Saturday, June 30, 2007

´Beautiful Katamari´ canned for PS3, coming to Wii



There are substantial rumours suggesting that Namco Bandai´s ´Beautiful Katamari´ will not be released for the PlayStation3, IGN writes. Originally, the game was in development for Xbox360 and PS3.


Up until recently, the developer continued to work on both versions of the project. However, sources close to Namco Bandai tell IGN that the studio ran into some trouble with the port of the game to PlayStation 3 and these issues, coupled with the stalled sales of the system, have led to the project's quiet cancellation. Looking to better-than-expected sales of Wii, the company has, say insiders, re-shifted resources to ready a Wii build of Beautiful Katamari instead. Given that the title cannot be ported from Xbox 360, the game is being re-concepted for Wii.


´Re-concepted´ might mean a different game, however. Newsweek technology editor N´Gai Croal revealed on his blog two weeks ago that ´Beautiful Katamari´ would become an Xbox360 exclusive.


A little birdie with good reason to know--and to gloat--informed us that the We Love Katamari sequel, Beautiful Katamari, would join the ranks of Xbox 360 exclusive titles. (...) We've since confirmed that an exclusivity deal between Namco and Microsoft is very close to fruition, likely to be announced at the E3 Media and Business Summit in July. Namco is enjoying the warm embrace and ever-deepening ties with Microsoft, while Microsoft sees this as an opportunity to change the perception of Xbox 360 as the barracks for bald space marines and little else.

This doesn't spell the end of the world for the PS3; after all, none of these games will single-handedly turn this generation over to Microsoft, and each is all but certain to make its way to the PS3--eventually. But it demonstrates the impact that the continued weak PS3 sales are having on the strength of the platform: the installed base disparity between Xbox 360 and PS3 means that Sony isn't strong enough--or willing enough to reach into its pockets--to hold on to the types of games and franchises that belonged to it alone during the PS2 era.




Whether or not ´Beautiful Katamari´ will make its way to Wii, the console is certainly gaining rapidly in terms of development focus. Only days ago, the Nikkei newspaper (via VarietyAsiaOnline) revealed that major Japanese studios were switching their resources from the PS3 to Wii, with Namco Bandai implementing the most drastic changes.


Namco Bandai will up its Nintendo titles by 109% to 115; Sega by 96% to 49; and Capcom by 5% to 20. Meanwhile, the three majors intend to cut shipments of titles for Sony machines by 30%-40%. (...)

Square Enix, another Japanese software major, has no plans to develop titles for the PS3 until sales improve enough to make the steep development costs financially worthwhile.


The changes at Namco Bandai should come as no surprise. After all, the company only just shipped their first Wii title, well over half a year after the console´s launch. And the Wii´s success is still more than evident.

This success is already reflected in the number of exclusive titles. The good people over at Gaming Target are keeping score and this is what it looks like:


Xbox360: 91 (+3 from last count: 44 released, 47 announced)

PS3: 44 (+4 from last count: 8 released, 36 announced)

Wii: 76 (+7 from last count: 21 released, 55 announced)


You might want to compare this in detail with the the figures from mid-May. Clearly, developers have already jumped on Nintendo´s bandwagon. And they are continuing to jump.

Sources: IGN, N´Gai Croal´s blog, Nikkei newspaper (via VarietyAsiaOnline), Namco Bandai, Associated Press (via MSNBC)
Thanks to: DreD, ..pakbeka.., Joystiq, Alcibiades

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope this is true, because when N'Gai wrote that piece, I was totally wiggin' out on "What happened to the Wii version?!?!?!?!"

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I want a Wii with Red Steel 2, Metroid Prime 3, Galaxy and Dewy's Adventure

-IALS

Anonymous said...

and Parallel lines

-------------------------

new Metroid Prime 3 soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=MQjw2u8OXhk



-IALS

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Actually, NamDai has been supporting the Wii from the start, as SD Gundam Scad Hammers and Tamagotchi Party On were launch games... also, let's not forget about the One Piece game, the upcoming Gundam MS Sensen 0079 and the farther-off Soul Calibur Legends... plus all those "unnamed" projects they had...

Regardless, I hope that the Wii gets the new Katamari game :D

Falafelkid said...

Hi Fede.

Actually, NamDai has been supporting the Wii from the start, as SD Gundam Scad Hammers and Tamagotchi Party On were launch games...

In Japan, maybe. I am simply quoting the company when I call Tamagotchi the first Namco bandai title for Wii.

Anonymous said...

Is falafelkid's email address

Avantgarbe@aol.com
????

Thank you I need to email him something!

Mandalayon said...

@ Fala: The first Bandai-title released in the US was Dragonball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2 already at the consoles launch. Well, they weren't the publisher, but at least they developped it.

Anonymous said...

sorry guys but is it just me or does it look astonishingly cheap..the new smash bros?....I don't know but thats what automatically comes to mind when I see shots that circulate around the web...it looks so poor...i dont know what else to say...it looks like its intentionally designed to distract older gamers with its ultra bright nintendoesque kiddy colours and characters...its beyond comprehension for me how you can label this a killer app must have title for all agaes...seriously...its merry go round with nintendo...i still dont see them making any efforts to introduce new and interesting worlds and characters beyond their franchise pool..i dont see them reaching out to sonys and microsofts older clientele....i guess the only conclusion is that they are comfortable with playing it save sinc they can get aways with it and be successful even after all these lackluster dry spell years where gamers had nothing to look forward to expect a handful good Nintendo published titles between long intervals....its the same situation now...everyday i visit the usual sites like ign, gamefront and gonintendo hoping see some great new Wii games with solid visuals and fresh ideas only to be let down as always.....shit aint never gonna change I guess....

Anonymous said...

that was me IALS by the way

Anonymous said...

2 Ninty...you know....I'll do anythiiiiing that you want me toooooooo...

....but:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vouDK-

LELEU

....no can do!

<:-)

-Irrelevant Annoying Laughing Stock

Karim said...

Even though sony and microsoft are thinking of the next step, nintendo is making it. THey have a perfect piece of hardware (Wii) yet they keep moving with this small steps, unlike Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo PLAYD it big, and is PLAYING it small. Each small development doesnt only contribute to the fact that it has more content, it also helps nintendo in being in the picture once again. Those guys are sooo smart >:)



signature: - v -
----------------------------------
www.karimamrani.com

Blizz419 said...

IALS that better not be the soundtrack to metroid 3 that shit was some straight up garbageis that want you listen too no wonder you are such a confused individual.

Unknown said...

Your contact lenses vbigviz pertaining to polarize Oakley Sunglasses Cheap are crucial. Your contact Half X Oakley lenses transforming procedure permits you to surely change your contact lenses tints relating Oakley Sunglasses Discount pertaining to the level of lighting effects issue. in case you change your contact lenses color, your Sale Oakley Sunglasses current aesthetic acuity should be increased. Oakley Jawbone get wraparound to make your users peek Oakley Stpl Jawbone sporty. These are suitable for players as well as individuals who commonly accomplish your activities backyard. Right now, you'll be able to find Half X throughout several varieties of tints including Oakley Sunglasses Outlet darkish, natural, red along with discolored.

Unknown said...

Your contact lenses vbigviz pertaining to polarize Oakley Sunglasses Cheap are crucial. Your contact Half X Oakley lenses transforming procedure permits you to surely change your contact lenses tints relating Oakley Sunglasses Discount pertaining to the level of lighting effects issue. in case you change your contact lenses color, your Sale Oakley Sunglasses current aesthetic acuity should be increased. Oakley Jawbone get wraparound to make your users peek Oakley Stpl Jawbone sporty. These are suitable for players as well as individuals who commonly accomplish your activities backyard. Right now, you'll be able to find Half X throughout several varieties of tints including Oakley Sunglasses Outlet darkish, natural, red along with discolored.