Nintendo on the rise of digital sales, looking to increase the appeal of Switch Online
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo’s digital sales continue to be on the rise. President Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about the increase last week during a financial results conference call, providing further insight. Furukawa said new Switch owners may have previously turned to digital versions of games, and more recently, the popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a big factor.
As for Nintendo Switch Online, “memberships are increasing steadily with the expanding hardware install base beyond 15 million accounts”. Pokemon Sword and Shield as well as Animal Crossing: New Horizons contributed to the expansion. Furukawa also spoke generally about the service, stating: “By adding elements that make games even more fun to play and by increasing the appeal of the service itself, we hope to continuously grow this into a service that makes Nintendo Switch even more enjoyable and convenient for consumers to play.”
Here’s the full exchange regarding digital sales and Nintendo Switch Online:
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Nintendo “taking a flexible approach” with coronavirus situation, operating “under the premise that the effects will be long-term”
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
During a conference call held for Nintendo’s financial results, president Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about how the entertainment industry may change even after the coronavirus ends, and what strategies the company has in place.
The big takeaway is that Nintendo is “taking a flexible approach”, and is operating “under the premise that the effects will be long-term”. Furukawa gave one example by noting that “there have been cases where the marketing of products did not move forward as we had planned”. Nintendo ultimately can’t be constrained – whether it’s a change in work environment or different initiates.
Here’s the full exchange:
Pokemon: Twilight Wings – episode #5 delayed to June due to coronavirus
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
The fifth episode of Pokemon: Twilight Wings won’t be posted this month as originally expected. The Pokemon Company has announced that, due to the coronavirus, its release has been delayed. It will now debut on June 5.
After the fifth episode, Pokemon: Twilight Wings will be getting two more. It’s not yet known if the coronavirus will impact future releases.
Evo Online first details revealed
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Like many major gaming events, the plug was pulled on Evo 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In its place will be Evo Online, a different way for fans of fighting games to come together.
Five weekends of fighting games are planned. For the tournament’s original lineup, there will be “special exhibitions and content” – though Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been cut. Additionally, four open online tournaments will be held for Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, Killer Instinct, Them’s Fighting Herds, and Skullgirls 2nd Encore.
Here’s a promo video:
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Square Enix won’t hold online event to announce new games despite E3 cancellation
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
E3 2020 is undoubtedly the biggest gaming event of the year, especially when it comes to new announcements. But after the expo was cancelled due to the coronavirus, publishers were left scrambling and have been forced to reshuffle their plans. We’ve started to see some companies regroup with online events such as Ubisoft, but Square Enix won’t be included in that.
The company has confirmed that it won’t be hosting an online event to unveil upcoming releases for this year’s fiscal releases. Square Enix explained that making assets in time has become difficult because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Square Enix previously said it was “exploring other options” to share news about its games. It has now decided to announce new titles on an individual basis.
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Indie Live Expo announced, taking place in June
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Ryu’s Office has announced Indie Live Expo 2020, a program that is “set to deliver the latest information on both published and not-yet-published indie titles.” It will be live streamed on the major broadcast platforms such as YouTube and Twitch at the following times:
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Pokemon the Movie: Coco delayed in Japan due to coronavirus
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Pokemon the Movie: Coco was originally set to debut in Japan on July 10. But due to the coronavirus, its premiere has been pushed back to an unspecified date. The Pokemon Company apologized in today’s announcement.
Zarude, a new Mythical Pokemon, will be making one of its first major appearances in Pokemon the Movie: Coco. It will eventually be offered in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. You can learn more about the creature in our previous post here.
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Nintendo opens new hub for wallpapers
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo has a new hub on its website dedicated entirely to wallpapers. Fans can download images for over a dozen Switch games, including Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, Xenoblade, and more.
Here’s the full list:
Retro Studios still staffing up, adds Battlefield and Star Wars artist as VFX lead
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Switch | 0 comments
Retro Studios continues to staff up as the company develops Metroid Prime 4. It has added a number of VFX artists to its arsenal, including Adad Morales, who previously contributed to Battlefield Hardline and the cancelled Star Wars Ragtag project at EA’s now-shuttered Visceral studio. Morales is on board as Retro’s new VFX lead.
Another new hire is Bryan Erck, who worked on Shadow of the Tomb Raider as that game’s lead VFX artist. And after spending twelve years at Gearbox, Nicholas Wilson is now a senior VFX artist at Retro.
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Illumination artists working on Super Mario Bros. animated movie from home
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, most companies have their employees working from home. That includes Illumination, the studio behind the upcoming Super Mario Bros. animated movie.
Despite the change in work environment, Illumination is apparently very well equipped for the situation. All aspects of development, production, and marketing are being done remotely. Illumination has actually always been involved with remote work due to the daily collaboration of producers, artists, designs, editors, and more between their Paris and Santa Monica staff. A source told Deadline that the past two months have been “an extremely productive, innovative and creative time at the company.”
The Super Mario Bros. movie will arrive sometime in 2022. Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri are co-producing.
