“Since the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1983,” begins the open letter to shareholders by company president, Satoru Iwata, “Nintendo has been offering the world unique and original entertainment products under the development concept of hardware and software integration.” After disappointing sales of their new generation console, the Wii U – cutting expected sales of their current home entertainment and hand-held system to 2.8 million and 13.5 million respectively by the end of the financial year – Iwata is remaining hopeful that the once-unstoppable games giant can turn things around.
The current Nintendo boss released this statement on the company’s website, saying they will continue in the console business and are expecting to produce new hardware and software over the next ten years that will aim to improve users’ quality of life. This turn for the business will mean less focus on game-exclusive products and a shift towards promoting healthy living. “What Nintendo will try to achieve in the next 10 years is a platform business that improves people’s QOL [quality of life] in enjoyable ways.”
Although it’s unclear at this stage, Iwata’s letter hints at the possibility of continuing business in hardware and software platforms similar to their Wii Fit series. Nintendo’s motto states that ‘The True Value of Entertainment Lies in Individuality”, which is something the company is looking to focus more on in future as they alter their business acumen to more health-oriented products. The games behemoth has been around for over 125 years, moving from playing cards to a toy company and finally ending in the video games industry. This shift should not be that much of a surprise then, as Nintendo is always about innovation and providing “products and services which pleasantly surprise people.”
Nintendo also recently announced they will be shutting down their WiFi service for the DS and original Wii console by May 20th of this year. However, these shutdowns will not affect the Wii U or 3DS connectivity services.