Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Sales Disappointment Reflects Industry Pressure, Says Director Davide Soliani

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, the highly anticipated strategy crossover developed by Ubisoft exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, has been a focal point of discussion since its release in October 2022.

Helmed by creative director Davide Soliani, the game followed in the footsteps of 2017’s acclaimed Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, seeking to deliver another inventive blend of Nintendo and Ubisoft properties.

Despite its critical success and positive feedback from the gaming community, Sparks of Hope failed to meet Ubisoft’s internal sales targets, prompting candid remarks and reflection from the development team. In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Davide Soliani shared candid insights into the team's reaction to the news from Ubisoft headquarters regarding the game’s sales performance.

According to Soliani, the team had invested over three years of dedicated work into creating a compelling experience for Nintendo Switch players.

When Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot publicly remarked that the company should perhaps have waited for the successor to the Switch hardware, the announcement was particularly difficult for the development staff. "The feedback we received about the game's sales was disappointing for the team's morale," Soliani stated in the interview.

"After more than three years of hard work and full commitment to making a great game, it was not the kind of update anyone wanted to hear.

It was hurtful, though not overwhelming.

This is fairly typical in game development; every team wants to hear positive encouragement, especially after such a major project." Soliani further explained that any challenges to team morale were ultimately resolved through open internal discussions. The sales outcome for Sparks of Hope raises important questions about industry expectations, especially in the wake of its predecessor’s success.

Soliani reflected on the unique pressures faced during development, noting that the original Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle encountered little initial expectation, granting the creative team substantial freedom.

"When we created Kingdom Battle, there were few expectations and much creative liberty.

Because it was an unexpected success, the follow-up project became much harder due to increased scrutiny and higher expectations," he explained.

Despite these challenges, Soliani emphasized that his collaboration with Nintendo remained a deeply positive and inspiring experience. Following his tenure at Ubisoft, Davide Soliani has co-founded a new independent studio, Day 4 Night, alongside renowned composer Grant Kirkhope and industry veteran Christian Cantamessa.

While the studio’s next steps have not been officially announced, Soliani has expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Nintendo in the future, stating, "If Nintendo ever approaches us with a new project, we are absolutely ready to listen." Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is currently available on the Nintendo Switch via the eShop and retail outlets worldwide.

The series stands as a testament to cross-company innovation on Nintendo platforms, and industry observers will be keen to watch Day 4 Night’s evolution and potential partnerships in the years ahead.

Ubisoft Nintendo Mario Switch Sparks of Hope Davide Soliani Nintendo Switch