Top Ten Reasons Why Delaying Rayman Legends Was a Terrible Decision

Matthew T from Negative World writes: "Virtual Boy. Cel-shaded Zelda. 7.9. There've been some shocking reveals and ruffled feathers in Nintendo's past for sure, but I'd argue that none have been as widely-despised as Ubisoft's recent decision to push back Rayman Legends' release date to September. I'd use the word "controversial" here, but that would imply that people have a variety of opinions on the subject...which frankly, isn't really the case outside of some (read: not most) Ubisoft employees.

So let's get down to it, then--the top ten reasons why delaying Rayman Legends was a terrible decision!"

[PopRocks359]

"But! But! You're all just Nintendo crybaby fanboys!

Oh by the way, Nintendo sucks for exclusively publishing Bayonetta 2."

In all seriousness, everything on this list does indeed make it pretty bad. I've seen people who don't give a damn about the Wii U who sympathize with, not only people who bought the console, but with the developers and having their work getting shafted that way.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's a scumbag move. Treating your devs AND your consumers this way is not acceptable.

[NukaCola]

Ubi should of launched it on the Wii U now and then on other consoles later. September is when GTA V comes out, Killzone Mercenary, Oddworld Abe's Oddysee HD etc and a slew of reveals after E3. Who knows, most possibly the PS4 and next Xbox by Oct/Nov. This game will get buried in next gen news and releases. Better choice would of been to release it now on Wii U and then release it digitally when it can work on XBL/PSN.

[Fierce Musashi]

Yeah..... What were they thinking releasing it in September? Not only do they have to develop it for the other platforms, they may have to spend MORE money just for advertising just to try and complete in that month compare to if they have had released earlier.

I don't know.......

[animegamingnerd]

also the fact GTA 5 is coming out the same month which means unless if the wii u doesn't get GTA 5 then that version of rayman legends will be the only one that will sale if it's lucky enough that is

[amaguli]

I understand why Wii U owners are very angry at Ubisoft for this massive delay, but it is not all their fault. With just a little business sense, you guys would understand that it has to do with Microsft.

Here, I even found the excerpt from Microsoft's Content Submission and Release Policy for you guys:
Titles for Xbox 360 must ship at least simultaneously with other video game platform, and must have at least feature and content parity on-disc with the other video game platform versions in all regions where the title is available. If these conditions are not met, Microsoft reserves the right to not allow the content to be released on Xbox 360.

While Ubisoft shares some of the blame for making Rayman Legends a multi-console release instead of an exclusive, they are restricted by Microsoft's rigid policy.

[ziggurcat]

it amazes me when people disagree with fact...

[BootHammer]

If the legal issue with Microsoft is the actual reason behind this, how in the world did Nintendo and the Rayman Team plan on releasing it as a killer exclusive for the Wii U in the first place? Would this not have come up long before all the marketing went in to effect for this title?

Not saying you're incorrect but how did they overlook something this huge?

[amaguli]

I think Ubisoft made this decision after they got the sales numbers from ZombiU and Assassin's Creed III. It is no secret that those two games failed to light it up for the Wii U, so they probably thought it was best to make it multi-platform.

They probably don't have the budget to make an exclusive character or stage for the PS3 and Xbox versions, similar to what Team Ninja is doing for Razor's Edge. I don't know for sure though, and I highly doubt Ubisoft would answer that question.

[Fierce Musashi]

That's incredible. With that in consideration, making it multiplatform probably would have been a better decision to make much, much early on rather than near last second.

For the sake of the game, I hope they know what they are doing.

[Kevlar009]

They reserve the 'right', not that they will no matter what. Besides, a press release by Ubi said they make exceptions to this kind of stuff, but only on "special occasions". [I don't have the reference specifically, it was back on a site last week].

What Ubi could have done, was hold back on negotiations for multiplat, release Rayman for WiiU, then make final commitments to multiplat. MS can't yank the game from thousands of stores and homes. Probably easier said than done, but there are ways this could have been avoided.

It sucks consumers and the Developer had to get shafted by this, there was quite a bit of potential and anticipation for its release this month.

[juandren]

It's not like most Xbox 360 owners would appreciate this kind of game in any case. I say screw it, one-up Microsoft and just release the damn game. Its sales will struggle much more if it releases in September. All publishers know to stay the hell away from a GTA lauch month. Amazing how much fear one game strikes into the heart of all its competition.

On top of that, Ubisoft will be lending a massive helping hand to Nintendo

[wheresmymonkey]

Really. SO how do you explain Ninja Gaiden 3 - Razors edge then. Coming out several months after the wiiu version on... the xbox 360.

[amaguli]

Great point. After re-reading the press release, the PS3 and 360 version of Razor's Edge is going to include 25 challenge missions and new costumes for the characters that are not on the Wii U version.

These changes may seem little, but it is more than enough to satisfy Microsoft's "standard" because it has all new content.

Now, Team Ninja did say that there is a possibility that the new content will come to the Wii U at a later date, but timed exclusives also satisfy Microsoft's dumb policy.

[chrispseuphoria]

I'm fed up with these articles. Rayman Legends is going to be delayed and Nintendo fans are annoyed. Okay. We get it. Move on and look forward to the incredible lineup of games ahead of you. New 3D Mario, New Smash Bros, Zelda Windwaker HD, a new Zelda and "X."

This delay just means that you are going to have a kickass fall season for the Wii U!

[Nodoze]

I say Ubisoft play hardball with MS. What is MS going to do?? I mean really? If MS delays or denies the game they are just going to piss off their own userbase. Ubisoft can make an announcement that MS is the reason why the game is not on their platform, and advise that it is available on both WiiU and PS3.

I am sure that MS, with an upcoming console, will not want to risk the bad PR.

Take em to task Ubi and stand up for publishers rights. Don't let some ridiculous rules that MS dictates delay you from doing what is right.

I mean MS would be NOTHING without 3rd party support. NOTHING.