Ubisoft Invests Early In Wii To 'Beat EA'

Continually seen as one of the staunchest third party supporters of Nintendo's forthcoming Wii platform, Ubisoft has again thrown its weight behind the console, noting that it intends its Wii software to outsell that of competitor Electronic Arts. These sentiments, made in a recent interview with Reuters, echo the long-running conflict between the studios, which began in 2005 following EA's unexpected purchase of 20 percent of Ubisoft's shares. "Our goal is not to sell to EA but to beat EA," commented Ubisoft North America president Laurent Detoc regarding the company's early investment in the Wii. Ubisoft has eight Wii titles currently in development, including Rayman Raving Rabbids, Monster 4X4 World Circuit, Open Season, and Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, as well as Wii-exclusives Red Steel and GT Pro Series. The company is also developing a version of its popular first-person shooter Far Cry for the upcoming platform. Each of these titles is expected to be available for the Wii's launch in November. Ubisoft has also confirmed that both Monster 4X4 World Circuit and GT Pro Series will come bundled with a Thrustmaster-created steering wheel attachment, which will work simply as a controller device that the Wii remote is placed within and then manipulated. "You get it right away," Detoc added of the Wii's unique remote-style controller. "The Wii is unlikely not to succeed. The curiosity factor is going to help them and it's an impulse buy for most people."