone versions.
Guess this is what happens when you have a weaker system with CPU that's completely different from everyone else. Devs gotta take a hella lot longer coding and optimizing.

I don't have a problem with this tbh. Know there's a chance I'll actually get it instead of competing with Smash.

It also helps that I'm pretty sure only Wii U and PC owners care that this game exists.

What piss me the most is that the developer, after liking our butt about how fancy WiiU version will be, that the gamepad is definitely full of potential, blablabla, they just come out with this decision, not even considering the results of their poll, without no words, no excuses, no offers like free DLCs or discounts or free beta versions... nothing.... I feel just threated like secondary citizen...

@bofis cheers for the link, done my bit

Wasn't this game crowd-funded?

Come on really? I was looking forward to this now i don't even know. Namco why did you talk with ubisoft about delaying games that people want.

That explains the lack of screenshots

@unrandomsam

That's why I said Europe not the U.K.

Going way out on a limb and predicting, now, that this never sees the light of day on U, alas.

@Hernandez There is no way it is fair for it to be full price if any of the others have had a price drop in the meantime.

Just great.

Another game that will get poor sales on the Wii U because everyone has already bought it on another console or for PC by the time it eventually hits the shelves.

@FragRed Give another couple of months!

Say goodbye to mine and many other day one purchases. The Wii U could use a driving sim and I was excited about this game, but being treated like second class means I will only get this game if it even gets enough distribution to make it to the bargain bin like all the other 5-10$ 3rd party games.

NO?!!...... ??? NOOO OH MY GOODNESS. I DONT BELIEVE IT. IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE WII U VERSION SINCE I SAW IT IN IN A SIZZLE REEL IN THE NINTENDO DIRECT FROM FEB 2013!

What a bummer. Man oh man I just dont believe this. I hope Its not shelved and really does come. I think watch dogsis canceled. I havent seen any footage. Wow so sad. Ive been hyping this game up anf telling everyone about it. Its my most anticipated game this year simply because its new and beautful its coming to wii u and its been in dev for so long. UghI

Just last week, I got several posts putting me down when I made comment about this game and the fact that no official game footage has been released and that the WiiU footage on YouTube was simulated WiiU PC footage. Well I hate to say it but "I Told You So".

However Game.co.uk still have my pre-order as November 2014 and checking the official website I couldn't find any reference to the game release being put back on WiiU, however to be fair other than the WiiU logo at the bottom of the page and the reference that the game is coming to WiiU, there is absolutely no information about this game for the WiiU. Give a couple of months and it will be cancelled, Shame as it was a pre-order must buy for me.

So, because they can't make it to market before the end of August (with no games scheduled) and who wants to compete with Skylanders, Disney Infinity, Amiibo, Hyrule Warriors, Toad's first starring role, Smash Bros, Lego Batman in space and Bayonetta 2? Delaying the game until, say, February is smart. That way people will have money to buy it.
Heck, when you think about all the great idie games still to come this year on Wii U, waiting for the holiday season to bolster their audience is smart.

@bmprsvz777 when you said "racsim" I read racism! Lol

@MoonKnight7
As if UK is not part of Europe

At least we've got MK8 to carry on with

lol u guys

@t377y000 wow youre absolutely right. The wii was in development way before ps4 or xbox one. Wtf?! So disappointing

@NodesforNoids nintendo has never had too many games to buy all at once. Project cars has no competition there are no racing sim on wii u. Those games listed wont come out one after another. Nintendo sprinkles games every couple months apart. Look at 2012_2013

I like when we're getting an exclusive, and then it becomes a multiplat, we have to wait for the other consoles before we get our version, but when the Wii U version of a game is taking a while to develop, they delay it only and release the other versions way earlier.

And I know Namco =/= Ubisoft but Ubisoft actually has done both these things. Shame on them.

Oh why does this not surprise me? I really wish these idiot devs would just say that the wii u version is cancelled. Im sorry I will not except these excuses of "oh we didnt realise development would take so long for all platforms". These devs and publishers are paid ridculous sums of money to plan for things like this. Unaceptable

@DarkAngel_17

You're taking this out of context so I'm guessing you didn't look at my original comment. I said "Europe", which includes the U.K. of course. Collectively in Europe, Xbone hasn't sold nearly as many as PS4. @unrandomsam was just pointing out that there has been a modest Xbone success within the U.K.

@ULTRA-64

You just order yours from Cottoncandy Land on the other side of the moon

I don't even know why this annoys me as I have no plans to get it (not a big racing game fan); but man does it annoy me, lol

I have more than enough games to play on my Wii U, and I'm sure most of you do, as well. This isn't great news, but it isn't the end of the world like some people are pretending.

@Spoony_Tech

That's actually what I was wondering too. Bandai Namco picks up publishing duties for physical releases, and all of a sudden Wii U version gets delayed. Coincidence? Maybe... or, maybe not.

I was planning on buying this game day one, but, I was never too excited for it. Racing SIMs aren't my thing really. I just wanted to show my support and give the genre another try. So it's whatever.

3 certainties in life:
-Taxes
-Death
-Major 3rd party multi-plat games getting delayed and/or outright cancelled on Nintendo systems

@Hernandez Wrong example, TLOU is a Sony exclusive. And (I think) with the exception of CoD every other game you mentioned was a multiplat that came out many months before the U port, with little to no publicity and obviously very little hype. Exactly what probably will happen here, and don't worry they will blame Nintendo's fanbase, of course, they always do.
It might surprise us, though, and do well like Rayman did.Who knows...

I suspect there might be some Mario kart 8 dlc around original release date of project. Cars

I thought Project CARS was going to be different.
It was built on the money from the gaming community .... generally known as a "crowd-funding project". A large portion of this funding came from Wii U funders .... it is why Project CARS was first developed on the Wii U and PC. (+3 Million Pounds was raised).
So today, they delay the Wii U edition? Did the funders (aka. members) have a say in this? I can't believe the members who funded the Wii U edition are happy right now? I am pretty sure they are very angry? With this delay and nothing being said by Slightly Mad (in a statement or screenshots of the Wii U edition) .... one might start to think that it was all a scam. I hope the biggest funders for the Wii U edition speak up soon.

What if the developers are trying to make the Wii U version the best version which is taking more time to make? I've also heard from some where that it is pretty hard to make games for WII U. I think it was an article?

#98: Hernandez:

EA "marketed" NFS Most Wanted as a quick and dirty port to Wii U.
EA "forgot" to tell people how much effort Criterion did with the game.
Not even the Wii U cover on NFS MW shows that the game is upgraded.

Blame EA for NFS to sell bad, because they didn't even tell the media that the game was superior to other versions. Months after they vaguely did, but it was way too late anyway.

Project Cars would sell much better, because it was very hyped on Wii U unlike NFS. Also because SMG bragged so much about Wii U version.

BTW: I already cancelled my pre-orders for both Wii U and Steam versions.
I refuse to support a poopoodoodoocacapoopledoopledoggiedoople company. Secondly, i refuse to buy a game on Wii U in 2015 at full price, when its old on PC, PS4 and Xbone.

Another 3rd party game late to the Wii U party. This is normal now and to be expected.

Not cool, Bamco

I just hope they let SMS add extra content to make up for the delay.

@Hernandez I bought Batman AC, Darksiders2, NFSMW and AC3 & 4, enjoyed them all. Still no reason to complain about games not selling on a platform if you delay them on that platform.

This has got to be the worst Nintendo console ever in relation to third parties.

Wii U is Treated like a child. Multi platform games are either delayed or gimped.

@FilmerNgameR heard all that before though. It's delayed because the Wii U version is seen least important and they couldn't care less if it is delayed.

Yep, another game I was excited for but am now not supporting because of this BS that keeps happening. These guys were bragging about how much they loved the Wii U and how good it the Wii U version was going to be. And now it's the least important and delayed. Stupid move. Lost my support. The Wii U version comes out at the same time with the same features, or you lose sales. When will publishers and developers realise this?

The good news is that the Wii U version isn't the only pushed back. The Steam version is too, so it's not like the Wii U is being singled out.