As Nintendo Life covered pretty thoroughly today, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima has given what I believe is his first major Western interview with TIME Magazine (also, I realize that between this and the "Top 10 Games of 2015" thread, I've posted two topics about TIME in a row — I promise I do not work for them). I thought the discussion of Nintendo's future strategy was well worth a second look. Some key takeaways:
*Mobile games exist primarily to increase user interaction with Nintendo IP. IP engagement is a huge theme at Nintendo currently. Lots of emphasis on the new theme park throughout.
*Kimishima clarified that the Nintendo Account is basically the (much farther reaching) replacement for the Nintendo Network ID while My Nintendo is the replacement for Club Nintendo (the new rewards program). I know there had been a little confusion about that previously. Reconfirmed that you'll be able to gain points by buying and just playing games, and use them in lots of ways, such as at theme parks or to buy Nintendo merch.
*Admits that Miitomo wasn't well communicated. Nintendo plans on promoting Miitomo heavily (a practice not often done with mobile games, which often just "appear" on app stores). Nintendo Account will factor heavily into Miitomo.
*Wants to strengthen amiibo as an interactive item rather than just a collectible.
“With respect to Mr. Miyamoto and Mr. Takeda, really what we want to do with the whole fellowship position in the organization is to leverage all of that knowledge and all of that experience they have, to really look at the future of Nintendo, to bring that creative force into crafting and developing what we are going to be in the future. And I’m not talking about just the next year or two, but the future, and you can hear the capital ‘F’ there I think.”
*Iwata's Quality of Life initiative is still under development. Related to sleep and fatigue.
I can assure you we’re not building the next version of Wii or Wii U. It’s something unique and different. It’s something where we have to move away from those platforms in order to make it something that will appeal to our consumer base.
*Kimishima does not plan on being a one-year president: "I really want to say that all the initiatives I’ve discussed with you, these are on me, these are my responsibility and I have every intention of seeing these to fruition.”
Personally, I think his views on Nintendo's future are on-point. Leveraging IP, per Iwata's plan, is an extremely smart move to keep Nintendo relevant and profitable. I'm also a big fan of the Fellow positions being an almost curatorial role; it's really important that Nintendo maintains its core philosophies in light of an ever-changing market — it's what makes them unique. I'm glad that they seem dedicated to doing so. And though I was a fan of both, I'm also glad Nintendo is distancing itself from the Wii brand. It's time.
More than all that, though, this was my first real look at Kimishima the person. And I really enjoyed that. He seems to be carrying on Iwata's sense of humility, and even his laughter. I like how determined he seems, and how he doesn't seem the type to settle (his criticism of amiibo being a key point; those things are wildfire, and he talks about how they could be better). I know early news painted Kimishima to be the all-business "bank guy," but I found this to be a thoughtful, in-touch interview, and quite heartening. Looking forward to hearing more from Mr. Kimishima.
Forums
Topic: New Interview With Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima
Posts 1 to 1 of 1
This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.