16:09 UK publisher and developer Codemasters has no immediate plans to release software on GameCube, preferring to focus on PC and other next-gen formats. It's believed this position boils down to a simple questions of numbers, although the company will not say anything officially to this effect.
A spokesperson told us: "While we have nothing currently in development for GameCube we will continue to assess the viability of releasing versions of our games on Nintendo's console." We say: don't hold your breath.
Looking at the bigger picture, this must make worrying reading for Nintendo, and don't be surprised if this trend continues with other publishers. Industry insiders are already pointing to massive companies like EA and Activision slowly backing away from GameCube development, with one source telling us: "EA is definitely scaling back on GameCube development - and they've sold almost twice as many units of Xbox games than GameCube games."
It's certainly no secret that GameCube-specific versions of the big franchises have been performing less well in relation to PS2 and, more worryingly, Xbox versions. And with GC hardware sales falling worldwide, alarm bells are beginning to sound as far as third-party development is concerned.
Nintendo, of course, has an exceptionally strong first-party line up, but if Codemasters' position is mirrored by other third-party publishers, expect more than a few nervous glances at Nintendo HQ.
In other Codemasters news, the company has announced it is to attend this year's Games Developers Conference, to be held in California from March 4-8, with the aim of signing "five A to triple-A game titles." The company sees GDC as the perfect opportunity to do business and is focusing on "US-centric games" on all formats.
We'll keep you posted on all developments.
