Sega exec drops spring-summer 2012 release timeline for Wii U

Sega EVP of marketing Alan Pritchard has dropped a super strong hint as to when we'll see Wii U, saying it's due to launch next spring or summer.

The slip came in an E3 interview with GameSpot when asked if Sonic Generations was coming to the platform. By the by, chances on that are slim.

"The timing just doesn't work," Pritchard said.

"Generations releases this November, and the Wii U is coming out next spring/summer. I think one of the things we don't have to do, or reduce where possible, is we don't want to port games. I think if there's going to be a Sonic game for the Wii U, it needs to be built from the ground up.

"It's more likely that it would be a separate stand-alone installment or in conjunction with a multiplatform release in the future. But to bring out Generations on a platform six or eight months after we release PS3, 360, and 3DS probably won't be the best strategy."

Nintendo has only confirmed a 2012 launch so far to date for Wii U, which was long announced before its first showing at E3 last week.

Sega also announced last week that Aliens: Colonial Marines from Gearbox would be on Wii U.