Nintendo Chief Gives Bold Take on Changing Their DNA To Rival Microsoft and Sony

Nintendo has started 2022 with a bang. The Japanese video game giant closed 2021 with Nintendo Switch topping the lifetime sales of both the Wii and PS1. As of December 2021, Switch has sold 103.54 million units, becoming the top-selling console of 2021. With the momentum they’ve gained, fans have wondered if the recent acquisition race triggered between Microsoft and Sony would make its way to Nintendo’s doors.

But a tweet by a twitter user Nibellion quoting president Shuntaro Furukawa might give people the best insight into Nintendo’s roadmap for the future.

Nintendo does not oppose acquisitions if necessary

Some believed that Nintendo would come under pressure from its investors, hence breaking previous acquisition patterns. But Nintendo president Furukawa has dispelled those notions. According to reporting by Bloomberg, Furukawa said:

“Our brand was built upon products crafted with dedication by our employees, and having a large number of people who don’t posses Nintendo DNA in our group would not be a plus to the company”

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Historically, Nintendo has not been aggressive regarding the acquisition of successful game studios in order to grow its business. Instead, it maintains close ties with several external studios that it works alongside to develop its titles. Nintendo’s most recent acquisition occurred in 2021, when it purchased Next Level Games, makers of “Luigi’s Mansion 3”. But in a statement by Nintendo, they revealed, “A number of owner-directors [of Next Level] recently determined that the time is right for them to sell their shares.”

Ultimately, it was not purely a case of Nintendo pushing a more aggressive expansion strategy, but wanting to keep close ties with the developer. The company also owns Monolith Soft and Retro Studios, but both acquisitions took place over a decade ago. Moreover, compared to the behemoth $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie by Sony, Retro Studios only cost Nintendo a mere $1 million.

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About Nintendo’s plans regarding 2022, Furukawa revealed that the company plans to invest 100 billion yen to bolster its game development arsenal. Nintendo isn’t planning on changing its investment policy; however, the company isn’t against acquisitions if they deem it necessary.

With major titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild and many more expected to drop in 2022, Nintendo has a packed year ahead. Fans would have the last say on whether the familiar Nintendo DNA works its magic yet again.
Which release are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comments below!