Shuntaro Furukawa - Softonic English

Nintendo denies lobbying against one of the most promising technologies of the present time

Nintendo has strongly denied claims that it is lobbying against generative artificial intelligence with the Japanese government. Through a post on Twitter, the company stated: “Contrary to recent discussions on the internet, Nintendo has not had contact with the Japanese government regarding generative AI. Regardless of the involvement of generative AI, we will continue to take necessary measures against the infringement of our intellectual property rights.” Nintendo says it is not confronting AI The controversy arose from a claim by Japanese House of Representatives member Satoshi Asano, who […]

Nintendo has strongly denied claims that it is lobbying against generative artificial intelligence with the Japanese government. Through a post on Twitter, the company stated: “Contrary to recent discussions on the internet, Nintendo has not had contact with the Japanese government regarding generative AI. Regardless of the involvement of generative AI, we will continue to take necessary measures against the infringement of our intellectual property rights.”

Nintendo says it is not confronting AI

The controversy arose from a statement by Japanese House of Representatives member Satoshi Asano, who had made a post suggesting that Nintendo was involved in lobbying activities to oppose the use of generative AI. However, after Nintendo denied these accusations, Asano offered a formal apology, acknowledging that he had not properly verified the facts.

The incident coincides with a delicate moment for OpenAI, whose new video generation platform, Sora 2, has been criticized for creating content that included copyrighted material from Nintendo, Pokémon, and other iconic franchises. One of the generated videos even showed a character resembling Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, commenting: “I hope Nintendo doesn’t sue us,” while photorealistic Pokémon ran in the background. This situation has led OpenAI to reconsider its policies regarding the use of copyrighted material.

While Nintendo is known for being very protective of its intellectual property, the company’s stance on generative AI is still not entirely clear. Although its president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has previously expressed concerns about rights protection, he has also stated that the company is open to leveraging technological developments. Nintendo is considering keeping the door open to generative AI, following the growing trend in the video game industry in Japan, where more than half of the companies in the sector already employ this technology in some way.

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Nintendo does not rule out raising the price of the Switch 2

The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be one of the most significant events in the video game industry in the coming years, generating great anticipation among fans who want to learn about the advanced technical capabilities of the new console and enjoy its exclusive game catalog. However, the launch atmosphere has been overshadowed by external factors, particularly the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which are already affecting Nintendo and could have a negative impact on prices for consumers. The tariffs could very well make it unfeasible to sell it […]

The launch of Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be one of the most significant events in the video game industry in the coming years, generating great anticipation among fans who want to learn about the advanced technical capabilities of the new console and enjoy its exclusive game catalog. However, the launch atmosphere has been overshadowed by external factors, particularly the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which are already affecting Nintendo and could have a negative impact on prices for consumers.

The tariffs could very well make it unfeasible to sell it at the current price

Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, has acknowledged that the company is feeling the impact of these tariffs and warned that, although the launch price will be set at 469 euros for the console and 509 euros for the package that includes Mario Kart World, adjustments may need to be made if trade tariffs change drastically. “If the situation with tariffs changes significantly, we will have to consider what price adjustments we should make,” Furukawa explained, emphasizing the company’s current goal of quickly popularizing the Switch 2 hardware.

Recently, Nintendo also announced a price increase for Switch 2 accessories in the United States, promising players that these changes are the result of modifications in market conditions. “Nintendo Switch 2 accessories will experience price adjustments compared to those announced on April 2. Other price adjustments for any Nintendo product may also be possible in the future depending on market conditions,” the company stated.

The gaming community is closely watching these developments, as they could affect not only the cost of hardware but also the feasibility of acquiring games and related accessories. In this context of uncertainty, the role of tariffs in the video game industry has become the center of debate, with analysts speculating about their long-term impact.

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Nintendo has confirmed that the Joy-Con of the Switch 2 will not be Hall effect

Nintendo players have been dealing with the drifting issue in the Joy-Con since the launch of the Nintendo Switch, to the point that a group of them has sued the company. This problem has negatively affected the gaming experience, generating frustration and disappointment among users. Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, has publicly apologized for these inconveniences, a gesture that highlights the seriousness of the situation. A decision that is causing controversy over the drift of the original Switch The technology of the joysticks has evolved, and the use of sensors […]

Nintendo players have been dealing with the drifting issue in the Joy-Con since the launch of the Nintendo Switch, to the point that a group of them has sued the company. This problem has negatively affected the gaming experience, causing frustration and disappointment among users. Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, has publicly apologized for these inconveniences, a gesture that highlights the seriousness of the situation.

A decision that is causing controversy over the drift of the original Switch

The technology of joysticks has evolved, and the use of magnetic sensors like Hall effect sensors has been proposed as a solution for wear and drifting. However, Nintendo has chosen to completely redesign the Joy-Con without implementing this technology. According to Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development, the new Joy-Con have been “designed from the ground up” to improve their durability and avoid both drift and the ‘ghosting effect’ that affects many current controllers. Although Hall technology will not be used, Bihldorff assures that the new controllers are comfortable and durable.

In addition to the redesign of the Joy-Con, Nintendo has been working on its new Pro Controller, which promises to be one of the quietest controllers on the market, with improved tactile feedback, ideal for demanding players in competitive titles like Super Smash Bros. This controller aims to create a more satisfying and enjoyable experience, prioritizing both performance and comfort.

On the other hand, the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will not feature an OLED screen, a decision that has sparked debate. However, according to Nintendo, this will not affect the quality of the console, leaving fans with the expectation of what is to come in this new generation of their popular devices.

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What will be the price of Switch 2? A former Nintendo employee is clear about it

The video game industry is awaiting a significant change with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, a console that promises not only to mobilize millions of players but also to shake up the market as a whole. A crucial factor for the success of this new console is its price, which must be affordable for the vast community of gamers who have followed Nintendo over the years. However, the exact price of the Switch 2 has generated much speculation and confusion. Recently, a former Nintendo employee who participated in the department […]

However, the exact price of the Switch 2 has generated a lot of speculation and confusion. Recently, a former Nintendo employee who participated in the sales and retail department stated on the Kit & Krysta podcast that the prices often seen in stores are unfounded. According to this ex-employee, retail stores like Walmart do not have official information about the new device. “Nothing, nothing… certainly not the price, almost certainly no release date,” he commented, emphasizing that such speculations are, at best, misinterpretations.

Furukawa was explicit about it: many things need to be taken into account

As Nintendo prepares for the launch of its new console, Shuntaro Furukawa, the company’s president, has indicated that inflation and the current economic environment are being taken into account. This is crucial, as the success of the console will depend on its ability to be affordable, especially at a time when the global economy is facing significant challenges.

While concrete data about the price and release date remain uncertain, the gaming community eagerly awaits news. This outcome will not only shape the future of the Nintendo Switch 2, but it will also have a considerable impact on the strategy and products of other companies in the video game industry.

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Switch will continue to be Nintendo’s main business during 2024, but they have things to say about 2025

Switch will continue to be Nintendo’s main business during 2024, but they have things to say about 2025, and when they could announce the Switch 2.

Nintendo is a company that has distanced itself from the console war for many years. Instead of trying to compete by making increasingly powerful consoles and releasing them one after another, the Japanese company does its own thing, catering to its own audience, and it’s doing well. If we look at the numbers they have shared about their financial performance in 2023, it’s clear.

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The most striking thing is the sales of the console itself. Nintendo Switch continues to sell, even at what seems to be the end of its life cycle. Reaching 139.36 million units sold as of December 31, 2023, this places it as the third best-selling console in history. Only surpassed by Nintendo DS, which is at 154 million units, and the PlayStation 2, at 155 million units.

When it comes to games, the numbers don’t hold many more secrets. The best-selling game during the last quarter of December 2023 was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, selling 3.57 million copies, followed by Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with 1.41 million, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with 1.23 million. If we talk about the total number of copies sold historically, it’s not surprising either that these three games are the best-selling ones: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with 60.58 million copies, Animal Crossing: New Horizons with 44.79 million, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with 33.67 million. Although closely followed by Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with 31.61 million.

Due to this, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has emphasized that throughout 2024 they will focus on Nintendo Switch as their main business. He has also refused to talk about Nintendo’s next-generation console, once again, despite the rumors continuing to pile up. Giving more and more credibility to the information that its release is imminent.

In fact, Furukawa himself has dropped a hint of when we might know more. Although this time it was about presenting the numbers for 2023 and talking about the plans for 2024, that doesn’t mean they’re not already thinking about 2025. About the company’s plans for 2025, they ask us to wait until the next shareholders’ meeting, which will take place in May. This would fit well with the possible announcement of that hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2, as has been commented by insiders. But until May, or until Nintendo announces it, this is nothing more than speculation. And the only thing that is certain is that the Switch continues to be a cash cow that Nintendo does not want to kill prematurely.

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Nintendo will continue publishing games for the Switch even after its successor is released

Nintendo has said that with Switch they intend to break with the traditional idea of the life cycle of platforms, not without consequences

In the video game industry, we are accustomed to life cycles. When a console reaches the end of its lifespan, a new one emerges, rendering the previous one obsolete. Games stop being developed for it, and it fades into obscurity, becoming a collector’s item. This has always been the norm, driven by the relentless pace of technological advancement. Except that Nintendo has decided that things can be done differently.

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According to the Japanese company, they will continue releasing games for the Switch “without being tied to the traditional concept of the platform life cycle.” In short, it means that it doesn’t matter if other Nintendo consoles appear; they will continue to support the Nintendo Switch independently.

These statements were made by Shuntaro Furukawa, the president of Nintendo, during the presentation of the financial results for the second quarter of the current fiscal year, ending in March 2024. He also stated, “In the future, we want to continue seeing as many consumers as possible enjoying our games on Nintendo Switch and maintaining the momentum of our business.”

In addition to these statements, the financial results have revealed some impressive numbers for Nintendo. As of September 30, 2023, the Nintendo Switch Online service had 38 million users, while the Nintendo Account had around 330 million registered users worldwide. For this reason, Furukawa stated that Nintendo’s intention is to “continue offering new ways for users to enjoy the Nintendo Switch in the long term, expanding the content available through the Nintendo Switch Store.”

None of this implies that there won’t be a successor to the Nintendo Switch. As Furukawa himself affirmed, the console will be eight years old in March 2024. Simply put, even when the much-rumored successor hits the shelves, it won’t mark the end of the Nintendo Switch’s lifespan.

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Nintendo Switch isn’t going anywhere; it will continue to receive games until 2025… more or less

Nintendo Switch will continue to receive games until April 2025, but according to Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, there will be surprises before

Nintendo Switch is having a lifespan in line with its sales. Being a sales success, it’s logical that Nintendo isn’t rushing to release its successor. As long as it continues to perform well, there’s no sense in thinking about another console. Additionally, the experience with Wii U has made them cautious. They don’t want to find themselves in a situation where a great success is followed by a major failure. However, what many probably didn’t expect is that the Switch would extend its life by another year and a half beyond the six and a half years it has already been around.

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As stated by Shuntaro Furukawa, president of Nintendo, to Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper that is also the world’s largest financial newspaper, Nintendo will continue to focus on Switch until the end of the current fiscal year, which concludes in March 2024. After that, they will continue supporting the console, at least, until the end of the following fiscal year: March 2025.

For the more alarmed, this might sound like Nintendo has no intention of releasing a successor to Nintendo Switch until, at least, April 2025. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Similar to how Sony and Microsoft continue releasing games for previous-generation consoles, what Furukawa means here is that even if they launch the successor to the console, they will continue supporting it with new games.

This only serves to confirm the rumors that a hypothetical Switch 2 would arrive in the second half of 2024. Having showcased a series of demos at the previous Gamescom, albeit only among developers, it appears that Nintendo is already aiming for its next-generation leap. However, as Furukawa himself states, not at the expense of leaving behind those who are already enjoying their excellent current console.

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