During Nintendo’s 83rd annual shareholders meeting, President and CEO Shuntaro Furukawa discussed the company’s plans for a seamless transition from the Switch to their upcoming but unannounced game console. Furukawa emphasized the importance of Nintendo Accounts in facilitating this generational shift.
Nintendo has previously acknowledged the significance of accounts in their future business strategies, as highlighted in a special report released at the end of 2021.
When asked by an investor about specific measures in place for the transition to a Switch successor, Furukawa acknowledged the challenge of transitioning customers from one console to another. He mentioned that in the past, the company had to rebuild its relationship with customers each time.
Furukawa highlighted that Nintendo Accounts, which have exceeded 290 million, are cross-platform and can be used for both console games and mobile apps. He concluded by assuring that Nintendo will strive to make the transition to their upcoming console as smooth as possible for customers.
Nintendo has been known for its delayed adoption of new technologies such as cloud saves and 4K gaming, and its online accounts have lagged behind. Unlike Microsoft and Sony, who have had persistent cross-generational accounts since the early 2000s, Nintendo has faced challenges in previous console transitions, like the complex process of transferring games from the Wii to the Wii U. It has been necessary for Nintendo to catch up for some time, and it’s encouraging to see that they are now recognizing this need.
story source: The Verge