UFC publisher reveals first peripheral-specific title,
claiming it will have a "competitive advantage" by being "different
from anything else."
With more than 35 million people jamming on Guitar Hero's instrument
controllers, gamers are increasingly picking up game-specific
peripherals. That's allowing the companies that make custom
controller-based games to cash in big. For example,
Activision-Blizzard's rhythm franchise has earned over $2 billion to date. The company reported $981 million in net revenue for Q1 2009, nearly as much as competitor THQ's entire annual income last year.
However, it looks like THQ is planning to introduce a new game-specific peripheral of its own next year. Speaking with the Los Angeles Business Journal at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo,
THQ chief executive Brian Farrell said it is working on its first
controller-based game slated for release next year. "We have something
that we think is different from anything else out there and will give
us a competitive advantage," Farrell said. "Beyond that, we can’t say
much."
The development of THQ's controller-based game comes at a time
of significant corporate restructuring for the Agoura Hills,
California-based publisher. Last year, THQ vowed to push quality over quantity and halve the number of games it develops each year down to just one or two games annually for the hardcore market. With the recent trifurcation
of the company into three separate divisions, its new casual game
division promised to emulate peripheral technology showcased at this
year's E3, portending THQ's decision to develop its first
controller-based game.
"Gaming platforms such as the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft's
recently announced 'Project Natal' are changing the way families play
together and we are excited to develop gaming experiences that take
full advantage of these platforms," said Doug Clemmer, who heads THQ's
new casual games division.
For an example of another new controller-based game, check out
the video below of GameSpot's E3 stage demo of Activision's upcoming DJ
Hero title.
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