Coming off a 2009 where THQ got a boost from Red Faction: Guerrilla and UFC 2009 Undisputed, CEO Brian Farrell feels optimistic about the future. He said that gamers have a lot to look forward to in 2010 from THQ, including the latest Saints Row, but the lineup probably won't include many core games for the Wii.
“Deadly Creatures was a fun experience. Critically well-reviewed,” said Farrell to IGN. “Didn't find much of an audience and I think more of the core-gaming audience is on 360 and PS3. I know Nintendo doesn't like that message. I'm a huge fan of Nintendo personally, but that's just not where the audience is or the audience there is fairly limited. The old guys like me and maybe you will still play the core stuff -- all the stuff we love about Nintendo on the Wii. But we don't branch out and play some of the core experiences on the Wii. If we do, we go HD and play on PS3 or 360.”
“There are things that we can do,” Farrell continued. “At E3, we'll be unveiling a few things around Wii that are some brand extensions and you go, 'Okay, that makes sense on Wii.' I can get that audience on the Wii. You have to be smart about what you put on Wii from a core gamer's standpoint. But if you look at what's selling on Wii, it's Nintendo's stuff and it's kids, family and casual. Our kids, family and casual gained a lot of share this year on the Wii with things like The Biggest Loser and Marvel Super Hero Squad, and those type of products. And that's where the Wii consumer is.”
When asked about the status of de Blob, one of THQ's more successful efforts for Wii, Farrell responded, “Well, de Blob started its life on Wii. We've not announced anything yet, but obviously with a great brand like that -- people love that character -- taking it to other platforms, the game mechanic can be done. Actually, I prefer it on a normal controller. We'll be branching it out to other platforms -- that's a great brand to build.”
It seems like Farrell's opinion is catching up with THQ's SVP of Creative Development Danny Bilson, who was critical of the Wii last year in an interview with IndustryGamers, though he later backpedaled on those remarks.
