Nintendo Prioritizes Innovation Over Big Budgets for New Switch
In a recent interview, Nintendo executives highlighted their skepticism towards large budgets in game development, emphasizing their focus on cultivating “new ideas.” This statement, made during an earnings briefing for the fiscal year ending March 2025, sheds light on Nintendo’s approach to the upcoming Switch successor.
Focusing on Innovation
The interview, which covered topics like the launch of Nintendo Music and the confirmation of backward compatibility for the Switch 2, saw executives like Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto address the rising development costs in the gaming industry. Miyamoto emphasized the importance of nurturing good ideas and refining games until developers are confident in their creation. He stated, “it is possible to create appealing products based on intriguing ideas, without incurring significant costs.”
Senior executive officer and corporate director Ko Shiota underscored the significance of an efficient development environment. Leveraging the familiarity of developers with the existing Nintendo Switch, Shiota stated their desire to “maintain a similar basis for development environments.” He concluded by stating, “I believe the most important thing for Nintendo is how we create new ideas. Bigger budgets do not necessarily equate to better ideas.”
Organic Growth and a Focus on New Ideas
Miyamoto further elaborated on Nintendo’s philosophy, stating that he doesn’t consider himself a genius. The company also clarified its preference for “organic expansion” over acquiring new companies.
While details about the Switch successor remain scarce, leaks suggest an announcement is expected within the next five months. Alleged images of the new console surfaced in September, hinting at a significant leap forward for Nintendo’s hardware.
With its commitment to innovation and efficient development, Nintendo continues to prioritize fresh ideas and creative solutions over large budgets, setting the stage for an intriguing future for the Switch and its successor.