Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata’s Q&A from the most recent Nintendo investor’s meeting has been fully translated, and along with it, we now know some more issues the CEO has addressed. Interestingly, to make a point about games, he brought up Minecraft.
Iwata was asked about plans to change the company’s marketing strategy, and the CEO shared a multi-pronged answer. Part of this was pointing out how Nintendo’s games received high critical acclaim, but this did not necessarily lead into sales for many of these games. (He may also be alluding to games from competitors, such as Watch Dogs and Destiny, which received mixed to poor critical reception, but did very well in terms of sales).
On the software developer side, Iwata says he does not think their devs should look to the marketing department, but instead try to improve their own games. Specifically, he wants Nintendo to make games that sell themselves. In his own words, these games:
· can be communicated to consumers at a glance
· can be explained to others in a way that is easy to understand
· it is easy to invite other people to play the game
And this is where he brings up Minecraft. Iwata’s take on Notch’s unexpected hit is that it is a game that a lot of people are playing around the world, it has continued to engage people because of the constant creation of user generated content, and players keep inviting their friends to play.
Iwata also cites Monster Hunter Ultimate 4, and attributes its success partly to its use of wireless multiplayer local play. Iwata plans to make these changes while keeping to limited budgets, and marketing that successfully to consumers.
Do you agree with Iwata’s interpretation of what has made Minecraft successful? What lessons do you think Nintendo should take from the breakout hit? Share your thoughts with us in the comments,
