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Why doesn't Ubisoft port ZombiU to other platforms?

you are absolutely right op, they should defenitely port it to 3ds. it has 42million installed base and two screens to emulate the original experience of the game on wiiu. or you dont have a 3ds either?
Hot damn.
 
With the recent slew of Zombie centric games (specially on PC), do we really need ZombiU?

I think that the Gamepad controls were and essential part of the experience. If you remove that, the game looses some of it's appeal in my opinion.
 
Fuck I love that game.

I need to continue my Survivor run...but I'm terrified of it.

Funny thing that Wii U probably has one of the most hardcore modes in gaming, that mode is real tension and brings the whole game to life.

Love it.
 
I think I've just about seen all 3rd party WiiU exclusives (however meager the number is) be called-out for being a WiiU exclusive. And then, there's the endless supply of "Why isn't Nintendo 3rd party?!?" posts and threads. Which, basically are port-begging an entire company's catalog and future creations. It's not like there's one, singular killer app title here that everyone's clamoring for that's tied down to a console that has nothing else to offer.

Pretty much all 3rd party exclusives get called out for being exclusive. Theres been a ton of port begging for Titanfall on PS4; moreso than anything I've seen on WiiU except maybe Bayonetta (for obvious reasons).

I will agree that it seems like the Wii gets picked on more often but I think that that falls down to expectations. PS/Xbox owners are use to getting all the latest and greatest exclusives -- they are spoiled. Nintendo gamers are use to missing out and most of them only want Nintendo games anyway.
 
The GamePad makes this game. It's nothing without it.

No the great atmosphere and game design makes the game.

The gamepad works well for it, but it's not something that should prevent the game from going to other platforms. It's probably BEST with the gamepad, but since the Wii U is unfortunately dying, I want to see the IP continue.

Best horror game since Amnesia.
 
Considering that the game would need a new name would also present an issue.

ZombiU

I could see the game on PS4 using the Vita, but then again not everyone has a Vita.
 
I wonder how many of the port beggers have played the game and know how the gamepad is used.

The radar could go on the screen, the real-time inventory could just pop up over the action ala Resident Evil 5.

It's really not as impossible to port as lots of people make out!

Again, I stress the gamepad was cool and is a better solution than this, but these changes would hardly ruin the game.
 
If it did, it'd be at the bottom of my list for PS4 horror games. The Evil Within, Dying Light, Outlast, Alien: Isolation, and SOMA all look way more interesting.
 
The radar could go on the screen, the real-time inventory could just pop up over the action ala Resident Evil 5.

It's really not as impossible to port as lots of people make out!

Again, I stress the gamepad was cool and is a better solution than this, but these changes would hardly ruin the game.

It'd be a completely different game. What makes it special is the Gamepad use for nearly everything and how by shifting your attention from the TV gets you in danger, but you can still peak a few seconds what's happening in the game.

It's the aiming, the radar, the password input, the shortcuts, the scanner, the multiplayer...

I guess you could also play Guitar Hero with a traditional pad, but it'd be hardly the same.
 
It would be totally different to the point that it wouldn't be the same game. Part of the tension is diving attention between game screen and game pad. If you take that away, you take away part of what makes it what it is.
Its possible to simulate this tention fine by instead of looking at another screen when going through the inventory, you just see another screen on the TV/monitor when you push a button to view the inventory, but the game isnt paused. Kinda like how it is in Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.
 
I still don't get why this game was ever exclusive to WiiU in the first place. The gameplay would work perfectly fine on the other consoles and PC. The game sold like absolutely crap as well, both due to low install base as well as the fact that it was exclusive; they could garner so many more sales by making it multiplatform.

Just remove the U at the end, rename it ZombiPS4 or ZomboX or some shit, bump up the graphics, and bobs your uncle, easy money.

1. It would not perfectly well. In fact it´s impossible to replicate a) the inventory off-screen (obviously) b) the scanning of your environment, The gyros of the competition are just too last gen for this

2. According to Ubis latest "announcements" the game is crawling up to it´s initial predictions. Maybe due to continous sales in the eshop and constant recommendations in the community.

3. If you want to play it - get a Wii U. It has awesome games.
 
It'd be a completely different game. What makes it special is the Gamepad use for nearly everything and how by shifting your attention from the TV gets you in danger, but you can still peak a few seconds what's happening in the game.

It's the aiming, the radar, the password input, the shortcuts, the scanner, the multiplayer...

I guess you could also play Guitar Hero with a traditional pad, but it'd be hardly the same.

It would be a different game in lots of ways, yes, but again I think that if they kept the great atmosphere, level design and game design, it would still be worth pursuing. Realistically, we're not going going to get a sequel on Wii U... even moreso now that the console will be dead in 2 years.

I'd much rather the IP adapted and continued in a different form than just canned because it couldn't do some of the things the same way.

I disagree that the gamepad is as vital to the experience as the peripherals were to Guitar Hero. Many of the things the gamepad did were gimmicks - cool ones, yes, but if you took most away and replaced them with on-screen elements it would still work.

At least, if it was done correctly.

Sadly, I think the IP is probably dead anyway so this is all rather academic. What a shame, eh?

Its possible to simulate this tention fine by instead of looking at another screen when going through the inventory, you just see another screen on the TV/monitor when you push a button to view the inventory, but the game isnt paused. Kinda like how it is in Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.

Exactly. The real time element can still be tense/scary, without looking at your lap. :)
 
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Is that Channing Tatum?
 
I can't believe they will not expand this property any further after all the positive press it got, i guess it didn't translate in sales?

It's one of the best selling wiiU games but it didnt make up for the costs, the game was in limbo for like 2 or 3 years prior to its release, it used to be a xbox 360 game, then it got moved to wiiU, then it got changed to zombiU. it was in development hell and costed way more than it should.
 
If they could get the Vita to do what the pad did for the game then sure, but it would have to require the Vita because without the second screen the game loses a lot of what made it amazing.

A lot of people say things like, "well why don't you just make it so you can manage your inventory in real time on the same screen," and these people have clearly never experienced the game. Divvying your attention from one screen to the other, the use of the map/radar, and the scanner made the game what it is, that may sound stupid to some but it was a refreshing change of pace after a gen full of games that felt mostly similar to one another. It was the kind of experience I was excited to have on the console when I bought it and it's a real shame that third party developers have given up on it, I can't say I blame them but it is a shame nonetheless.
 
I wish they would. It's a fantastic game and I think you could have a semi-translucent 'live' inventory overlay on one screen and still maintain much of what makes the game great. No doubt the game uses the Wii U pad in great ways, but I don't think it's that alone that makes the game great.

In addition, you could throw in an 'original' mode on the PS4 if you have a Vita, and you'd lose nothing at all.

you are absolutely right op, they should defenitely port it to 3ds. it has 42million installed base and two screens to emulate the original experience of the game on wiiu. or you dont have a 3ds either?
3DS wouldn't have a hope in hell of running anything like Zombi U.
 
I already have this for my Wii U (haven't actually touched the console yet as I'm uncertain if I'll return it and wait for a lower price) and played it at Eurogamer 2012 but I haven't seen anything from the core gameplay that couldn't be translated to a different system. Make the inventory a semi-transparent overlay and it would work fine.
 
If you only own Nintendo consoles and don't game on anything else, I can maybe understand that you thinking this was a fantastic game.

It's not. It sucks. It's one of the few games I had in my brief (3 month) ownership period before I jettisoned my Wii U as if it carried the plague.

The graphics were terrible. It ran like shit. Design was very simplistic, it just wasn't very fun.

This game would sell in the neighborhood of zero copies on any other platform, as there are MUCH better options available.

Anyone looking for better games in the zombie and/or horror genres would be advised to check out Resident Evil 4, State of Decay, and Amnesia. Hell, check out The Room on iOS. No zombies, but nice creepy vibe; and you're not trying to interpret action through not one, but two screens that both are running at such low resolutions they look like they've been smeared with used motor oil.
 
This game could totally be converted to work on other platforms, but that would be missing the point of many of its game mechanics. The way the gamepad is utilized in the game makes it feel like a tool you use to interact with the game world rather than an abstract controller. I know it sounds pretencious but I think you really do have to play it for a bit to understand this, as from first glance you get the impression many on here are showing, that it can easily be translated without diminishing the game's experience.

That doesn't mean I wouldnt like to see ito n other systems, it would work very well on ps4 + vita but thats a very small market. I would also like to see a possible sequel / spinoff series on the 3ds.

If you only own Nintendo consoles and don't game on anything else, I can maybe understand that you thinking this was a fantastic game.

It's not. It sucks. It's one of the few games I had in my brief (3 month) ownership period before I jettisoned my Wii U as if it carried the plague.

The graphics were terrible. It ran like shit. Design was very simplistic, it just wasn't very fun.

This game would sell in the neighborhood of zero copies on any other platform, as there are MUCH better options available.

Anyone looking for better games in the zombie and/or horror genres would be advised to check out Resident Evil 4, State of Decay, and Amnesia. Hell, check out The Room on iOS. No zombies, but nice creepy vibe; and you're not trying to interpret action through not one, but two screens that both are running at such low resolutions they look like they've been smeared with used motor oil.


I can understand disliking the game, it seems like a very marmite experience with most. Personally I love it and it's one of my favorite games on the WiiU, they nailed the atmosphere and sense of urgency, you truly never feel safe and fight tooth and nail to survive. I loved it. But i don't understand your issues with it technically, It wasn't a pretty game but its not ugly either, the framerate was largely a solid 30fps, and the resolutions was fine, native on the gamepad and 720p on the tv which is standard for consoles, we do have next gen games runign at 720p aswell afterall.
 
The GamePad makes this game. It's nothing without it.


I disagree. Other than inventory management I found the pad stuff to be cheap gimmicks that at the time I would have preferred gone. It would be a slightly lesser game without the pad but the concept is strong enough to carry it.


For me the fun of ZombiU was the tension of being far from home and knowing if I die I may not make it back... it wasn't inventory management.
 
I already have this for my Wii U (haven't actually touched the console yet as I'm uncertain if I'll return it and wait for a lower price) and played it at Eurogamer 2012 but I haven't seen anything from the core gameplay that couldn't be translated to a different system. Make the inventory a semi-transparent overlay and it would work fine.

So you haven´t played it yet...

I wish they would. It's a fantastic game and I think you could have a semi-translucent 'live' inventory overlay on one screen and still maintain much of what makes the game great. No doubt the game uses the Wii U pad in great ways, but I don't think it's that alone that makes the game great.

In addition, you could throw in an 'original' mode on the PS4 if you have a Vita, and you'd lose nothing at all.


3DS wouldn't have a hope in hell of running anything like Zombi U.


While i agree, that an overlay would kinda work (without delivering the same tention as looking away from the screen entirely because you would always see whats coming for you) i disagree on the scanning part. Most people "forget" about this feature. The gamepads gyros + magnetometer make it incredible responsive which you just can´t replicate on a vita or a Sixaxis. (+ the occasional lag)
 
I disagree. Other than inventory management I found the pad stuff to be cheap gimmicks that at the time I would have preferred gone. It would be a slightly lesser game without the pad but the concept is strong enough to carry it.


For me the fun of ZombiU was the tension of being far from home and knowing if I die I may not make it back... it wasn't inventory management.

Well, the inventory is the least significant part. It's the constant gyro scanning I think people are referring to here.
 
Like many have said before. What demand is there for porting ZombiU to Xbox and Playstation? There are plenty of quality zombie games on these consoles out there. Left 4 Dead, Resident evil series, The Walking Dead, Dead Island.
 
I still don't get why this game was ever exclusive to WiiU in the first place. The gameplay would work perfectly fine on the other consoles and PC. The game sold like absolutely crap as well, both due to low install base as well as the fact that it was exclusive; they could garner so many more sales by making it multiplatform.

Just remove the U at the end, rename it ZombiPS4 or ZomboX or some shit, bump up the graphics, and bobs your uncle, easy money.

Have you actually played the game..? Doesn't sound like it. The gameplay is centered around the GamePad. Even if Ubisoft Montpellier decided to port the game to other platforms using the Vita and Smartglass in place of the GamePad the lag would make it about as useful as a chocolate teapot, plus you'll have the problem of there not being enough people owning Vitas or Smartglass capable devices to make it worth doing.

As for the sales it's not doing too bad. Should be around 750K by now including digital sales, it's been on various special offers in the eShop since launch. Should do over 1m lifetime sales quite easily.

And once the Wii U's installed userbase grows a bit more I'm pretty sure we'll see Ubisoft continuing their work on the sequel.
 
Shame, poor Ubisoft actually tried really hard to come up with something decent to do with the tablet controller but it all just didn't work out for them. I wonder if they will continue to be so adventurous.
 
And is gyro scanning really something that couldn't be done by looking around the environment with analog sticks or the Dualshock 4 motion controls?

Missed that part. But playing it on a con is entirely different than playing it alone in the dark. Looking not at the screen, not knowing whats coming for you adds the tension, an overlay intends the same but in a weaker execution. Same for the scanning, sure it would "somehow" work, but it wouldn´t be as fluid and natural (Dual shock is simply not accurate enough - just try Nintendoland or Panorama view to experience the pads gyros in full effect). Having the closest thing to an alien-like motionscanner we got so far in a videogame always at your fingertips is another aspect which is often forgotten. Having an (litteraly) extra device to scan and observe your environment adds to the immersion of the game. You can port everything - you could port Wii Sports as well. But it would not be the same.

Like many have said before. What demand is there for porting ZombiU to Xbox and Playstation? There are plenty of quality zombie games on these consoles out there. Left 4 Dead, Resident evil series, The Walking Dead, Dead Island.

Mentioning these games makes it really obvious you haven´t played ZombiU. ^^
 
It's not port begging. We're just wondering why Ubi wouldn't shoot for the dollars they left on the table.

And we're finding that it's really not game pad dependent. It would be a shame to leave what some call a real survival horror on a dead system.

Yeah they could take some time and make it second screen optional. More people should get to try it out.
 
It's not port begging. We're just wondering why Ubi wouldn't shoot for the dollars they left on the table.

And we're finding that it's really not game pad dependent. It would be a shame to leave what some call a real survival horror on a dead system.

Well, it is port begging. And Wii U was not dead when it first came out and still people were not interested enough in the game to buy it. Best chance to play it is to buy a Wii U, whether you are happy with it or or not. And it is not like the game would be a massive hit in other platforms as well. I can't see Ubisoft spending money to adapt the game to utilize default control methods when not many people would buy it anyway.

And you are right. It is a real survival horror and it is probably the best one released in years.
 
ZombiU already has the option of just using the joystick to scan the room; I vastly prefer it to spinning the GamePad around the place while trying to look at its screen.

The game could translate over to other consoles just fine, but at this point I think it's pretty clear Ubisoft wants to forget it ever happened. They would have announced a port ages ago if it was going to happen. Just... you know, play it on Wii U if the game really interests you. It's flawed and glitchy as fuck, but the atmosphere is downright amazing at times.
 
Like many have said before. What demand is there for porting ZombiU to Xbox and Playstation? There are plenty of quality zombie games on these consoles out there. Left 4 Dead, Resident evil series, The Walking Dead, Dead Island.

None of those are horror games.
 
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