Pete Hines skeptical of next-gen systems
Bethesda’s Pete Hines has revealed that the Elder Scrolls publisher is not yet ready to embrace the Wii U, stating that Nintendo’s console does not fit in with its plans. Bethesda will put its games on any system “that will support them,” but the Wii U is not yet one of those systems.
“So far the Wii hasn’t fitted into that,” he told MCV. “Whether Wii U does down the road is TBD.
“For me the problems with new consoles are two-fold. The developers are trying to hit a moving technical target, because the platforms are being built. A new console doesn’t just show up a year before launch and is exactly what it will be when it comes out. It moves and iterates along the way. And introducing something like that to games that are in development is always a bit tricky. And that is obviously an element of risk.
“The second point is that your install base always starts at zero. Then it comes out and suddenly a certain number of people buy it but it won’t be the same number as the current gen. So you have divided your audience. It’s then a case of: Are we just making it for the next gen? Or next gen and current gen? And how many people from the current gen that I’m targeting have moved over to the next gen? It does complicate things a little bit.
“Obviously the changes they are going to make technologically, in terms of the things we will be able to do, are exciting. But it comes at a price.”
Seems that Bethesda’s problems with the Wii U apply to pretty much any new console in general. However, with the Wii U not too far removed from the PS3 and Xbox 360, it seems odd that Hines would be so wary of it. It’s a “next-gen” system, but it’s not exactly the technological step forward folks expect to see with the new Xbox and PlayStation.
Come on, Bethesda. Skyrim on Wii U with a map on the controller screen that you can touch for fast-travel. I just did your job for you. Make it clap.
Bethesda not yet sold on Wii U [Videogamer]
