Nintendo Minute: Volume 3 - Aiming for the mature market

This week's question: Nintendo is oftentimes viewed as a kid-centric company by today's gamers. How will it appeal itself to the adult gamer in 2005 and beyond?

Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America: To say that Nintendo is centered on producing games for kids is a complete misconception. We're centered on creating fun experiences for everyone. I can understand that you -- a hard-core, male, mid-20s gamer -- want to see Nintendo position itself and its products slightly differently than we tend to. And believe me, we understand. If Matt Casamassina were running the company, there would be roughly one exclusive Resident Evil title released per month.

But Nintendo can't become focused on strictly "adult gamers" just the same way we'll never become kid-centric. We need to hit everyone, and we're proud of our strong brands and creative development teams that are able to craft such a wide range of titles.

Will Nintendo ever stop creating titles that both kids and adults can enjoy? Not likely. Games like the Mario Party franchise give parents a fun reason to spend time with their kids on a Friday night. And they're great party games for teens. These titles may not appeal to some hardcore gamers, but they're very important for our business.

But are we also continuing to spend equal attention on the needs of the older and hardcore gamers in the audience? Of course. Here's what we need hardcore gamers -- you, IGN, and your readers -- to understand. We love you guys and girls. You are the backbone of our company. Nintendo will always create epic adventures that drive your reflexes wild. We're talking about titles like Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and the upcoming Legend of Zelda for GameCube that keep you up all night mapping out strategy guides and trading secrets with friends. Yes, Nintendo has older and more hardcore gamers at its heart, and that is never going away.

As for 2005, I think you are already familiar with our announced software line-up for 2005 including games such as The Legend of Zelda for GameCube. There are a few other tricks up our sleeves of course for 2005 (we are Nintendo, after all). But for the next couple of months at least, you'll just have to wait patiently until we're ready to reveal how Nintendo plans to entertain future gamers -- both young and old -- in the coming years.

Source: IGN Cube (http://cube.ign.com/articles/585/585364p1.html)

Thoughts? Comments?

I think he is right.


Crap.... about MArio Party.... thats used in college drinking games, by parents / kids, and many others.
Its crazy! 

I think Nintendo does a good job of covering everything. Although I know others won't agree with me.

†B†V† :hat

I always assumed that was there reason: that they want to hit all age groups. I remember when the NES was out, and it was a family system. I would play that with my parents and friends. I've always referred to Nintendo as a family company rather than a childrens company.

Although, the ratio of Nintendo games is still favouring maturer titles, like Metroid, less. But hopefully this year will come closer to bringing out more of these games.

I think Nintendo should work on a new franchise as well. They've done it with Pikmin and Animal Crossing. I think they should bring out a franchise that's at the maturity level of Metroid Prime. Just even things up a bit basically.

Games like the Mario Party franchise give parents a fun reason to spend time with their kids on a Friday night. And they're great party games for teens.

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I have to directly disagree with BV here,  :lol. I can see the shock on everyone's face about that. Seriously though, great party games for "teens" are games like Madden, GTA, Halo, and the like. I've never, ever, seen Mario Party being played at a party.

Edit: I think the problem is that family companies are seen as children's companies, and I think that's a warranted likeness.

stealth toilet said:

I have to directly disagree with BV here,  :lol. I can see the shock on everyone's face about that. Seriously though, great party games for "teens" are games like Madden, GTA, Halo, and the like. I've never, ever, seen Mario Party being played at a party.

Edit: I think the problem is that family companies are seen as children's companies, and I think that's a warranted likeness.

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:lol disagree with me all you want its the truth though... one guy that used to post with as @ Ezboard told me about it.. and well as I have seen it @ many message boards etc.
:lol It is funny.... it really is.

AND I do want to say that I do not agree with drinking games.... as people can get themselves into trouble.

but... Mario Party is used for one...

BV :hat

He meant parents playing Mario Party with kids, which is probably true.

Worms used to be a favourite of mine as a party game.

still if they ever want to compete with the xbox and ps2 they need to address the mature market. or Else they will be run out of the business

Its almost too late though. Honestly, I don't see how Nintendo would really get the mature audience back, especially when Microsoft and Sony have already done it so well.