Update: Change in plans for China – Nintendo experimenting with mobile games first before introducing console in emerging markets
Update (5/11): Bumped to the top. It’s unclear if this is anything different than what Bloomberg already reported, but we’re hearing that Nintendo has changed its plans to produce consoles for the Chinese market.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that Nintendo will not execute prior plan to manufacture consoles for the Chinese market.
— Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) May 11, 2015
Last year, we heard from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata about how the company planned on bringing completely new hardware to emerging markets in 2015. This was instead of selling cheaper versions of systems like the Wii U. Nintendo hasn’t given up on emerging markets, but its new device will be delayed in favor of experimenting in different countries with smartphone games.
Iwata mentioned during Nintendo’s financial results briefing this week that smartphone games will increase its chances for success in emerging markets. “Smart devices have lowered the barrier for people around the world to get to know our games and characters like Mario,” he said.
Iwata also confirmed that plans for emerging markets will be shared during a business strategy briefing later in the year.
Because of Nintendo stating that its pursuit of the mobile space will help double profit this fiscal year, the company’s shares rose the most in seven weeks. Bloomberg reports, “The stock rose as much as 9.5 percent as of 11:25 a.m. in Tokyo.”
