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Ubisoft wheeling out Shaun White Skateboarding
Like this, but on wheels New board, new surfaces to fall down, same unkempt Olympian. Ubisoft has just announced a new Shaun White game that's all about ... skateboarding? Shaun White Skateboarding is being released on unspecified platforms this holiday season. The Wii seems likely, since the first Shaun White Snowboarding game was such a hit on that platform and the follow-up was a Wii exclusive. Because we're absolutely tuned in to popular culture, especially extreme sports, we were totally familiar with Shaun White's dual careers in both snowboarding and skateboarding. In case you aren't as well-versed in Mr. White's achievements as we definitely were, Ubisoft notes in the press release that he is "the first athlete to win both gold medals in skateboarding and snowboarding at the Summer and Winter X Games." That's right. They give out medals in the X Games.
Shaun White Snowboarding World Stage trailer is all big air, winding grinds
Almost every post on Joystiq about Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage has been met with cries for a new SSX game, but this launch trailer for Ubisoft's upcoming game actually does a good job of mimicking the EA series' over-the-top X-TREME thrills. Sure, there's manufactured virtual pals to laugh at and stereotypical caricatures of foreigners from countries you never bothered to learn about in there, but the warm, nougety center of snowboarding goodness seems warm and inviting enough.Also, what's with that logo? Why is Shaun White's hair the dot on the "i?" If we were him, we'd try to steer as far away from being associated with that other red-headed dude as possible. We'd also be too rich to blog for you people.
Shaun White, C&C 3 added to Games on Demand
Another Tuesday, more games for Xbox Live's Games on Demand service. This week, two new titles have been added, Shaun White Snowboarding and Command & Conquer 3. Shaun White is available everywhere except Canada, Japan and Korea, while Command & Conquer 3 is only available in -- deep breath -- Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom. As usual, pricing varies by region (Shaun White is $29.99 in the US). Check the links below to see the price for your region. Shortcut: Xbox Live Marketplace: Shaun White SnowboardingShortcut: Xbox Live Marketplace: Command & Conquer 3 [Via Major Nelson]
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage trailer travels the globe
Ubisoft just sent us a new trailer for Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage and, as those powder-carving kids would say, it's totally tubular. It reminds us of a time when snowboarding games were, uh, fun (oh, how we miss you, SSX). If this wasn't on your radar before this post, we're sure that's going to change for a few of you after checking out the action above. Enjoy.%Gallery-64279%
Shaun White Snowboarding sequel is Wii-exclusive
click to make with the bigness Ubisoft has announced that its sequel to last year's multiplatform Shaun White Snowboarding is coming exclusively to Wii. Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal and is planned for a holiday 2009 release.The move to a single-platform release may seem surprising, but it's made less so when you consider that the Wii version of the first game outsold other versions by nearly a 2:1 margin. We've contacted Ubisoft for comment on the decision and to clarify whether or not this news marks a full-stop for the franchise on other platforms. In the meantime, start waxing those balance boards.%Gallery-64279%
Ubisoft: full-year sales up 14% in 2008
Ubisoft announced its financial results (PDF link) for fiscal 2008 (which ended on March 31, 2009), and for the most part news (or Newz, if you prefer) is good. Full-year sales for 2008 grew to €1.058 billion, up 14% over last year's €928 million total.The company explained the strong results of its last quarter with "a continued very strong showing" for its Wii lineup, including Raving Rabbids TV Party, Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip, and My Fitness Coach. One million units each of Shaun White (not just limited to the Wii version), Tom Clancy's HAWX and the Petz and Imagine games were shipped to retailers in Q4.Ubisoft's sales target for the 2009 fiscal year is €1.1 billion. It expects the first quarter sales of 2009 to be weaker than 2008's, due to the relative lack of major releases (Q1 2008 included Haze and Assassin's Creed on PC), with growth to occur in the second half of the year.Source (PDF document)
Ubisoft bringing select titles to Mac gamers
Through a partnership with TransGaming Inc., Ubisoft is poised to bring select titles to Mac gamers (yes, we repeat: "Mac gamers") through retail and digital download channels. The two most significant offerings will be Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding, although Ubisoft will also provide CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence, Rayman Raving Rabbids and Petz Sports to retail locations for the first time. Those games are currently only available through Ubisoft's website. You can download Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding for Mac from Ubisoft's site (and look for the other games on retail shelves) next month.
Shaun White Snowboarding freebie DLC is ... free!
After complaining about the first round of expensive Shaun White Snowboarding DLC, Ubisoft took our "constructive criticism" and just released a fresh batch of free content. Or at least we like to think our complaining convinced them to release free content ... no matter.SW Snowboarding's The Freebie Pack and all its 16MB glory is now available for download off the XBLM. This free content is comprised of a few new pieces of apparel and some freshly decorated snowboard skins there were created by the community. Free content is always good. Much thanks Flying Tomato![Via Major Nelson]
Glamourized SW Snowboarding DLC now available
"The Flying Tomato" himself has released a new set of downloadable content for his self titled Shaun White Snowboarding game, bringing with it new jackets, pants, boards and other wearables. You know, so you can play dress up with your snowboarder. The 400 Microsoft point The Glamour Pack is the first and (seeing how overpriced it is) hopefully the last chuck of game DLC. Now go carve those mountains.
Target puts select titles on sale
Target is having a sale where key Wii titles will be discounted. As you can see above, qualifying titles include Shaun White Snowboarding, Animal Crossing: City Folk, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. If you didn't get check any of these titles out, but wanted to, now might be the time to head on over to your local Target store. Also, we're not sure if the sale price on Madden 09 applies to just the Xbox 360 version, or all versions of the game, so keep that in mind if you're thinking about throwing the virtual pigskin around.
40 percent of Shaun White Snowboarding sales on Wii, sequel confirmed
Reuters reports that of the 259,000 copies of Shaun White Snowboarding Ubisoft sold in November, 40% of them were for Wii. In the same article, White himself reveals that a sequel to the game is already in the works."Now that I have the knowledge and I can speak to programmers better and I understand a lot more about what's possible and what's not possible, this will all help with the next game," White told Reuters. He reportedly told the sequel's developer that "using procedural snow accumulation and having the Cell's SPU3 handle the boarder's animation blending" would be, "like, wicked gnarly." (Okay, so we made up that second quote.)
Ubisoft working on Shaun White Snowboarding sequel
It's no secret that Ubisoft has high hopes for Shaun White Snowboarding. The company said it expects the game to sell a million copies and, so far, the game is flying off retail shelves faster than scrumptious hotcakes, unloading 259,000 copies in the U.S. across the various platforms in November alone (generating $13.6 million for Ubisoft). We'd also like to point out that 40% of that figure is Wii sales.Ubisoft has liked the reception, apparently, as a sequel to the game is already underway, Shaun White confirmed. "Now that I have the knowledge and I can speak to programmers better and I understand a lot more about what's possible and what's not possible, this will all help with the next game," he said. So, how many of you picked it up? What kind of additions or changes would you like to see in the next game?%Gallery-29887%
Ubisoft: It's not hopeless for third-party devs on Wii
The biggest competition for a third-party developer on Wii is, obviously, Nintendo. But, that doesn't mean it's hopeless. Ubisoft is just one of the third-party developers that have found success on the console. How? Through strategic and careful planning."We saw that at the end of this year, there were not so many Nintendo products, and we thought there was a window of opportunity," said Ubisoft CFO Alain Martinez at the UBS Global Media Conference this week. "I believe to date, Nintendo is about 30-35 percent market share. So that means if you are aggressive, and if you come up with the right products, you can gain market share there." Because of this, the company expects Shaun White Snowboarding and Raving Rabbids TV Party to sell 1 million and 1.5 million units each, respectively.It's not like Nintendo is making it so that third parties need to wait for the stars and planets to align, however. "Nintendo is surely not making it impossible for people to make good games [on its systems]," Martinez added. "They've been helping us make games. So it's up to us."Of course, this isn't to say that Ubisoft has had nothing but luck with the Wii. They've tried to pile some stinkers on us in the past. But, monkey see, monkey do. The more successful third-party developers are on Wii, the more it attracts others to reach for their own slice of that pie. %Gallery-23883%
Shipping this week: Braaaains edition
You've read the headline and you're probably thinking, "Oh, great. Just what we need. Another article effusing praise for Left 4 Dead. Thanks. Thank you so much." In truth, yes, we're excited that Left 4 Dead is coming out this week, but the reality of the headline is best understood by glancing at the list below. There are twelve, twelve new games being released this week. If that's not enough to metamorphose every respectable gamer into a gibbering, cash-starved zombie, we're not sure what is. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have suddenly developed an irresistible craving for braaains gaaames. Left 4 Dead The Last Remnant Shaun White Snowboarding Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe You're in the Movies with Camera Tomb Raider Underworld NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 LIPS Karaoke Revolution: American Idol 2 Disney's Bolt Sonic Unleashed Need For Speed: Undercover
IGN's feet-on Shaun White Snowboarding comparison
The question has been on everybody's lips since Cammie Dunaway shed her shoes and opened Nintendo's E3 press conference with Shaun White Snowboarding: can the Balance Board provide a notable leap forward for the snowboarding genre? IGN has a comparison of the PS3/360 and Wii versions of Ubisoft's snowboarding title, but if you're too lazy to read, the short answer is: no.At least, not in Shaun White Snowboarding. While IGN concedes using the Balance Board is "great fun carving down the slopes and doing spins off jumps," it ultimately "feels like a severely pared back snowboarding experience." In fact, Shaun White on Wii didn't impress IGN much at all, tying only one category (visuals/presentation) and losing the other four. Disappointing, because we know the Balance Board has tons of potential for this kind of thing.%Gallery-29887%
Joystiq hands-on: TARGET EDITION! (of Shaun White Snowboarding)
Breathe a sigh of relief. It's not nearly as bad as it first sounded. In fact, the "Target edition" of Shaun White Snowboarding might actually warrant a trip to Target for game shopping. And, didn't you hear? Target expects plenty of Wiis in stock this season. Why not do all your holiday spending there?The marketing ploy is quite clear, and a good one. Building off its apparel partnership with Shaun White, Target has positioned itself to offer, exclusively through its retail and online outlets (oh, hai Wal-Mart!), a premium edition of Ubisoft's snowboarding game, and in turn, a hook to lure consumers into crossing off all the game requests on the holiday gift lists they're responsible for. (A recent survey found that 90% of tweens and teens are expected to ask for a video game this year.)That's right, we said premium edition. While the Target-branded version will cost an additional $5, it'll include roughly 20 percent more game content (which, we were told, will never be offered as DLC). More specifically, the standard edition, available through all other retailers, will feature four mountains (each divided into peak, park and backcountry sections); the Target edition will include a fifth mountain, the "Target Mountain," which isn't as large as the original mountains, but does boast some interesting extras, like a full loop to attempt in the Xbox 360 version (identical to the PlayStation 3 and PC versions) and a trip inside the Target Chalet, based on the elitist party pad in Aspen. We know what you're thinking: But, what about the ads?%Gallery-23905%
Trophies: Shaun White Snowboarding
While a lot of the descriptions for these Trophies are incredibly vague and unclear, there's no denying that they make you feel like you're being personally congratulated by Shaun White. And in the end, isn't that what Trophies are all about? We'll leave you to ponder that one while you check out the full Trophy list, which can be seen after the break. View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal
Ubisoft really wants you to buy Shaun White Snowboarding
How do we know? Because they're throwing a lot of money into advertising the game. $10 million, to be exact, all in the hopes that you'll want to hit the virtual slopes with Shaun and the gang.The campaign started last night, where Ubisoft purchased all of the ad space on the season premiere of popular television show South Park. That's not it, either, as it's being reported that Shaun White will make appearances on ESPN shows on November 16th to promote the game. In addition to that, Ubisoft is also purchasing air time on select Viacom channels with the purpose of promoting Shaun White Snowboarding.%Gallery-29887%
Ubisoft putting up $10M in Shaun White Snowboarding ads
Try as we might, we just haven't been able to get excited about Shaun White Snowboarding. To date, we've only been able to motivate ourselves to post about its use of the Balance Board and the inclusion of mighty Target Mountain, coated daily by artificial snow machines and values. Now, Ubisoft is taking action against our apathy with a new $10 million ad campaign for the game.In fact, if you watch next week's episode of South Park, Shaun White Snowboarding ads are all you can expect to see (except, you know, crudely animated chastisement of all society's ills).
Tackle 'Target Mountain' in Shaun White Target edition
Pictured above is the Target Chalet [tar-zhay sha-ley], the swanky home of Winter X Games athletes doing business in Aspen and just one of many couture extras to be found in the special "Target edition" of Shaun White Snowboarding for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. This cozy lodge really hits the bright red bull's eye after a long day shredding slopes on -- you guessed it -- "Target Mountain."We're not sure how much more blaring product placement can get, but then we haven't seen the new jibs, scenes and characters exclusive to this brand, uh, edition of the game. While we don't expect the ads to hike up the price (indeed, the Target version should be cheaper, no?), the press release neglects to specify. But if you'd like to put five on it, you can now purchase a "pre-sell card" that ensures you a copy on launch day (also not specified).%Gallery-23905%
