Activision launches Wii-specific 'Wee 1st' label

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Jul 9, 2008 9:44 am PT

Initial batch of Nintendo-centric games due this holiday, will include Little League World Series 2008, Rapala Fishing Frenzy, and Dancing with the Stars.

Although some independent developers are trying to open a conduit of "core" games to the Wii, most major third-party publishers have been content to embrace the console's casual emphasis. This morning, Midway announced a sequel to its Game Party minigame compilation, and Ubisoft recently announced a posterior-powered, third Rayman Raving Rabbids title.

Electronic Arts has gone several steps further, giving all EA Sports Wii titles a pick-up-and-play option and incorporating Miis into select games such as FIFA 08. The megapublisher also rejiggered its multibillion-dollar Sims franchise for the console in the form of MySims, and has released the minigame compilations EA Playground and the rhythm game Boogie.

Today, EA's archrival Activision announced it, too, will be putting greater emphasis on Wii development. Less than a day after its shareholders overwhelmingly approved a merger with Vivendi Games, the soon-to-be half of Activision Blizzard revealed a new Wii-specific label called Wee 1st.

"The Wii is introducing new audiences to gaming," said Activision Publishing's Dave Oxford. "Clearly, the Wii's accessible controls are changing how the audience plays games and how we look at game design. This initiative is designed to showcase games that take full advantage of the Wii's capabilities."

Unfortunately for those impartial to casual games, Activision appears to be taking the same tack as its competitors. The first wave bearing the Wee 1st label, due in the fourth quarter, includes the less-than-hardcore Little League World Series 2008 and Rapala Fishing Frenzy, as well as the TV tie-in Dancing with the Stars: Get Your Dance On! However, Activision did say more holiday titles "will be announced in the upcoming weeks." That raises the possibility of new games being unveiled at the publisher's media event being held alongside--but not in conjunction with--the E3 Media & Business Summit next week.

75 Comments

  • Mindy GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 12:17 pm PT

    haha dancing with the stars?!

  • aduana69

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 1:25 pm PT

    ????? please next time

  • lettuceman44

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 12:03 pm PT

    What is this?

  • maybeehe GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 2:30 am PT

    yeah...not bad

  • huntervaneg

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:34 am PT

    .............................................................................................................(no words, WTF!!)

  • grambyte

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 3:19 am PT

    Euhm... right... tnx for the update I guess...

  • eddy96_1

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 10:45 am PT

    k then

  • gamah_killah

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:47 am PT

    Hmm.. okay

  • Hungry_bunny

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 7:47 pm PT

    Why so casual... -_-

  • Cube_of_MooN

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 2:36 pm PT

    Meh... whatever. I like my 360 best anyway.

  • Falcown

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 2:15 pm PT

    mario113 don't worry about the PS3 fans, if they make jokes at us just remind them how horrible their system is doing compared to Wii. and i agree activision doesn't make very good games.

  • hesel

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 2:00 pm PT

    Please no more mini-games, I can't take no more on the Wii.

  • mario113

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 1:41 pm PT

    Please tell me this is'nt a real game activision face it your games have sucked over the years and now this they have gone from sucky to screw you! seriously ! do'nt make more wii games because those ps3 jerks re just going to throw the jokes like a pitcher

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 9:46 am PT

    I'd prefer Mario Sluggers.

  • djdna514

    Posted Jul 13, 2008 4:02 pm PT

    Great news for those that don't get sick of the dozens of games that have come out that are complete failures because of the little thought that goes into them. And game party 2? really? So let me guess it comes with the free 20 dollars that it will be discounted by the week after its out. DecaSports, Summer Sports, M&M Racing...Seems like I can make a game, and as long as it requires shaking a Wii-mote, it'll be on the shelves tomorrow. So if this new advent means less crap games for the Wii, thumbs up. If it means more crappy games with a brand name backing them, shame on everyone.

    My game: Tooth Brusher-Shake the wii remote to battle tartar, plaque, and gingivitis! Up to 4 players, and 32 online!!!! What do you think Activision?! Hudson?! ANYONE!!!?

  • Falcown

    Posted Jul 13, 2008 1:32 pm PT

    Wazzap1 stay out of the Wii forums and go back to your failing PS3. I personally find this good and bad, its good because this could give Nintendo more family appeal and if blizzard decides to throw in a few games, *cough* warcraft *cough* it might expand the Wii's Market. but the only thing i find bad so far are the new games mentioned above. and as everyone else has complained about, the new name "wee 1st." I sense sony and microsoft fans writing their jokes as i type this...

  • TenP

    Posted Jul 13, 2008 9:49 am PT

    @jab692, I don't mean to burst your bubble but Okami was on the PS2 two years before it was on Wii.
    . . About the news, I hope this works out... My Wii's been gaining dust ever since I started to find Mario Kart and SSBB old.

  • BontraXenderKyl

    Posted Jul 13, 2008 12:11 am PT

    @wazzap1.

    wii is for people who love it and for those whose brain keeps growing up - not for of course

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Jul 12, 2008 8:51 am PT

    Not all casual games are bad (see Guitar Hero, Boom Blox, Raving Rabids, etc.) We might get some good games out of this new label. But I agree, "Wee 1st" is an awful name.

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