When I was at the D.I.C.E Summit earlier this month, I went around asking people’s opinions on things like the Steambox, Ouya, Nvidia’s Shield, and Wii U.  What struck me was how many developers told me games were being cancelled left and right for Wii U.  For example, EA had a big multi-console project and they cancelled the Wii U version.  I must’ve heard from at least eight different developers who claimed to have a Wii U version in development, and they ended up cancelling it.

The most interesting discussion was speaking with an employee for a studio that makes games for Activision.  The general consensus seems to be that Activision has been completely soured by software sales for Wii U version of Call of Duty Black Ops 2.  But Activision will still be supporting the Wii U regardless.

The Activision employee (who doesn’t represent the opinions/views of everyone at Activision) told me the following:

“Activision didn’t expect much from Wii U sales of Black Ops 2, but they sure didn’t expect it to be that abysmal.  Activision gave Wii U owners the best version of Blops 2 with Off TV features, and Nintendo fans didn’t support it.  It’s easy for Nintendo fans to trash publishers for not giving them ports, but publishers have wisened up.  They realize Nintendo fans are all talk.  Nintendo fans are vocal with their mouths, but when it’s time to open their wallets, they’ll spend that $60 on New Super Mario Bros instead.”

When I asked him about what his industry friends at other publishers think of the Wii U, he told me the following:

“There’s just no enthusiasm for it.  The only reason publishers are still going to bring games to Wii U is because they don’t want to damage their relationship with Nintendo.”

This seems like the trend with most 3rd party publishers these days (aside from Ubisoft and a few others.)

I’ll be at Pax East and GDC to talk with developers and see if opinions on the console are a lot more positive.