Miyamoto: Searching for Nintendo’s Next Big Hit

Miyamoto

Nintendo has been in a bit of a bind lately, compared to the massive successes they’ve seen in the last few years. Wii sales are dropping off, the Wii U hasn’t generated the buzz that they wanted (they’re even considering a re-brand of the whole system), the 3DS was a certifiable flop in its early months and they are sustaining significant losses with each new quarter. There are a number of theories circulating about how Nintendo can right their massive misguided ship, but Nintendo has its own: Shigeru Miyamoto.

Several months back, there was a bit of miscommunication that made the Internet rounds about the famed developer retiring. However, it turned out that Miyamoto was actually going to be taking a step back from overseeing development teams to train younger staff. His other job? Idea-ating Nintendo’s next big hit. Here’s what he had to say on the matter in a recent Q and A session:

“I am acting with the understanding that one big hit title can change multiple phases of a situation in the entertainment business, and I feel that finding such one big hit is my basic job.”

It’s interesting to think that Nintendo is putting so much stock in finding that one big idea. It smacks of the way Hollywood thinks in a lot of ways, where studios will sink all their energy into finding that one box office smash year in and year out. The problem is, lightning doesn’t always strike like that, especially in a time where Nintendo might be finding themselves at a disadvantage when relating to core gamers.

We talked about this very topic for the upcoming podcast release, but I wanted to hear your thoughts on it, too. What do you think it means for Nintendo to use Miyamoto in such a way? Will it make a difference? Do you think the man that built Mario, Zelda, Nintendogs and Pikmin has one final swan song left within him? Go!

Source – SiliconEra

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I write about samurai girls and space marines. Writer for Smooth Few Films. Rooster Teeth Freelancer. Author of Red vs. Blue, The Ultimate Fan Guide, out NOW!

3 thoughts on “Miyamoto: Searching for Nintendo’s Next Big Hit”

  1. I think it’s interesting what Miyamoto’s doing. It seems like he’s trying to create new IPs altogether by fostering the development of the next generation of game designers. Mario, Zelda, and etc. are system sellers, but not as much so as back in the 90s. Miyamoto’s actively seeking out new ideas and designers instead of producing fun but familiar rehashings of its aged celebrities.

    I may hate on Nintendo, but Miyamoto is still a god in my eyes.

  2. If they re-thought the Wii U I would be so happy, right now, Im not sold on it in ANY aspect.

    As for this whole “big idea” issue, I think they are looking in the wrong place. If your system sucks, no one cares if you have that one big awesome exclusive title. Systems that have had great titles have pretty much also been strong in other areas, i.e. online play, expandability, availability of games..ect. Its not just that one game. I think they really just need to look at what they are doing and think about how they can re-develop the company so it can compete in todays market. Its sad to say, but gone are the days of the old childhood nintendo. Lots of the generation that made Nintendo what it is are growing up. That means change does need to happen. At one point, their systems were hi-tech stuff, on the frontline. Now they are always a step behind. I believe they need to rethink the core of their platforms before they go searching for a title.

    To me, they should rethink their target audience and how they can reach them and give them that wow factor. Motion control was cool, but it wasnt something that is going to stick with the majority of gaming masses. That doesnt mean you cant have it available for your system, just dont bank on it. If they want to succede again, I think they need to design for the top of the line, re-think how they develop their classic titles, and search for the next big idea/title. Im sure if they have a smash hit game, it will help them, but they need more that just the game itself. As for can they do it? Yes, we will just need to see a huge turnaround from a gaming giant.

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