Screen Digest: Wii tops other consoles in original IP

by JC Fletcher { Aug 28th 2008 at 8:55AM }

This isn't something we hear often: according to a Screen Digest report, the Wii has more exclusive original IP than the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. The report says the Wii has more than twice the number of games based on original IP than the PS3 and one third more than the Xbox 360. "Wii's unique interface and market-leading hardware sales rates have convinced publishers to deepen support levels for the platform," Screen Digest said. "Cheap development costs have also enabled a number of smaller publishers."

And before you rush to the comments form, we'll say it for you. Yes, a lot of that original IP is terrible and/or "shovelware." So what? Some of it may be junk, but some of it is No More Heroes or Monster Lab or Madworld or Little King's Story. Of course, all this new content could end up being a problem for the Wii market: Screen Digest suggests that the Wii could end up being "the most competitive and congested" of the consoles. Oh no, too many games!

Tags: ip, third-party

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Brian @ Aug 28th 2008 9:13AM

Yes, I always thought the Wii had the most exclusive original Internet Protocol.

RPG! @ Aug 28th 2008 9:45AM

Yeah, I'm sorry but the first thing I thought of when I hear "Wii" and "original IP" was "shovelware." I haven't bought a game since Umbrella Chronicles which is really sad... I may have spent enough to buy a new game renting stuff at Blockbuster by now (not including free rentals). Playing the hell out of GTA4 and SCIV right now on PS3 and looking forward to Castlevania on DS but other than The Conduit, there isn't anything on my Wii Radar...

Worried...

guttertalk @ Aug 28th 2008 10:09AM

I've still playing a number of Wii titles, mainly because I don't get to play for more than an hour or two.

But as I was looking for good upcoming multiplayer games (especially ones for more than just 2 players), the landscape is very barren for a while, although Call of Duty: World at War is coming soon.

I know the core games are coming, but I think they need to be sure there are good core multiplayer games coming. (And I'm not talking about another game with the Nintendo characters, which I'm kinda tired of after even just Kart and SSBB.)

Sisyphus @ Aug 28th 2008 11:09AM

I had a lot of fun playing Marvel: Ultimate Alliance with my brother. It has good MP, if you're into that style of game. Very decent length and character development.

ejamer @ Aug 28th 2008 9:57AM

In case nobody else answers first, IP = Intellectual Property. Basically, Wii has more new content and fewer sequels.

il_duce620 @ Aug 28th 2008 10:16AM

While I'm happy with news like this, I guess the remaining question for me is: how many distinct developers (or publishers) are releasing for the console?

I think it would be very interesting to pars that out, knowing whether the low cost of development for the Wii is driving more Indie development and releases, or if there are just more developers taking risks with new IPs on a system that's cheaper to make/release a game for. This information would probably be most useful for "developers" rather than "publishers," as Activision, EA and Nintendo would just eat up all the data!

Know what I mean?

magicmoo @ Aug 28th 2008 10:18AM

I doubt those stats include games released on the XBLA and PSN. A lot of Wii games rank up along the same level of these quality wise (or even much lower in case of those awful shovelwares).

If you take this into account, I don't think there's a big difference between the 3 gaming platforms.

Xoviet chiK @ Aug 28th 2008 11:06AM

What really matters is that every console has a great helping of original IPs, both exclusive and multiplatform. Of course Wii has the most when "...a lot of that original IP is terrible and/or 'shovelware.'"

Who cares who has the most, especially after a statement like that.

Bill @ Aug 28th 2008 11:39AM

Help a n00b out. What does IP mean in this case? It's not really Internet Protocol, right?

Is it independent programmer?

guttertalk @ Aug 28th 2008 9:59AM

IP == Intellectual Property

I don't think this is really surprising news: it's been clear that the 360 and PS3 have not only been getting a lot of series games but have also been getting common games with fewer exclusive titles.

This is what the DS has been enjoying as well, which is one reason I bought a DS: I figured that, as the DS with its different interface, the Wii and its controls would draw in new or exclusive titles.

Jeffy @ Aug 28th 2008 10:09AM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's been reading "IP" on many blogs without them giving its meaning. I thought I missed something somewhere

Mr Khan @ Aug 28th 2008 12:02PM

The low cost of entry is both a help and a hindrance

MetalGearsOfSolidWar @ Aug 28th 2008 4:30PM

Most of these Wii exclusive games are pure bullshit. I doubt they'll be a Carnival Games or Dragon Blade on PS360. Developers rush stupid games out for Wii and kids. If the game isn't made by Nintendo or Capcom then it sucks.

Wii may have more exclusives, but my 85% of them are random stupid childish games adults will buy for their kids.

Now PS360 may have a little less exclusives, but at least they have better exclusives.