With Nintendo seeing the possibility of its handheld market share diminish, market analysis advising lowering prices, and of course this year’s fiscal statement, it is all too evident that Nintendo needs to launch an offensive to ensure their dominant corner of the gaming world. President of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata has acknowledged this fact, and though Nintendo marked their books in black this year, there is concern that a trend could be forming.
Although this is a direct contradiction to Reggie Fils-Aime’s statements on the situation with Apple, it seems Mr. Iwata has spoken with the executive staff, and has made firm the intention that the iPhone and iPad are the “enemy of the future.” In a Times Online article, it would appear that “Sources close to the Kyoto-based company describe a mood of concern as the hardware and software divisions race to restore the capacity to ‘surprise’ — a traditional feature of Nintendo games that Mr. Iwata holds dear.”
Nintendo as of late has been focusing on the entire family, and with strong sales with the Wii, the DSi and blockbuster titles such as Super Mario Galaxy, it seems as if the well is drying up. With Wii sales down 21% in the year to March 31, and with fewer major titles coming out, Nintendo has a tough pill to swallow against the rising tide of Apple and their iPhone/iPad/iTouch juggernaut.
1 Comments
May 7, 2010
Iwata-san sounds much more sensible than Reggie does. Acknowledging reality and saying you're planning to deal with it is much more reassuring than PR happy talk. Of course, the proof is in the pudding... Nintendo should plan to open their kimono a bit and tell everyone some details about how they will strike back.