If there's one Rayman Legends related image that clearly captures the rage fans feel at the game's delay from February 26th (or March 1st if you're living in Europe) to September, it's this one.
It's been nearly a week since Ubisoft's announcement that Rayman Legends would go multiplatform (something no one has any problems with) and be delayed until September in order to have a simultaneous release on all platforms. It's this delay of the Wii U version that has fandom riled up and poking their online pitchforks at Ubisoft through any means necessary, be it their Facebook page, online message boards or the Uplay community on Miiverse.
While a delay in and of itself is nothing new to Nintendo fans, this delay is different because a - the game is already finished (confirmed by Ubisoft) and b - currently the Wii U has somewhat of a software drought until mid- to late March. Not only are Wii U gamers eager to get their hands on new software, but there isn't anything major coming out for weeks, a perfect window of opportunity for Ubisoft to release a brilliant game that people have been waiting for since launch. Wii U gamers are now not only denied this game when it's wanted and needed, by the time September rolls around, software drought isn't going to be an issue anymore.
And if this delay wasn't rage-inducing enough, Ubisoft tried to be smart about it and promise Wii U owners an exclusive new demo! If you have, at all, followed that announcement, you know how well that went. As well as jumping naked into a piranha-infested river.
During this week I've noticed a few things about the argument and that everyone seems to have a different story, explanation etc. There've also been a few "points" made by protesters that do more harm than good. Nothing I say can add more to it, but allow me to write them all down in one nice rant, so everyone knows the how and why.
Reason for delay #1:
Rayman Legends was delayed because Ubisoft didn't want to spend two marketing budgets. One at the end of February, one in September.
BS because:
Ubisoft has had no problems releasing Rayman Origins on a thousand platforms in November 2011, whilst in the midst of other major Fall titles, with hardly any marketing at all. The game sold horribly, though enough to make a profit, even though the price of the game went down (very) rapidly.
Rayman Legends has been featured prominently in Nintendo Directs, the Wii U eShop (trailers and a demo) and has been the only playable demo at Wii U booths in stores worldwide. It's been pushed hard already and with the current software drought, there is no need for marketing at all.
Reason for delay #2:
Rayman Legends has been delayed because of Microsoft's policy that software has to be released on the Xbox 360 alongside other versions and can't be a late port. Microsoft retains the right to refuse late ports on their system.
BS because:
While the policy itself is apparently very true, the BS part of this reason is that Rayman Legends has been developed for Wii U and takes advantage of the Wii U GamePad in ways a normal controller can't. For example, the Murphy sections are controlled with the GamePad's touchscreen only. This means the game has to be altered to fit the Xbox 360 (and PS3) controller.
Not just that, but Ubisoft can circumvent the policy by adding extra content, which is the only loophole allowing older games to be ported to the Xbox 360. I'm sure Ubisoft can have a few extra levels added to Rayman Legends and make it a "deluxe" version, so Microsoft is happy.
Reason for delay #3:
The game was delayed because if the Wii U version comes out in February and the ports come out in September, Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers will see the game as a port of "an old game" and not bother with it.
BS because:
Ubisoft claims going multiplatform with the title is because of the many Xbox 360 and PS3 fans who were angered by the game being exclusive to Wii U and demanded that the game be released on their platforms as well. Ubisoft listened to these fans, because fans are important to them (*cough*unless you have a Wii U*/cough*).
Now if these fans are demanding to play the game so much, these are the gamers that have been so vocal about being able to play the game on their platform, why would they view the game as "an old game" if the Wii U version is released first? Shouldn't they be happy they're getting the game at all since their prayers have been answered? For all intents and purposes, the game would've been an exclusive, so....
Reason for delay #4:
Ubisoft delayed the Wii U version because of the current installed base of Wii U console not being high enough.
BS because:
While some form and shape of this could be an underlying factor, Rayman Legends was originally intended to be a Wii U launch title, meaning Ubisoft was willing to release the finished game to an installed base of ZERO.
Reason for delay #5:
Ubisoft is going multiplatform and delaying the Wii u version because they'll make more money in September since it's being released to a bigger Wii U installed base and the combined installed base of 150 million Xbox 360's and PS3's.
BS because:
Grand Theft Auto V.
But if you want a more elaborate explanation, it's quite simple. The Wii U installed base will most likely be a lot larger come September, so it's not a total stretch to believe more money can be made a few months down the line. However, with the current Wii U software drought and Rayman Legends having the "place" all to itself for the next couple of weeks, it stands to sell quite well and even sell more Wii U consoles. In September, people's minds (and wallets) will be gearing towards the massive Fall schedule, featuring games such as Grand Theft Auto V (for X360/PS3 owners) and an HD Zelda, Mario or Yoshi.
Rayman is a huge title right now, but will get lost in the shuffle this September. So while Ubisoft is betting on those X360 and PS3 fans that demanded the game to rake in the cash, they're apparently forgetting about GTA V and the fact that Origins itself didn't sell THAT well to those audiences even without a major title such as that.
To be fair, the fiscal year is ending on March 31st, so any sales of Rayman Legends before that time will add to 2012's fiscal year. Sales after that will be added to the total of 2013's. Somewhat understandable, but doesn't mean the game would sell any better in September.
If I'm forgetting anything, I'd love to hear about it, but these are the "reasons" I hear people throw around most of the time.
In regards to people who are vocally against this decision by Ubisoft, please bear in mind the following:
Don't give Ubisoft too many options. I hear people say "release this game or that game (even the original Origins) for Wii U and we'll be happy". I hear people say "release Rayman Legends on the eShop and the retail one in September, everybody wins".
No we won't. First off, while releasing games like Watch Dogs, Splinter Cell Blacklist and other high-profile games on Wii U is welcomed, they should not become a bargaining chip. It won't magically make right the way Ubisoft has treated Wii U owners with this decision. Gaining two more Wii U titles is something that Ubisoft should already be working on, it does not mean we're suddenly okay with the delay of the only promising game within a software drought. It's like saying to your partner "beat me up all you want, but take me out for icecream later ok?". Just no.
Secondly, an eShop release means full price and no physical copy. MANY gamers like to buy their games with either trade-ins, discounts etc. AND have a physical copy. Most want Rayman Legends badly, but not badly enough to have it as a download title only. With storage space on Wii U being limited as it is, it would splinter the group of people who really want this game and result in less than stellar sales.
This means one thing and one thing only. Ubisoft can only do two things. Release the game in September and face other titles, boycotts and people just not caring anymore OR release the title in February and make everyone happy with the added bonus that "the people have spoken and won". No if's or buts. No giving Ubisoft the idea that we'll take some shape or form besides releasing the game as promised as a consolation prize. Because that's what you are doing. So don't.
A small and nagging little tidbit, while we have no idea what games will be available for Wii U in September (besides the ones released between March and then), it's a safe bet we'll be seeing either a Mario title (Kart for instance), Yarn Yoshi or Wind Waker HD. Nothing has been confirmed yet, so we can't know for sure, but Nintendo WILL have more Wii U titles lined up for that month.
But since we don't have anything confirmed we can't be sure what will be released, so do me a favor, in your arguments for Ubisoft to release Rayman in February, stop posting things like "HA, Rayman won't have ANYTHING on Pokémon this September", because you'll look like a fool. Not because you're wrong, but because you are right for the wrong reason. Pokémon is set for release in October, not September, so it's not a valid argument.
Also, it's a delay of SEVEN months. Not four, not five, not six or eight. SEVEN. If you're making a statement, please have your facts straight, it'll make Ubisoft take you more seriously as you'll not come across as someone on a bandwagon repeating things while not even having their facts straight, but as a fan who deeply cares. While enthousiasm and rage DO help, THINK before you type. Thank you.
Let me end this by adding my two cents:
If Ubisoft GENUINELY cares about its gamers and is looking for a way out of this PR nightmare, I have a small tip. Tomorrow it's Valentine's Day. If you want to show your Wii U audience that you care about them and LOVE them, announce the original releasedate for Rayman Legends tomorrow. It'll be perfect timing, you'll be riding the wave of love that sweeps across the world and give the people what they want.
In regards to the vocal masses eviscerating Ubisoft at the moment, if (and that's a big IF) Ubisoft DOES decide to release Rayman Legends at the end of the month, stick your money where your mouth is and BUY THE DAMN GAME. It will not only send a message to Ubisoft that they WERE wrong to delay it, but also tells other third party developers that developing for Wii U IS profitable.
Should you not buy the game regardless of a reinstated releasedate, then you'll have hurt the Wii U more than you know and it's not Ubisoft that failed legendary, it will be us.
It's not just angry Rayman fans that are expressing their, to put it very lightly, dismay at the Rayman Legends delay anymore, the game's developer Michel Ancel and the development team are also joining in on the "fun".
Holding a poster featuring a crying Rayman saying "please" (translation) and a message saying "Release Rayman, support Ubisoft Montpellier", it's clear that no one, except some higher-up at Ubisoft is pleased with the whole situation. Nearly a week after the news first hit, fans are still raging online on message boards, Ubisoft's Facebook page and Miiverse. There's also a petition going on at change.org that is nearing 10.000 signatures, with numbers rising every day. So, this is really not going away just yet.
Ubisoft is clearly not responding to this as their Facebook page hasn't had an update ever since their post about the "exclusive demo" for Wii U owners was placed in an attempt to calm everyone down, but instead fueled the fire even further. It seems like Ubisoft is trying to find a way to solve this mess by being very careful of their next move, however, each day that they aren't addressing the issue, enrages fans even more.
Michel Ancel and his team backing up the fight to get Rayman Legends released at the end of February has now inspired Reddit user "SuitMyPants", to start a "We Love Rayman" campaign.
“I’ll be making a collage with everybody’s picture and send a thank you to Ubisoft’s developers. The point is to make an echo to Ubisoft, show we do support Rayman, just not their decision.” – Reddit user ‘SuitMyPants’
This campaign is about collecting pictures, drawings and such from angry gamers who are furious at Ubisoft, but also want to support the game's development team for their efforts. A collage will be made from these drawings and pictures, which will be sent to the development team of Ubisoft Montpellier to show that people really appreciate their hard work on Rayman Legends, because the massive boycott the game is about to receive will hurt the team more than Ubisoft.
If you want to support the "We Love Rayman" campaign, send your pictures, drawings etc. to weloverayman@gmail.com. Bear in mind to not include any hate towards Ubisoft, since this is a gesture to the developers, not Ubisoft.
I love Miiverse, but I have to admit, I wish there was a way to add colors. Still, an image says a thousand words, so I'll be brief. The original Miiverse pic that people have responded to in very nice and awesome ways (again, thank you all!), has been remade in full color!
Hope you like it as much as the original, which is featured below for comparison reasons:
You don't kick a man when he is down. Period. Ubisoft on the other hand hasn't heard of this saying and has posted the following on their Facebook page:
"Thanks for all your feedback regarding Rayman Legends in all of its forms. We have heard you and we will continue to listen. We understand your frustration and that you want to get your hands on the game. We are working with the development team to provide you with a new, exclusive demo for the Wii U soon. Stay tuned for more."
So then, we'll be getting a demo then! Can anyone tell what is wrong with this picture? I'll spoil it for you.
First off, Ubisoft claims to understand our frustration and they have heard us and they'll continue to listen. Well, if this is listening, I am sure Ubisoft has no clue as to which body part is used for listening. You see, the fans demanded that the Wii U version would be released on its original releasedate of February 26th in North America and March 1st in Europe. That is what fans wanted, that is what fans were frustrated about.
Secondly, we're getting a Wii U exclusive Rayman Legends demo! Yay! But wait, didn't we already have one? Like the one being playable at Wii U demo kiosks in stores and the one on the eShop right now? That's ONLY available on Wii U. So we already have a Wii U exclusive demo.
Finally, the developer of the game already stated that the team had so little free time due to the development of the game, really crunching it to make sure the Wii U version was ready for its release in February, but also because there was a demo that had to be made each month, one for E3, for kiosks, eShop etc, etc. Now they're tasked with creating ANOTHER one?
Seriously, Ubisoft is caught in a massive shitstorm of social media rage, angry gamers and really burning through any goodwill they had from Nintendo gamers, with this they're saying that they're not only NOT listening to the fans, NOT seeing what it's about (or avoiding it entirely) but also shitting over the developer as well. "Hey, that game you worked so hard on to finish but almost couldn't because of all the demos and stuff? Well, you have 7 months extra now. We also want two more versions. Aaaaand another demo".
Considering the flak the company is now receiving on their Facebook page for this moronic announcement, we hope the message will finally, hopefully (and soon) sink in.
Also, we heard Ubisoft is looking for a new PR-manager since yesterday. It gets funnier and funnier, but in a very sad, sad way.
Yes, this has been covered already, though not yet by MPN, but in case you were living under a rock the past few days, Ubisoft has delayed Rayman Legends for Wii U until September.
This delay is the result of the announcement that Rayman Legends would also not be Wii U exclusive anymore, but will be available on both PS3 and Xbox 360 as well. Ubisoft claims this move is because they wanted to listen to the fans who complained that they wouldn't be able to play the Wii U exclusive title, so now it's going multiplatform. Because of this, Wii U gamers eager to get their hands on the game in a matter of weeks, will now be forced to wait an extra 7 months.
The kicker is, Ubisoft has come out and said outright that the delay is only to accommodate a simultaneous multiplatform release, the Wii U game is already finished, but benched. Many gamers, which also surprisingly has PS3 and Xbox 360 owners being just as vocal about it, are furious about this decision. Not so much the multiplatform part, but everyone agrees that there is NO GOOD reason for Ubisoft to delay a finished title for a console in dire need of games during a time where no games will be out for about a month.
Ubisoft is getting flamed on message boards, Miiverse and their own Facebook pages by angry gamers, so hopefully they'll realize that this choice, might not have been such a smart one and release the Wii U version on its intended releasedate.
In the early days there would be mobs of people chasing a wrongdoer across town with pitchforks and although we've come a long way since then, this now occurs online through various internet outlets of which social media is a major one.
Surprising though is that the usually kind, friendly and positive Miiverse has gone up in arms to let Ubisoft know that the delay of Rayman Legends, especially since it's already finished on Wii U, is not something that has been taken lightly. Visit the Uplay community and it's the hottest community right now, ripe with hours of insults, raging fans and funny stabs at the delay and/or Ubisoft.
I also contributed to this by drawing on Miiverse, which has been made into a picture that, as of now, is making its rounds on the internet (thanks to MPN Twitter follower Axis1500 for taking it) and has been sighted on sites as Ngamer (NL) and NeoGAF among others.
Mostly everyone (though some individuals do not, but everyone's entitled to their opinion on the matter) agrees that Ubisoft has made a huge mistake. Not so much by allowing PS3 and Xbox 360 owners a chance at the game, but by delaying the finished Wii U game three weeks before its release during a time where all Wii U gamers were not only looking forward to the title, but there is no other game in sight for weeks (especially in Europe, where Scribblenauts has also magically disappeared from the releaseschedule).
Yet, Ubisoft claims it's doing this so they can have a multiplatform release this September, whilst going up against a little game called Grand Theft Auto V (you might have heard of it), not to mention more Wii U titles from Nintendo that already have been, or will be released around that time.
Now I might not be an economic or financial advisor, but releasing a game in February with no other noteworthy release in sight for weeks, gives you a higher chance at selling the game to software starved Wii U gamers, instead of during September, with many other major releases coming out or up, regardless of how much the installed base of Wii U consoles has grown by then. It's also not like people will only buy Rayman Legends for Wii U in February, there's March, April and so on.
The game is featured at every demo kiosk in stores, trailers and demo can also be found on the eShop, so it's not like Ubisoft has to market it in any major way, it's already being done FOR them. So the marketing issue of having to do that twice is ridiculous, especially considering that Ubisoft hardly marketed Rayman Origins, so it's not like they're known for their media blitzes in regards to Rayman games.
For Wii U gamers, it makes no sense to delay the game. It's finished, it's something people are wanting to play and willing to pay for. The way Ubisoft has stated that due to "PS3 and Xbox 360 owners being very vocal about missing out on Rayman Legends" they decided to port it and delay the Wii U version. Will Ubisoft now also release Splinter Cell Blacklist and Watch Dogs on Wii U? They care about what their fans want, so why are those games not announced? This basically means that Ubisoft is actually saying "we care about our fans, so we did this for them", meaning they don't give a shit about Wii U fans that are left in the cold. If they did, and actually listened to their fans, Rayman Legends would still be set for February 26th/March 1st.
It might still happen, I'm an optimist at heart, but if it does not, then I'll fall in line with the rest of the community and not buy Rayman Legends at all. It's a message that you'll find on every message board, Miiverse and even Ubisoft's Facebook page. I feel sorry for the developers of the game, but Ubisoft has made it hard for any (Wii U) fans to buy the game without feeling like they're enabling this kind of behaviour.
It's a catch 22. You don't buy the game, Ubisoft blames the developer, blames Wii U (I can see it now "See, 3rd party games don't sell on Wii U!") and the developer sees their hard work be for nothing, if only for the fact that no one buys the game to get back at Ubisoft. If you DO buy the game, which will be brilliant regardless of this idiotic mess, you're basically telling Ubisoft, your behaviour towards your customers is justified, please screw me over once more you horny devil. Considering the social rampage that's going on right now, people will NOT want to choose the latter.
Will Ubisoft listen to its fans and give in? Or ignore it? What will you do either way? Let me know below!
- Alex
Sidenote - A massive thank you to everyone who has "Yeah'd" the image on Miiverse, shared it online or commented on it, if it made you laugh at a messed up situation, then I'm happy to have made it possible. Thank you all!
LEGO City Undercover will be released in a special edition variant for those that pre-order the Wii U title and will come with a limited edition LEGO figure of Chase McCain, the game's protagonist.
Above you'll find the European boxart and if you want to get your hands on that figure, you'll better pre-order it as soon as possible.
Google Maps is coming to Wii U through a new app for Wii U, simply called Wii Street U (powered by Google). First revealed to the world as a Streetview demo at E3, the app allows Wii U owners to visit the world in the comfort of their own home and have a look around.
Here's the first trailer:
The app is set to be released on Wii U in Japan mid-february. A release outside of Japan is in the works, but nothing has been announced at this point.
Computer and Videogames has had a full hands-on with LEGO City Undercover on Wii U and comes away very impressed with the title. The game features 15 missions of which just the first one took about an hour to complete and that's not even counting the massive number of collectibles the game offers. For the full hands-on preview, visit CVG here.
