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Mario + Rabbids studio Ubisoft Milan isn’t worried about the reportedly ‘disappointing’ launch of its sequel last year, its producer has told VGC.

Despite strong reviews and a five-year wait for the follow-up, Sparks of Hope disappointed commercially following its release last October, according to its publisher. CEO Yves Guillemot even later suggested the company should’ve held Sparks of Hope until Nintendo’s next console.

However, speaking to VGC in a recent interview, series producer Cristina Nava claimed the Milan studio isn’t concerned about the launch performance of the sequel, as it expects Sparks of Hope to sell over a long period of time, as its predecessor did.

The first Mario + Rabbids had more than 10 million players. Even though it’s Mario, it’s also a genre game: turn-based tactical adventure. So we cannot expect to sell high numbers at the very beginning, because a game like that is a slow burner.

Even if at the beginning it seemed like Sparks of Hope didn’t meet expectations, we are confident that over a number of years it will grow. Because it’s been received, by both the press and the public, very, very well. It’s just a matter of giving it time, with word of mouth etc.