14 DAY TRIAL // SEGA released two M-rated videogames for the Nintendo Wii lately and the results have been less than stellar, with both titles failing to sell more than 100,000 units in the United States in their first month on sales, if NPD Group numbers are to be believed. Many saw this as proof that the Wii is a platform suited only for T-rated games that target non traditional gamers and not for titles aimed at hardcore players. SEGA begs to differ.
Gary Dunn, who is a representative for SEGA Europe, told Gamesindustry.biz that “You have to push boundaries and explore. I think whilst MadWorld commercially didn't sell what we were expecting I wouldn't say it's game over for mature Wii titles from Sega. We're taking a look at the resources we have now. We've got money to invest in development, we're just considering where to invest it next.”
The publisher is pursuing a strategy of price cuts, special offers and other new content to make sure that the two games are still selling and bringing in additional revenue. SEGA points to Valkyria Chronicles as a game that managed to sell better a while after the official release. Still, it makes sense to reduce the amount of money invested in new traditional titles on the Nintendo Wii.
At the moment, the hardcore Wii player base can get The Conduit, which is a first person shooter, and can be looking forward to receiving yet another M-rated game, Dead Space: Extraction, which Electronic Arts plans on publishing before the end of the year.
Extraction tells the story of how the monolith from the initial Dead Space game got aboard the planet cracking spaceship and is set to deliver the same horror experience of the initial release while adapting the shooting mechanic to the unique controls of the Nintendo Wii.