Ubisoft cuts full-year earnings forecast

almost every game based off a movie sucks... gamers have figured this out and avoid them like the plague

That's what happens when you make a half-assed game and hope that since its called "Avatar" like a blockbuster movie, it'll rake in the cash... Hopefully they learn from that and continue to make excellent games like AC. How will that work with MP? Everyone will be blocking and counter-attacking and noone will actually hit anything, heh.

Why is everyone like "ZOMG THE FREAKIN ECONOMY IS SOOOO BADZ" I bet half the people who say this are just people who got there pay cut by $5 and claim they can't afford games anymore. Stop whining.

Harerazer Posted Jan 15, 2010 12:09 am GMT The formula was a failure tho from the start since Avatar heavily depends on the 3D aspect and that just couldn't be replicated in the game. ______________________________________________________________ Wrong chummy, Avatar has stereoscopic 3D built into the PS3 version, it's just no bugger has a TV capable of displaying it correctly. (I found it stupidly annoying that it has a feature that my lowly 46" 1080p tv cannot display)

This has nothing to do with the "casual market" and everything to do with crap games (20+ DS games). They said they turned a profit from Just Dance and sold a ton of AC II's so that covers both markets. But when you license properties (Avatar) you have to pay heavily so your profit is going to be down from the start. The formula was a failure tho from the start since Avatar heavily depends on the 3D aspect and that just couldn't be replicated in the game. Ubisoft turned out a movie game, basic and simple, and expected the name to carry them to riches. Sorry Ubi, doesn't work that way. We don't want games with good taste, we want games that taste good.

@SLjimbolian So true.

JACQUES LE BLEU!

I'm glad they're focusing more time and effort on their bigger titles and franchises. A foray into the casual-side of gaming with the Wii was a fail from the start. They should have known, though, that the Avatar video game wasn't going to do very well. Gamers are very wary with movie adaptations.

the game is still fairly new not everyone can aford to go out and by games right now of course sales droped i havent got a game since last year i cant wait to go get some new ones not to menchain it would have sold better if ya all new how to make proper camara modes and not that glitchie cantsee by a rock crap

this time Ubisoft I want a Rayman game where it stars Rayman you know the guy from the original games not the Wabbits or whatever.

This is great news for me! I never really like casual games anyways

Ubsoft will be fine. They probably estimated far too many sales for Avatar that never materialized.

Absolutely agree with DNM1. Ubisoft is capable of some good titles here and there, but they also publish a TON of shovelware, and that they relied on a movie-based game says enough on its own. If nothing else good comes from economic downturn, I hope these companies start condensing their efforts into higher quality products.

Thank whom ever you pray to. This makes my ears buzz and my mouth sing. Maybe we'll actually start getting quality games with the release of Conviction. I'm glad at least one company has learnt their lesson with the casual flop-market. Fads are fads, real games and real gamers are here to stay, be it one generation or the next. Now lets just hope that the next E3 doesn't focus on casual games only to put the idiotic hype machine into full production.

Ubisoft, what did you expect? Things like Dogz, Catz, Babyz, My (insert language here) Coach, do not sell well. You made the wrong games and you blame the console. The DS isn't just about casual games. The same mistake by a lot of the other publishers who still think they can make a quick buck out of the Wii/DS with shovelware.

@BloodMist: the entire Imaginez line is Ubi. And they made a big deal about it last E3, now it seems to be bombing and I for one am glad. Now maybe other companies will see UBI bomb in this market and start releasing quality over quantity.

where are all the tom Clancey games? Didn't they pay a ton o cash for his name? Ghost Recon? Rainbow six?

I would love to see another Ghost Recon, maybe a new Rainbow Six

where the hell is Ghost Recon???

One word: GOOD!

Driver games really went down hill after the first one. Being able to leave your car and hijack another car killed it for me, which turn the game from a skill base of not crashing and making to the point on time to this hybrid gta wannabe before gta3 existed that was awkward and clunky. This is also the same problem that happen in Star Wars Rogue Squadron, they had to fiddle around with something good. Reflection can make some awesome racing mechanics and ideas (bring back Destruction Derby please) but when they go beyond that there is huge problems.

Seriously, NoDzombie. I can't stand seeing so many ridiculous EA titles doing the same exact thing.

lol@casual... i always said only idiots play casual games, and there are too few idiots to make it a viable market... as people stick with 1 game and never buy a new one, there is no casual gaming market (period). it's like casual sex, not as good as the real thing...

Development sure is slowing down for them.

Where is Rayman 4? What is taking so long? That's not a casual game and could easily make alot of money of 360 and PS3 since there are barely any platformers on either console.

finally a company has realised that there is no money to be made in spamming out casual games when the economy is so bad, and has decided to support the real gamers that are still willing to fork out what little money they have for a good game in this terrible economy

Ahh good, glad to see a poorly made movie tie in game not sell well for once. BTW i had no idea Ubi published any DS games.Were they just lame casual games? *shrugs*

More Myst, I say!

wow.... well, movie games, despite their crappiness, usually sell like hotcakes... So does this mean that the world is catching on to the trend????

Pfft, the Avatar game underpeformed?! Since when did companies have high expectations of movie based games, traditionally known for their failures?

"Avatar sales came in below expectations, as well." Yeah, that's what happens to you when you create a terrible game that clearly had no passion, care, or quality development put into it! What a waste! Think of all an Avatar game COULD have been! ='(

again, more not so great news.

I know times are tough for everyone, but there seems to be a lot of blunders, missed opportunities and bad ideas in the strategic plans of game companies. Console companies too, for that matter. I'm surprised more bigwigs aren't losing their jobs over this relentless assault of bad earnings reports.

well how do you expect to sell a lot of software when you release 30 different versions of the same software, eventually people are going to stop buying it. The Imaginez stuff. I for one am glad, screw shovelware and focus on good games for a real system with real gamers.

great news for 360/ps3 owners I guess.