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Acclaim - GameCube Not Worth Publishing For?

Posted by simoniker on from the maybe-no-great-loss? dept.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a GamePro report claiming that Acclaim Entertainment is dropping support for the Gamecube. The article quotes UK trade magazine MCV's interview with new Acclaim CEO Rod Cousens, who says "Why should we develop for platforms that don't deliver profits for us? We will still support the PS2 and Xbox, but Nintendo? No, not in the foreseeable future." Reportedly, this won't be true for the handful of in-development GameCube conversions at the troubled publisher, but these harsh words seem to imply that further Burnout sequels, amongst others, will not be coming to GameCube. Update: 06/23 22:08 GMT by S : Planet GameCube got an official comment from the publisher which says "Acclaim will now evaluate each title and decide which system(s) it best fits", but it's clear the CEO is still very down on GameCube.

26 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. The trouble with the cube by lightspawn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The gamecube's curse is the quality of Nintendo's first-party games.

    With the PS2 and that other console, one company makes the hardware and maybe a handful of game titles, and the rest of the sales are divided between all other publishers.

    With Nintendo, the quality and brand recognition of the flagship titles (Metroid, Zelda, Mario, etc) are so irresistable many first-party games are considered must-have purchases, leaving cube owners little time and money for third-party titles.

    Quality kills.

    1. Re:The trouble with the cube by leifm · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Or maybe there are a lot of people in my situation. I bought a Gamecube for the first party titles, and also have a PS2 as well. For a lot of games (Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy things) I feel the PS2 controller is better because it has more buttons. So I buy that kind of stuff for the PS2, and the Gamecube just gets used for first party Nintendo stuff.

      --

      "Windows Me offers tremendous reliability and stability improvements..." -- Paul Thurott
    2. Re:The trouble with the cube by imitier · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Exactly. Even if I wanted to play certain cross-platform games on the Gamecube, the controller is just so poorly suited to most sports games and FPSs (for example) that I invariably get them for another console. Even the exceptional appeal of the Wavebird isn't enough to overcome the lack of a usable D-pad and a real second analog stick, and the uncomfortable placement of the Z-button. 1st party titles work pretty well, but 3d party cross-platform games invariably control better on PS2 or XBox.

    3. Re:The trouble with the cube by jpkazarian · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Most of the crap produced by Acclaim is just fuel for the teenage dorks that make up most of the the XBox buyers anyway ...

      Acclaim is not known for games targeted at youngsters, which is the Cube's market. Same for the other third party developers: no drive to market quality E rated games. Which means Nintendo has been given a monopoly by default.

      PS Referencing a previous /. post, wasn't Acclaim listed for breaking contracts in the 25 dumbest moments in gaming? Point is the company DOES have a history of substituting marketing for quality, so perhaps their pulling out doesn't mean much other then such an approach does not work in Cubeland.

    4. Re:The trouble with the cube by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Elaborating on this:

      There's an interesting article posted today over on N-Sider called "Nintendo's Missing Mojo" that discusses Nintendo's relationship with 3rd Party developers, including Acclaim. The article basically says that in order to capture a larger market share, the big N needs to stop viewing 3rd party developers as competitors and needs to view them as partners.

    5. Re:The trouble with the cube by Sentry21 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      DISCLAIMER: The opinions mentioned in this post are my own, and have nothing to do with the opinions of EB Games. Likewise, EB Games has nothing to do with my own opinions, and this post doesn't have much to do with anything.

      With Nintendo, the quality and brand recognition of the flagship titles (Metroid, Zelda, Mario, etc) are so irresistable many first-party games are considered must-have purchases, leaving cube owners little time and money for third-party titles.

      I don't think that's the problem. The problem is that after you have all the must-have purchases (Mario games, Zelda, Metroid - Eternal Darkness is Nintendo, isn't it?), the rest of the games are mediocre at best.

      I recently acquired a SNES. I have a few RPGs in a box in my parents' house from ages ago (now that they've moved, I'll never find them), and I have Zelda right here. I'm also going to do my best to dig up the other games. Why? The graphics, by today's 'standards', suck. The audio isn't digitally sampled accoustically balanced CD-quality Dolby 5.1. But you know what? They were fun. They were challenging. They were inventive. There was a lot of crap, but there were a lot of games that were worth playing too. Actraiser was neat. Raiden Trad. Mario games. Lots of fun multiplayer games, and lots of fun single-player games.

      What does the Gamecube have? Not much. It has all the first-party titles, and believe me, they rock. But after that? Nothing. Well, not really. Nothing worth buying unless you can take it back to EB within two weeks for something else.

      Here's a tip for all you gamers, too. If there's a game you really want, go to EB and buy a game that you may or may not want. Try it out. If you like it enough to keep it, keep it. If not, take it back within two weeks, and get the full trade-in value, and put it towards the game that you know you want. You get to try a game out, and the only downside is that you can't bring back the game you know you really wanted as a trade in if you don't like it, which you know you will.

      Anyway, having worked at EB, there is one thing I know for sure: there are a lot of really good games. The only problem is, there are some for the GC, some for XB, some for PS2, and some for GBA. THIS is the problem with the gaming industry.

      But Dan, you're so wise and sexy and virile and you're always right, but I don't understand how competition is a bad thing.

      Exclusivity.

      Let's pretend I'm the age I act, and I'm looking forward to my 14th birthday. My parents are suburbanites, and want to get me a game console so I can play games. The available consoles (last I checked) were $300, $300, and $230, or so. This quite clearly says that I can only get one. Couple this with exclusive titles. Exclusive titles are, when good (like Splinter Cell, or Final Fantasy) what drive console sales. They are the killer apps of gaming. I know for a fact that I will get a PS2, because I know that FFX and FFX2 are only on PS2. It's simple. So I have to decide, do I want FFX and X2, and see Yuna in those too-short-to-be-shorts shorts, or do I want to go unnoticed into the darkness and kill those who would attack our (your) fair country?

      Well, I'll get a paper route, and I'll buy both. Ok, so now I have a PS2, which I bought, and an XBox, which my parents bought. I also got XBox Live, the PS2 broadband adapter, and keyboards, and mice, and dongles and switches, and everything.

      I've spent a thosuand dollars on gaming. Why on earth would I spend another five hundred? It doesn't make sense. The exclusive Nintendo-only games aren't as 'cool' as Splinter Cell, or as huge as Final Fantasy (supposedly). So they're not as big of a draw. They're kid games. Games that three-year-olds play while their parents try to keep them from drooling on the controller.

      Nevermind that even the most cynical of 18-to-25 geeks that I know seem to generally love these games (then again, even the most cynical of 18-to-25 geeks that I know are closet Mac fans to

    6. Re:The trouble with the cube by Sparkinator · · Score: 2, Informative

      Psst, you can use your PS2 controller with the Gamecube with a simple converter cable, which can be found at various stores like CompUSA etc...

  2. Not to complain.... by brkello · · Score: 3, Informative

    But you could have just stated the whole article by adding, "Acclaim noted that Cousens comments were taken out of context. Cousens was just explaining how Acclaim is re-evaulating what consoles to release their games on." So in other words, this is a bit of a non-issue. If they can profit on the gamecube, they will, if they can't, then it won't be supported.

    --
    Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
  3. Re:Prediction by lightspawn · · Score: 3, Insightful

    what about Gameboy Advance? Will Acclaim be making games for that still?

    Yes.

    The Sony handhald gaming unit it still far off, and its doubtful it will be able to dethrone the GBA. Stopping GBA development right now is effectively stopping handheld game development. Why leave a market where development time and budget are much smaller and the payout almost the same?

  4. Good riddance ... by SuperRob · · Score: 4, Interesting

    At first blush, it's easy to take all these "doom and gloom" reports as the inevitable sinking of the GameCube. But look at who has been dropping their support ... companies like Midway and Acclaim, who are used to being able to shovel crap onto any system and get it to sell through slick marketing.

    We're in a recession. Gamers are educating themselves more, and are spending their dollars on games that will give them the most bang for the buck. For the GameCube market, that means that most are saving their hard earned cash on first-party games.

    So what does the loss of Acclaim mean in the long run? Jack shit, honestly. Less games that weren't selling anyway, so what? The GameCube won't be dead until Nintendo stops supporting it, and Nintendo supports their machines better than anyone.

    1. Re:Good riddance ... by lightspawn · · Score: 3, Insightful

      We're in a recession. Gamers are educating themselves more, and are spending their dollars on games that will give them the most bang for the buck.

      We wish.

      How many games are purchased after reading reviews? 5%? 10%? How many are purchased on a whim, or by parents who figure if the kids like superman they gotta like the game, or just because it's got a 2-player mode and you kids can play together and quit kicking your brother and leave me the hell alone I'm trying to drink?

  5. Re:Prediction by Hedonist123 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Something tells me that Nintendo may have something to say about Acclaim still developing for the GBA if they cease all gamecube development. Acclaim has to be licensed, and Nintendo may just be a little bitter. But then again, rtfa, since Acclaim doesn't even say they will stop all future gamecube development, just that they will go on a game by game basis. As a gamecube owner, I couldn't care less, I don't think I own a single Acclaim game, nor did I see any in development that I had any interest in whatsoever.

    --
    http://goldysmom.blogspot.com
  6. Quality of Games by Gr33nNight · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hey Acclaim, stop making shitty games and maybe I will buy one that you create.

    --GameCube owner

  7. Acclaim games... by bmorton · · Score: 4, Funny

    When I sit back and think about all the Acclaim games that I've ever enjoyed... ...nevermind. I can't think of any. Maybe I've forgotten a good one, but I can't see this is so much of a loss.

    My only disappointment is the unlikeliness of a Mary Kate and Ashley Gamecube game. :(

    1. Re:Acclaim games... by Rellik66 · · Score: 2, Funny

      No wait! Pitfall was made by Activision.

      Ok, there were no games made by Acclaim that I liked

      --

      Too many zeros, not enough ones

  8. So let's see by Schnapple · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The same place that gave use Turok sequel after Turok sequel, the crap that was BMX XXX and apparently isn't above suggesting that tombstones are fodder for advertising and that speeding tickets are fine so long as they're on the way to buy Burnout 2 is maybe leaving the GameCube. Big whoop. Nintendo's better off without their about-to-go-out-of-business ass.

    On a more important note, anyone notice how it's always places like 3DO that make statements like this? Everyone focuses on one message "see! the GameCube sucks!" instead of the real message "we're reducing our platforms by one to see if we can stay in business".

    --

    Schnapple

  9. Not the end... at all... by Iscariot_ · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Don't think that this spells the end, or the begining of the end, for the GameCube. The GameCube is kinda like a Mac in my opinion. It has a very defined nitche, but it is still very profitable. Many people are addicted to it. Just like you can only run OSX on a Mac (at a resonable speed), you can only play Nintendo's games on GCN.

    I will always buy Nintendo systems as long as the big N is creating super-high quality games for their systems. I own all three systems, and somehow I end up playing GameCube the most. I guess I'm still addicted to the ZMM (Zelda, Mario, Metroid, etc.) universes.

    I'm anxious to see how Nintendo changes their direction with their next-gen console to solve some of these problems. These are tough times, and three consoles creates a saturated market.

    --

    Go here for teh [sic] funny.
    1. Re:Not the end... at all... by August_zero · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The GameCube is kinda like a Mac in my opinion.

      Good example, I have thought the same thing myself for some time now. You don't need to be #1, you just need to be strong enough to make a profit, keep your share holders happy, and continue to innovate circles around the work of most other developers.

      If MS would get of their lazy bums and get some better games out for Live I might be more endeared to the console, but as it is, I only own a few games for it and only a couple that I actually still play
      I own all 3 myself, and I think that the Cube has my favoritest games (Metroid, Zelda, Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online, Mario) and has some strong titles on the way as well (mario Kart anybody?) FOr me the x-box is the weak link, It's just like the PS2 IMHO but it doesn't have some of the support of the better 3rd party developers. PS2 at least has Metal Gear, Ratchet and Clank, Dynasty Warriors and a few other really strong franchises amid a flowing ocean of crap.

      --
      On Wall Street they say "buy low, sell high" On the pad we say, "buy high, sell high" Isn't that somehow better?
  10. My vote by Daetrin · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I'm anxious to see how Nintendo changes their direction with their next-gen console to solve some of these problems. These are tough times, and three consoles creates a saturated market.

    Backwards compatibility (must have.) A second left shoulder button (must have.) Perhaps a better second analog stick. Some people have complained about the d-pad, but i don't have any complaints there. Develop a better online gaming presence, regardless of how important or not it is to the average gamer the lack is a PR killer. Get out just before or soon after the PS3/XBox2.

    And most important, find a way to kick the (undeserved) just for kids image.

    --
    This Space Intentionally Left Blank
    1. Re:My vote by andyt · · Score: 2, Informative

      And most important, find a way to kick the (undeserved) just for kids image.

      Wouldn't say it is underserved, not when they did crap like this.

      Might not be true now but some of us have long memories.

  11. What's really going on by Fammy2000 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Just pulling back, not stopping all together. Sometimes it helps to gather all the facts than to take a single quote out of context.

    http://www.planetgamecube.com/news.cfm?action=item &id=4469

    --
    If I had something intelligent to say, I would have said it.
  12. here's the problem... by xxxj03yxxx · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If Acclaim would stop making games that completely suck, maybe they'd see their profits go up.

  13. This article should be called... by neostorm · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Sudden increase in quality of Nintendo Gamecube titles..."

  14. Oh no! by hibiki_r · · Score: 3, Funny

    We won't get a sequel to "Mary Kate and Ashley: Sweet 16" for the Gamecube! What are we going to do now?

  15. 3rd party losses... by CashCarSTAR · · Score: 2, Interesting

    What 3rd party games really are that much of a loss? Seriously. I only have a GameCube, and I'm not left missing that much.

    Final Fantasy X, to be sure...

    Destiny Warriors...

    GTA

    and....that's really it.

    That's all I miss coming from 3rd parties not on the GC.

    Maybe I could put together a list other games I'd like to play, but I'm not missing them. Shinobi, Xenosaga, Devil May Cry..umm...not much else..

    Burnout was fun...but other than that, not missing much by Acclaim leaving. I think that Nintendo needs to rebrand themselves as quality over quanity. Get on a different level than the other consoles.

  16. The countdown... by M3wThr33 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    *sigh*
    Sega Sports, Acclaim, who else?

    The only reason they leave it is because they can't compete with Nintendo's games.

    You develop on the PS2 because it'll sell no matter what. There's enough saturation to support crap.

    You port it to the XBox, because it's DirectX and easy to do, so it takes MUCH less to sell to profit, BUT sells more sense XBox owners are hungry for anything.

    You ignore the GameCube because no matter what you do you're competing with the best game developers on the planet and make up poor excuses as to why your games suck.