Take-Two's biggest blockbusters such as Grand Theft Auto IV and BioShock skipped the Nintendo Wii, but with the console's installed base growing by leaps and bounds, the publisher may need to more seriously consider more Wii opportunities, execs said Wednesday.
"Even though we think M-rated content is much more appropriate for the PS3 or 360, we have to look at the Wii as a viable platform across all our labels," said CEO Ben Feder during an earnings call. "We have to, because we can't ignore the installed base. You just can't."
Take-Two previously released the M-rated Manhunt 2 on the Wii in 2007, which stirred up controversy as the game's violence was put into motion with the console's interface. The violence earned it an Adults-Only rating initially, and was only released once Take-Two downplayed certain scenes. It failed to attract a wide audience within the Wii's then-smaller userbase.
But Take-Two has seen success on the Wii with the family-friendly Carnival Games franchise."The success of the Carnival Games franchise gives us a great foundation upon which to build" on the Wii, Feder said.
"Some of our best content really isn't appropriate for the Wii. That said, Carnival Games has been a massive success for the company, and we're looking at ... extending that brand to other areas."
The exec also said sports franchises will address the Wii market in the coming year.
The DS title GTA: Chinatown Wars, an M-rated game, may also serve as a barometer as to how a typical Nintendo audience would react to future adult-themed games on Wii.
Feder said Take-Two's partnership with Nintendo is "the strongest it's ever been" and the company has been working closely with Nintendo on GTA: Chinatown Wars.
"They provide great feedback for us," he stated.
If this happens.. I'm getting a wii over 360/ps3! :wacko