To finish up, I’d like to ask you each one… no, two questions. First, what do you think is ZombiU’s unique selling point, and second, what do you like most about Wii U? We’ll reverse the order this time, so let’s start with Gabrielle.
Who, me? You guys are unkind. All of a sudden the woman goes first! (Laughs)
Ladies first, as they say! I guess it’s easier for you to go first, since then the others won’t say what you want to say, right?
First of all, I’ll speak about ZombiU. Given that the whole zombie theme has been done to death, everyone was sceptical about whether we could create a brand new story, so our challenge was to turn this on its head. It was an incredibly tough challenge, but also the most enjoyable for me personally.
Looking at the finished product, it seems like this game and the Wii U GamePad were made for each other, but your first experience must have felt strange, seeing as nothing like this has existed before.
For me, this new hardware gave a sense of freedom of being able to create a new story from the ground up. When I realised that there was a whole new world between my hands on the Wii U GamePad with objects manifesting close to me, I know that this would completely change the way we tell stories. Also thanks to the presence of the Wii U GamePad, we didn’t need to display all this information on the TV screen, meaning we could realise the dream of every artistic director of projecting a completely uncluttered world onto the TV screen. From a storytelling perspective, it’s just brand new way for telling stories.
Understood. Thank you very much! Next, I’d like to ask Guillaume.
What I like about ZombiU is the thrill I get when it seems like I’ve mastered the Wii U GamePad controls and I’m brimming with confidence, thinking to myself “This is too easy!”, and then things take a turn for the worst and I’m suddenly with my back against the wall. That happens a lot in this game. For example, there are three zombies in front of me. I take two of them out cleanly, then aim at the head of the third, ready to deal the decisive blow … only to hear a clicking sound. I’m out of ammo!
(Laughs)
At that moment, my confidence turns into terror. I’m in a state of panic. Various thoughts go through my head. “Oh no, I need to completely change my plan… where can I get ammo?” I feel like I’m losing my grip on what’s happening and get more panicked. It’s been a long time since a game made me feel this way.
It’s that tense moment where, even though it seems all is lost, you feel like you’ve somehow got a chance.
As for Wii U, as a gamer I’m already anticipating the release of games from popular Nintendo series. I’m particularly excited about Zelda, naturally, but also F-Zero! (Laughs)
Thank you very much! (Laughs) On to you, Xavier.
First of all, ZombiU is by no means the first game to try to recreate a sense of fear. However, I think that it does push that experience to a new limit. We’re proud to be bringing this new gaming experience to Wii U as a launch title. Without a doubt, the Wii U GamePad is the key. It ties together the real world and the game world; it’s a survival kit and the player’s one and only help. Players at E3 often came close to dropping the Wii U GamePad, which bears testament to how immersed they were in the game's world. I’m very confident in this aspect of the game.
I see.
For your second question about Wii U, I genuinely believe that you’ve managed to build a system that all comes together. These days, people already use two screens on a daily basis by checking their iPhone or iPad screen while sitting in front of the television. Wii U is taking the innovative first steps in a new trend.
I guess that’s the benefit of having an ‘integrated two screen experience’, rather than keeping them separate.
That’s exactly right. Wii U was intentionally designed as a system incorporating two screens, so I think this gives rise to brand new possibilities. We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to finding new ways of playing. Not only ZombiU, but all of the games we are releasing for Wii U from Ubisoft, such as Rabbids and Just Dance present new ways to have fun.
Before Yves gives his response, do you mind if I quickly add something?
Of course not, go ahead!
This diverges slightly from the topic of games, but I’m really looking forward to using the Wii U GamePad for things like watching Netflix34 and controlling the TV. That’s not something we actually speak very much about. (Laughs) However, I’m very excited about this convergence35 that the Wii U promises. The fact that it doesn’t just stop at games. I think that convergence is a big zeitgeist word for what is happening today., but you are the first to say “Yes!” and embrace it with open arms.34 Netflix: A US online DVD rental company established in 1997. The North American version of the TV guide ‘Nintendo TVii’ allows you to access and view Netflix with the Wii U GamePad.35 Convergence: When separate items that aren’t traditionally linked come together to form a collective.
Thank you very much! (Laughs). I’m glad you’re looking forward to it. And last but not least, Yves.
My answer is pretty simple: the games we release from here on, not only ZombiU, will help bring family and friends together. The Wii U is meant to bring people together, and I’m very pleased for ZombiU to become a part of that.
I see. Today I’ve had the chance to ask your opinions, and I feel like I understand a bit more about why I’ve always felt we have so much in common. Also, I realise that the feeling you get when a lot of different pieces come together to create an excellent game is truly universal. ZombiU as a finished product has taken a very natural form, but reaching that form has involved a lot of trial and error, and I feel that all the ideas have been brought together into a wonderful single concept. Congratulations to you all!
Thank you very much.
Congratulations to you. Thank you.
We’ll pass your message onto the whole team.
I hope we continue to make great games together in future. I hope too that we put smiles on the faces of people all around the world, and indeed scare them to the same extent. (Laughs)
Definitely!
I hope we don’t scare anyone too much. We don’t want them to drop their Wii U GamePad and break it!
(Laughs)
Thank you all very much.
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