Nintendo’s President Shuntaro Furukawa announced that the sales momentum of the Nintendo Switch console is still strong, despite a 60% drop in the company’s first half profit. He also confirmed the development of a successor to the Switch, ensuring that all current game software will be playable on the new console. Furukawa emphasized that Nintendo is not limiting itself to the concept of a console’s “life cycle” and is investing in various sectors including hardware and software development, movies, merchandising, amusement parks, and music.
In an effort to boost sales, Nintendo is working on a sequel to the Mario movie which was released last year and planning a Zelda movie for the future. Movies have been shown to positively impact game and console sales, and the absence of a movie release this year was cited as a reason for the decline in sales. Additionally, the company is expanding its theme park Super Nintendo World to Orlando and Singapore, with locations already open in Japan and Los Angeles. The opening of official stores, including a new one in San Francisco next year, also contributes to engaging and expanding the Nintendo fan base.
With more than 100 million people around the world playing the Switch, Nintendo continues to attract players of all ages. The company’s shares have seen a 3.3% increase by midday on Wednesday, reflecting investor confidence in Nintendo’s future plans and developments. Furukawa highlighted the importance of keeping players engaged with the rich lineup of games currently available and the company’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition to the next Switch console for existing players. Nintendo’s efforts in diversifying its offerings beyond just gaming, including movies and theme parks, demonstrate its commitment to expanding its reach and engaging with fans globally.
