While UFC 2010 Undisputed was the primary driver of THQ’s fiscal first quarter sales, the title fell short of the company’s internal forecasts, leading to a $30.1 million net loss for the quarter. 2.7 million units have been shipped, but THQ CEO Brian Farrell says that the publisher is looking into increasing the time the next UFC stays in development.
Farrell blamed a crowded marketplace for the poor sales of UFC 2010, with stiff competition coming from Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption.
"We're considering a longer development cycle—15, 18, 21 months, rather than annually," Farrell told investors. THQ says it plans to work "with the UFC to make sure that we're aligned with their plans as well."
How UFC 2011 will be handled remains to be seen, but THQ still has a UFC title ready for its next fiscal year, which ends March 2012. "The question is timing," Farrell said. "That depends on the scope of the game, the window and how we want to release the game."
UFC Undisputed 2010’s PSP port will be released in September, and UFC Fitness Trainer will be ready for Kinect and PlayStation Move shortly thereafter.
[Via Kotaku]
2 Comments
August 11, 2010
I think this is a smart move. Not that many titles can succeed with an annual release and many of the ones that do(Madden) seem very stagnant and not very inspired or fresh from year to year.
August 12, 2010
There really isn't any new fighters joining the UFC in 1 year that warrants a new release. In 2 years adds or removes around 20 fighters but there usually a change in championships 1-3 times a year. With the extra time they can spend it on ways to improve the game mechanics. Adding WEC's roster also owned by Zuffa to the UFC game would make for an awesome addition to the franchise.