Iwata’s full comments on amiibo sales, shortages
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
We launched a new product category – amiibo – simultaneously with “Super Smash Bros for Wii U,” and the end of the subject fiscal term marked a total shipment of approximately 10.5 million units worldwide. As we had shipped approximately 5.7 million units by the end of calendar year 2014, it is safe to say that we achieved very strong growth even in the period immediately after the year-end sales season was over. Our assessment is that people purchase additional amiibo figures without any seasonal bias, as they are relatively more affordable than video game titles.
Our consumers have been inconvenienced by stock shortages on some of the figures in our amiibo lineup. We have increased production for amiibo figures that have sold out very quickly after launch, that are indispensable to play a certain game and for which we have received strong demand from retailers and consumers. However, we are very sorry that we can?t promise at what point we will likely be able to resolve the current situation because figures such as these require a considerable amount of time to produce, store shelf space is limited and it is difficult to precisely predict the exact amount of overall demand.
On the other hand, the number of software titles compatible with amiibo is increasing and consumers’ recognition and understanding for amiibo has improved significantly compared to the launch period, so we believe that we can predict further sales growth.
This pie graph shows the most recent regional shipment breakdown of amiibo. The U.S. and Canada, shown in red in the graph, have an overwhelmingly large 66 percent share, showing a tremendous presence overall.
In addition to figure offerings in the amiibo lineup this year, we are planning to release Yarn Yoshi amiibo and card-type amiibo. The first software title that is compatible with these amiibo cards is “Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer,” which for Nintendo 3DS. Simultaneously, we will also launch the “Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer” so that not only the owners of New Nintendo 3DS, which is equipped with NFC functionality, but also the owners of the original Nintendo 3DS systems can play with amiibo. The NFC Reader/Writer enables consumers to play with amiibo on the original Nintendo 3DS systems, and we believe we can expect further growth in amiibo sales with this significant increase in the number of compatible hardware systems.
More: Amiibo, Satoru Iwata, top
Nintendo has more Wii U games to announce for this fiscal year
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 59 Comments
During Nintendo’s latest financial results briefing, CEO Satoru Iwata commented on what lies ahead for Wii U in terms of software. Iwata mentioned that, at last year’s E3, games were announced that make use of the GamePad such as Mario Maker. He also stated that there are more Wii U titles for this fiscal year that haven’t been announced yet.
More: Satoru Iwata, top
amiibo shipments up to 10.5 million worldwide
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Nintendo has shipped 10.5 million amiibo figures worldwide, president Satoru Iwata has confirmed. Iwata shared the news during today’s fiscal year financial results briefing.
66 percent of amiibo sales stem from the U.S. and Canada. Europe is next with 20 percent, followed by Japan at 11 percent and Australia at 3 percent.
Latest update on how much Nintendo has in the bank
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 7 Comments
Through Nintendo’s latest financial report, we have an update on how much cash Nintendo has in the bank, so to speak.
Nintendo’s “cash and deposits” sits at ¥534,706 million (or roughly $4.465 billion). Meanwhile, the company’s current assets amount to ¥1,097,597 million (roughly $9.168 billion).
These numbers are slightly down compared to Nintendo’s previous quarterly report. For the period ending December 31, Nintendo’s cash and deposits came in at $4.8 billion while total current assets were worth $10.2 billion. Nintendo also had ¥563,917 million in cash/deposits at the time. The decline can be partially attributed to the changing exchange rates between the yen and dollar.
Iwata shares a few words on Nintendo’s partnership with Universal for theme park attractions
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
Nintendo made a major announcement in conjunction with the release of its most recent fiscal results today. For those that missed out on the news, the company revealed a new partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts for the first theme park attractions based on Nintendo’s various properties. Nintendo is remaining coy on specific details for the time being, but president Satoru Iwata shared a few words at a press conference held in Japan earlier today.
He said:
There have been many requests to build a theme park with Nintendo characters. (Realizing that) requires assistance and know-how, so there were discussions with Universal in order to find a good partner.
Iwata also stated: “We want to create an opportunity where [a theme park visitor] wants to try playing the game.”
Japanese outlet Asahi, who passed along Iwata’s quotes, also obtained a comment from Nintendo’s PR manager. He said: “It’s possible we’ll create attractions together in Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka.”
More: Satoru Iwata, top
Takahashi on how Monolith Soft’s approach to development has changed since Xenogears
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 2 Comments
Nintendo put up a one-question interview with Monolith Soft’s Tetsuya Takahashi over on its Twitter account. It asks: “How has making games in the ‘Xeno’ series changed since the team first worked on Xenogears?” Take a look at the image above from Takahashi’s full response!
More: interview, Monolith Soft, Tetsuya Takahashi
Mario Kart producer in charge of Nintendo’s mobile game development
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 17 Comments
While announcing Nintendo’s latest financial results, president Satoru Iwata shared a brief update regarding the company’s mobile development plans.
Sankei reports that the producer of Mario Kart has been appointed to be in charge of mobile game development. “It should help you understand the level of commitment from Nintendo”, Iwata said.
A name isn’t specifically mentioned, but we assume the article is referring to Hideki Konno, who has been producing Mario Kart games since the DS entry. Konno was also the producer on Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart 8.
Sankei also mentions that today’s news shows how Nintendo intends to tackle mobile games with the same developers they use for console games.
Nintendo announced in March that it was teaming up with DeNA to create gaming apps for smartphone devices. The two sides are also working together a new membership service for Nintendo.
More: Hideki Konno, Satoru Iwata, top
Fan-made amiibo compatibility chart – version 4.2
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Images | 0 comments
Nintendo fan “moldyclay” latest amiibo compatibility chart has a couple of additions. There are a few minor updates, plus information about new Splatoon unlockables. View the full infographic aboe.
More: Amiibo
Capcom’s full-year revenue on the decline, but Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate performs well
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 6 Comments
Like Nintendo, Capcom reported its latest financial results for the full fiscal year today.
Capcom’s revenue decreased by 37.1 percent compared to the previous year. For the period ending March 31, the company brought in ¥64.3 billion ($538.4 million). That’s Capcom’s lowest yearly revenue figure since 2004 (¥52.7 billion).
There are a few bright spots. Capcom’s operating income rose 2.7 percent from the previous fiscal year while net income saw a boost by 92.1 percent to ¥6.6 million. Additionally, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate was cited as a success.
More: Capcom, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, sales
Nintendo partners with Universal for first theme park attractions based on Nintendo games/characters
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 15 Comments
Nintendo is teaming up with Universal Parks & Resorts to create the first “dedicated experiences based on Nintendo’s wildly popular games, characters and worlds,” the company announced today. This is said to be “a significant partnership for Nintendo as it expands the reach and popularity of its characters and intellectual property.”
Details beyond this have not been specifically shared at this time. Nintendo has only said that planned experiences “will include major attractions at Universal’s theme parks and will feature Nintendo’s most famous characters and games.” Additional information will be shared down the line as Nintendo and Universal’s creative teams work to create specific concepts.
Source: Nintendo PR
