THQ cuts back on Gamecube support - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Ruined · 02-22-2003, 09:53 PM

from GAMEPRO

THQ Scales Back GameCube Support
20-FEB-03

At a conference call held today, THQ reported that they will cancel a number of current projects and scale back its support for the GameCube in 2003 and beyond. The news comes as the publisher warned of substantial losses in the first quarter of this year, after a profitable but still disappointing holiday-season performance.

A total of 20 game projects, all under external development, have gotten the axe from THQ, a third of which were for the GameCube. "Our GameCube portfolio did not perform up to expectations," CEO Brian Farrell said during the conference call. "In response to this, we have reduced the number of products in development for the GameCube platform."

THQ recorded a profit of $3.1 million and record revenues of $217.8 million for the last three months of 2003, about half as much profit as they predicted at the start of the quarter. The company predicts losses for the first half of 2003, but expects to take in revenue of between $520 million and $530 million for the entire year.

Interestingly enough, the company reported a one-time charge of $1.6 million for disposing of WWF-labeled games after the wrestling federation changed its name to WWE last year. If any of them survived, we'd imagine they could be pretty valuable in a few years.

Vangrizz · 02-23-2003, 12:04 AM

Just wondering....if 1/3 of the titles chopped were for Game Cube...what were the other 2/3?

Wouldn't 1/3 be an even share for Game Cube?

Ruined · 02-23-2003, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vangrizz
Just wondering....if 1/3 of the titles chopped were for Game Cube...what were the other 2/3?

Wouldn't 1/3 be an even share for Game Cube?

No. You have to remember that the console THQ supports the most is Gameboy Advance (they released more GBA titles in 2002 than XBOX and PS2 titles combined). So a bunch of GBA titles likely got canned, too.

IKEA_boy · 02-23-2003, 03:17 AM

On no! I can't play the next Spongebob or WWE game on the Gamecube!

Really though, the Gamecube lives in this bizzare psuedo world where a system can survive only on great games and be supported by non-casual gamers. Too bad this isn't true in the real world. Unfortunately, for a system to thrive, this third party crap has to do good, which also isn't the case on the Gamecube.

This is bad. Third party support on the cube is dropping left and right. I have a feeling the Cube will be the next Dreamcast.

sub780lime · 02-24-2003, 03:15 AM

sort of disappointing since there is no hope for a good wrestling game on the Box, Wrestlemania 17 aint bad, still not up to no mercy standards

egman · 02-24-2003, 01:11 PM

IKEA_boy--It does sound bad at first, but I really think that this will turn out to be a good year. Over the weekend I checked out some of the new pics and vids of F-Zero AC and GC. The video on the Zelda bonus disk doesn't do the game justice. It looks mind blowing!

If this is an indication of the things to come from this Triforce partenership between Nintendo, Namco and Sega then GameCube fans won't be missing the likes of THQ and Codemasters anytime soon. It also helps that Nintendo's been splitting development teams and is trying to push out more first party product.

I may sound a little too optimistic to some, but really I think the similarities between the Dreamcast's life span and GameCube's are unfounded. Sega pulled the plug because they we bleeding to death from several bad decisions which started with the Sega CD. Nintendo can comfortably support the GameCube for the rest of this generation but hopefully they will continue to be more aggressive as they have been of late. I wondering if the marketing compaign for the next Zelda will show us a new, more competitive Nintendo emerging.

Astrakan · 02-24-2003, 03:06 PM

This is a touchy topic and while I know that my opinion is considered close to blasphemy by some, I truly wouldn't mind if Nintendo went software only.

I can deal with having to get two consoles to be able to play all the exclusive must-have titles, but three is just too much. Like many people I bought my cube for the often unique and high quality Nintendo games, not the third party stuff, so if Nintendo went software only it'd mean one less console to buy while still having access to all the Nintendo gaming glory.

Oh, and I know they said they'd pull out of the software business the day they pull out of the hardware business, but I don't believe that for a minute. Any business would be insane to turn down the money Nintendo would be able to generate by continuing to make software. And what would the fall back on? Playing cards? Please.

They MIGHT pull out of the living-room console business and be content with the portable console business. But again, I just don't think it'd make good business sense to quit making software that would most certainly sell and generate profit, even if it IS on a non-Nintendo platform.

KM

Triple HHH · 02-25-2003, 08:58 PM

Nintendo going software-only would not be a bad idea actually. But I agree with egman that it will take a few more blows to Nintendo to really make them give up. But the Gamecube has sort of underperformed and I think the next Nintendo system will really tell us if the Big N really want to change and improve (be more aggressive), or do the same thing its doing now.

Btw, would you guys consider the N64 to be a success, or a moderate failure? It's definitely no Sega CD, but I read somewhere that that was when a few developers lost interest in Nintendo for (1)aiming it more at kids than mature gamers, and (2)opting for technology that some felt was backwards (cartridges)

Some say Nintendo is two down right now, but that is if you feel the N64 was a failure.

IKEA_boy · 02-28-2003, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruined
A total of 20 game projects, all under external development, have gotten the axe from THQ, a third of which were for the GameCube.

So... what's going on with the other two thirds?

Ruined · 02-28-2003, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IKEA_boy
So... what's going on with the other two thirds?

Scroll up

IKEA_boy · 02-28-2003, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruined
Scroll up

D'oh!

whedon · 02-28-2003, 03:05 PM

A new report has come out showing the sales revenue that Nintendo and Sony have earned from 1995 to 2002. Sony has gathered a total of 36 billion dollars. Nintendo 32 billion dollars.

Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank. Thay are running a profitable business despite a lower userbase and 'important' companies dropping their support for Cube. I've yet to shed a tear at these announcements.

Nintendo ain't going nowhere. Now bring me Pikmin 2!!!

egman · 02-28-2003, 03:36 PM

Not too mention recent news like a strengthing of relationships with EA and Konami. I have a feeling Nintendo has been really working hard behind the scenes lately and by the end of the year we will realize we're looking at different company. I think what happened to their stock in Jan. was the last wake up call.

E3 will be really interesting because all eyes are going to be on Nintendo. There will be a lot of assestments made about Nintendo's future based on their performance there.

Engineer_J · 02-28-2003, 11:49 PM

For every dropped game on the Gamecube there is a new game added.....

Konami of America has confirmed that there will in fact be a new Metal Gear game on the Nintendo GameCube.

On a recent press trip in Europe, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto recently mentioned the possibility of a new Metal Gear game on the GameCube. We've since received official confirmation from Konami of America that there is in fact a Metal Gear game in development for Nintendo's console, though Konami was unable to confirm whether the game will be a port of an existing Metal Gear title or a completely original game.
We'll have more updates on the upcoming Metal Gear game as we receive them.

or.....

Ubi Soft has today announced that it will publish Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life for the GameCube, and Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town for the GBA in Europe later this year

Nintendo seems to be working it and repairing relationships.

02-22-2003, 09:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	THQ cuts back on Gamecube support from GAMEPRO THQ Scales Back GameCube Support 20-FEB-03 At a conference call held today, THQ reported that they will cancel a number of current projects and scale back its support for the GameCube in 2003 and beyond. The news comes as the publisher warned of substantial losses in the first quarter of this year, after a profitable but still disappointing holiday-season performance. A total of 20 game projects, all under external development, have gotten the axe from THQ, a third of which were for the GameCube. "Our GameCube portfolio did not perform up to expectations," CEO Brian Farrell said during the conference call. "In response to this, we have reduced the number of products in development for the GameCube platform." THQ recorded a profit of $3.1 million and record revenues of $217.8 million for the last three months of 2003, about half as much profit as they predicted at the start of the quarter. The company predicts losses for the first half of 2003, but expects to take in revenue of between $520 million and $530 million for the entire year. Interestingly enough, the company reported a one-time charge of $1.6 million for disposing of WWF-labeled games after the wrestling federation changed its name to WWE last year. If any of them survived, we'd imagine they could be pretty valuable in a few years. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

02-23-2003, 12:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vangrizz Supporting Actor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC	Just wondering....if 1/3 of the titles chopped were for Game Cube...what were the other 2/3? Wouldn't 1/3 be an even share for Game Cube? __________________ My DVD List at DVD Aficionado

02-23-2003, 03:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
IKEA_boy Director Emeritus ~~Persista~~ Persistent Student Join Date: Oct 2001	On no! I can't play the next Spongebob or WWE game on the Gamecube! Really though, the Gamecube lives in this bizzare psuedo world where a system can survive only on great games and be supported by non-casual gamers. Too bad this isn't true in the real world. Unfortunately, for a system to thrive, this third party crap has to do good, which also isn't the case on the Gamecube. This is bad. Third party support on the cube is dropping left and right. I have a feeling the Cube will be the next Dreamcast. Last edited by IKEA_boy : 02-23-2003 at 04:04 AM.

02-24-2003, 03:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Astrakan Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Toronto, ON Canada	This is a touchy topic and while I know that my opinion is considered close to blasphemy by some, I truly wouldn't mind if Nintendo went software only. I can deal with having to get two consoles to be able to play all the exclusive must-have titles, but three is just too much. Like many people I bought my cube for the often unique and high quality Nintendo games, not the third party stuff, so if Nintendo went software only it'd mean one less console to buy while still having access to all the Nintendo gaming glory. Oh, and I know they said they'd pull out of the software business the day they pull out of the hardware business, but I don't believe that for a minute. Any business would be insane to turn down the money Nintendo would be able to generate by continuing to make software. And what would the fall back on? Playing cards? Please. They MIGHT pull out of the living-room console business and be content with the portable console business. But again, I just don't think it'd make good business sense to quit making software that would most certainly sell and generate profit, even if it IS on a non-Nintendo platform. KM Last edited by Astrakan : 02-24-2003 at 03:14 PM.

02-25-2003, 08:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Triple HHH Actor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Governor of California	Nintendo going software-only would not be a bad idea actually. But I agree with egman that it will take a few more blows to Nintendo to really make them give up. But the Gamecube has sort of underperformed and I think the next Nintendo system will really tell us if the Big N really want to change and improve (be more aggressive), or do the same thing its doing now. Btw, would you guys consider the N64 to be a success, or a moderate failure? It's definitely no Sega CD, but I read somewhere that that was when a few developers lost interest in Nintendo for (1)aiming it more at kids than mature gamers, and (2)opting for technology that some felt was backwards (cartridges) Some say Nintendo is two down right now, but that is if you feel the N64 was a failure. __________________ With fronds like these, who needs anemones?

02-24-2003, 03:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
sub780lime Can't Spell Bilbo Join Date: May 2002 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away	sort of disappointing since there is no hope for a good wrestling game on the Box, Wrestlemania 17 aint bad, still not up to no mercy standards

02-24-2003, 01:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
egman Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA	IKEA_boy--It does sound bad at first, but I really think that this will turn out to be a good year. Over the weekend I checked out some of the new pics and vids of F-Zero AC and GC. The video on the Zelda bonus disk doesn't do the game justice. It looks mind blowing! If this is an indication of the things to come from this Triforce partenership between Nintendo, Namco and Sega then GameCube fans won't be missing the likes of THQ and Codemasters anytime soon. It also helps that Nintendo's been splitting development teams and is trying to push out more first party product. I may sound a little too optimistic to some, but really I think the similarities between the Dreamcast's life span and GameCube's are unfounded. Sega pulled the plug because they we bleeding to death from several bad decisions which started with the Sega CD. Nintendo can comfortably support the GameCube for the rest of this generation but hopefully they will continue to be more aggressive as they have been of late. I wondering if the marketing compaign for the next Zelda will show us a new, more competitive Nintendo emerging.

02-28-2003, 03:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
whedon Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: 2 hours south of Sydney, Australia	A new report has come out showing the sales revenue that Nintendo and Sony have earned from 1995 to 2002. Sony has gathered a total of 36 billion dollars. Nintendo 32 billion dollars. Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank. Thay are running a profitable business despite a lower userbase and 'important' companies dropping their support for Cube. I've yet to shed a tear at these announcements. Nintendo ain't going nowhere. Now bring me Pikmin 2!!! __________________ If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!

02-28-2003, 03:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
egman Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA	Not too mention recent news like a strengthing of relationships with EA and Konami. I have a feeling Nintendo has been really working hard behind the scenes lately and by the end of the year we will realize we're looking at different company. I think what happened to their stock in Jan. was the last wake up call. E3 will be really interesting because all eyes are going to be on Nintendo. There will be a lot of assestments made about Nintendo's future based on their performance there.

02-28-2003, 11:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
Engineer_J The Gordon Gekko of Games Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, TX, USA	For every dropped game on the Gamecube there is a new game added..... Konami of America has confirmed that there will in fact be a new Metal Gear game on the Nintendo GameCube. On a recent press trip in Europe, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto recently mentioned the possibility of a new Metal Gear game on the GameCube. We've since received official confirmation from Konami of America that there is in fact a Metal Gear game in development for Nintendo's console, though Konami was unable to confirm whether the game will be a port of an existing Metal Gear title or a completely original game. We'll have more updates on the upcoming Metal Gear game as we receive them. or..... Ubi Soft has today announced that it will publish Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life for the GameCube, and Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town for the GBA in Europe later this year Nintendo seems to be working it and repairing relationships.

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