Video Game News 4

Release date of Adidas MiCoach for PS3: Never :(

One of the game I was most looking forward to was Adidas MiCoach for the PS3. The release date was supposed to have been March 12, 2012. Then it was pushed back to March 31, 2012 on some site. And now, we get official word that the title has been cancelled.

The announcement came during THQ’s quarterly analyst call today. THQ announced it would focus once again on “hardcore gamers” versus casual gamers, likely a reaction to their disastrous marketing of their uDraw tablets, resulting in $33 million in losses. In only a few weeks, their stock price plummeted from around $1.75 to around $0.50 today.

It’s definitely a shame. The title was announced with a lot of fanfare, including celebrity endorsements from folks like Dwight Howard. It was exciting to hear that the Adidas MiCoach system would be integrated.

Hopefully another developer will pick up the slack (we’re talking to you, EA–are you working on EA Sports 3??) I think the market is still ripe for people who want to get a *real* exercise game that is both fun and provides great fitness.

 

 

4 Comments

  • Reply
    Daskreech
    Mar 06, 2012 5:09 pm

    Thought that you would find this interesting. http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/thq-facing-10-6-million-lawsuit-from-adidas/ It’s a harder situation for a non publisher, non developer getting involved since they don’t have very much recourse.

    • Reply
      steve
      Mar 06, 2012 6:57 pm

      Wow, thanks for the update, Daskreech. Considering the company’s entire worth is only $30 million at this point, that could be a fatal blow to them.

      The most telling part of the story is that THQ is allegedly refusing to turn over “publishing materials” to another developer of Adidas’ choosing. I can imagine a publisher like Majesco or even EA chomping at the bit to get access to a game that’s 50% done and selling it.

      It’s hard to make a judgement without knowing what the original terms of the contract were, but this one sounds like it’ll get messy. It sounds like Adidas has a case though: what would stop THQ from selling their rights over to a company like Zoo Games or D3 Publisher…?

  • Reply
    Daskreech
    Mar 13, 2012 10:05 am

    Nothing I suppose on the presumption of ownership given over by the contract initially. would be nice to see that come out at some point as it seemed to have a good premise but hopefully your theory that Move Fitness will come out after it isn’t true.
    Maybe they are taking the Critics to heart and revamping the game/exercises?

  • Reply
    Daskreech
    Mar 29, 2012 2:03 am

    Annnnd guess who is getting published? http://www.gamesta.com/thq-not-publishing-micoach-game-reached-settlement-with-adidas/

    Just so that Sony will have an excuse to release Move Fitness 🙂

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