Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Raises Stake In Nintendo To 6%

Although it is astounding to see just how invested the Saudi's are in several industries, I wonder just how "worried" we need to be about them having an increasing stake in Nintendo, in terms of them having any influence on what types of products/games Nintendo produces.

@Pillowpants i don't think they would have much influence. I hope not anyway.

I think this is a general diversifying of their wealth portfolio from oil into other areas rather than anything more insidious. Again - I hope that's the case.

@Pillowpants : Of all that could negatively influence Nintendo's products/games, I'm far more concerned about influences from the West than from some Saudi investor(s).

@Hypocrisy-Detector : The United States aren't exactly lauded for their human rights record either, but for some reason, the same scrutiny doesn't seem to apply to "the good guys"™.

I don't care to express where I stand on the topic as it's completely out of place on a gaming website. It's just the unnecessary and divisive grandstanding partisanship that is so irksome. Just report whatever there is to report and get on with it.

@Sisilly_G I would have said the exact same if any other shareholder would get such a large stake in the company to the point where they could start demanding things from Nintendo. It's not something I'm bringing up specifically because they are from Saudi Arabia.

@Sisilly_G I agree this isn't the place, but just so we are all crystal clear... everyone, everywhere can do better when it comes to human rights.

However, stoning people to death for who they choose to love puts Saudi Arabia significantly lower than almost every other place on Earth.

@Sisilly_G ignoring it is not as neutral as you think...

@Pillowpants : Sure. But I can't see them interfering in any case. I guess we could see something similar to the Chinese Rabbids game that was later localised for international release (such as Arab-exclusive games or those that may be more accommodating for such audiences), but with respect to interfering with Nintendo's projects across the board? I can't see investors making the foolish mistake of messing with Nintendo's current success.

It's a business opportunity, much like Saudis attempting to secure Cristiano Ronaldo for their national football team, despite his domestic arrangements being inconsistent with local values/customs (and we often see locals turning a blind eye to the actions of foreigners so as to not cause diplomatic disharmony).

I'm just wondering how long it will be before this comment section gets closed...

Don’t use this thumbnail unless it’s a Direct, damnit!

Not sure this sits well with Nintendo's image. Kudos for reporting it and the related human rights issues raised by Amnesty.

Well seems like the Saudi really see some importance with Nintendo. Now the Saudi is looking to buy a stake in WWE too, that's why most people on Twitter were concern the last few days due to the sudden return of Vince McMahon, the resignation of Stephanie McMahon and the rumor that Saudi Arabia may be one of the share holder interested in buying a stake in the WWE.

Hopefully it stays at that or get smaller. They ever get as much of a stake in it as they've got in SNK, or like rumors are saying they do in WWE, and I'm fully prepared to cut Nintendo out of my life.

All twelve of my uncles have confirmed this is part of an extremely long plan to get Oil Man removed from Mega Man VI, but no one wants to tell these guys Nintendo doesn't own it.

@Sisilly_G sadly that's true. America's obsession with race and LGBT is rampant enough that other countries now mention it about us like an identifier. Recently ign asked team behind new final fantasy about if they were worried since they didn't have enough diverse main characters to which I thought their response was awesome. Simply saying they knew the questioned would be asked cause our obsession with the case, but they think diversity comes from your character not what you look like.

On topic of PIF, they are supposed buy WWE as well so interesting to see two moved in conjunction.

So long gay Bowser!

@Thoughts are we going to address the us's human rights abuses? what about japan? why only bring up this topic when saudi is brought up?

F*ck this money.

For those worried that the Saudi Government has 6% stake in Nintendo... don't. 6% is such a negligible amount to consider any of their politics to appear in game. This seems more like a portfolio investment so that way they have money stashed away in other industries with the world's increased independence from oil their economy will suffer hard in the coming decades if they don't.

@Sisilly_G When you compare the US's track record to the House of Saud... its not really comparable. Yes the US has done terrible things, but they are FAR from the worst government.

This is upsetting. I really don't want to have the thought in the back of my head that buying any products from Nintendo means that they are getting even a penny of my money. I'd rather not feel that, regardless of how little it is, I'm contributing in any way.

While the Saudi government commits violent acts against certain people groups and persecutes them unjustly. I am way less worried about them having any sort of negative effect on Nintendo than I am worried about the evils of US corporations who are involved in the stock exchange wanting to influence Nintendo negatively. The Sauds just wanna have a backup for when their oil is not that highly sought after anymore.

Game journalists take note...any 7.5 or lower review of a Nintendo game results in immediate decapitation.

@Thaswizz You say it like there is no issue, but when gay clubs are still a common target for mass shootings, and as long as certain demographics are still marginalised through various means, you cannot deny that there are still deeply rooted issues.

You can question the means, and whether (forced) diversity in media is a way to solve it. But at least there is a reason as to why it happens.

@WiiHawk Is that not already in practice? I've never seen a Nintendo game get less than that on here haha.

If anyone will see a half moon symbol on link's shield don't be surprised...

Dreadful. It’s very easy for people to write off but this is a country in which I would be executed. No ifs or buts, they would kill me. You can’t just ignore that.

@nessisonett I am actually very positively surprised how many people here openly, yet respectfully, voice their opinions on that matter. Sure there is some whataboutism, but most people seem to have noticed that something is very, very wrong with some countries.

I hope it doesn't rise any more because I don't like the idea of a country with such closed minded views having a majority stake.
They'd censor everything to fit them.

Never criticise America or Israel. Oh sorry wrong article

Blood money. Absolutely disgusting and indefensible.

Diversification of their investments. They believe in the stability of Nintendo in the future. Good.

@Octane Yes pushing LGBT on our kids and in every faucet of entertainment is how we get those mass shootings to stop. Very mature thinking.

@Thoughts In this case it runs really deep. The government has the support of many citizens who desperately don't want to leave middle ages. It's a social issue as well. I've been watching some channel loosely connected with the issues at hand and let me tell you, most of the ideas and opinions voiced in videos and comments make the hair stand on the back of my neck.

Oh no, an entire percent 😱

Do I wish this was the case? NO
Do I wish SA had a more 21st century approach to rights? YES
Am I worried about thi? NO (at this time).

@Sisilly_G The fact that this comment has gotten so many likes is concerning.

I’m happy for my country 👏🏽🇸🇦💚

@Thoughts Yes, we can talk about Saudi Arabia human rights records. However, if you’re from a county that literary nuked other countries or enslaved other countries or even destroyed whole countries. Then don’t talk about Saudi Arabia because that would be considered “Hypocrisy” and form of discrimination aka racism, both are not good. If that’s the case the best thing for you is to just not bring politics to a video games news site and just enjoy the video game news.

Gross. They outright buy golf with their blood money, now Nintendo is accepting it as well. Disgusting.

@Thoughts Cracks me up there's a page long disclaimer anytime Potter and JK Rowling are mentioned, but nothing here when it's a discussion that actually matters, like ya know slaving people to death, and not one human out of 8 billions personal opinions.

@Jolmood I wouldn't bring slavery into a discussion defending Saudi, dude

@Jacket_p I don’t prefer bringing that up. But if someone wanna talk about my country human rights records. Then they should be aware of their own country human rights record. Criticizing the other side without knowing what your side did throughout history is just plain hypocrisy and racism.

@Jolmood It's not a personal attack on you - people are free to point out these things while being only aware of the failings of the country they live in to. It's cool to be proud of your country and, to be fair, they've made my local football team one of the richest in the world! But it's also fine for people to feel uncomfortable with that and it not be racism or prejudice. I get where you coming from. It is easy to be defensive of your country. We're all tend to do it.

Anyway - enough of this! Like you I'm not on here to talk politics or get into deep philosophical discussions

@Tasuki Bet you never thought you’d miss Vince.

"Arabian NEEEES! Like Arabian Wiiiii!"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Aren't they just buying publicly traded stocks?
Nintendo has no say on who buys their stock afaik.

They’re investing too much in other countries stuff. It’s getting kind of scary. They need to be limited. Now they’re trying to buy wwe.

@Thaswizz Strawman argument, those are your words, not mine.

No you turned my statement into something about mass shootings which it had nothing to do with. Fact is people like you are hypocritical and only argue for virtue signaling. You probably don't even know anyone gay because most normal people who are gay or lesbian even agree that they are pushing this agenda to hard.

Yet people like you agree and fight for it because your told it's what's right and lack the intellect to think for yourself.

@Jamessmooth : You'll have to forgive me for not thinking as you do and not engaging in a futile attempt to shape my worldview around pleasing and impressing absolutely everybody.

Conformity was never my strength anyway.

I will admit that I am no fan of Saudi Arabia (and I say this as a Muslim), particularly in respect to how the ruling class exert themselves upon their citizens, but I am also gravely concerned about the extremes that are being taken in the West to our collective detriment. In many respects, we are fast regressing to what has destroyed civilisations in the past.

But I think I have digressed enough.

Enough small stakes in numerous co.s creates a financial safety net that can be used flexibly. The only limitations (on use of those finances) would be international, and individual country laws, as well as the invested co.s' particular legalities about use of profits, and limitations as well.

Just hope they won't cover Bayonetta