Ex-Nintendo of America President Shares Optimistic Game Industry Prediction

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Ex-Nintendo of America President Shares Optimistic Game Industry Prediction

Highlights

  • Former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé expects the games industry to experience an “upswing” no later than 2025.
  • The industry veteran said “free money” was partly to blame for the sector’s post-pandemic slump.
  • Aside from exciting new games, Fils-Aimé highlighted upcoming hardware, such as the Nintendo Switch successor and the rumored PS5 Pro, as some of the factors that could help the industry return to growth in the near future.

As a long-time Nintendo fan and someone who has closely followed Reggie Fils-Aimé’s career, I am excited to hear his optimistic perspective on the video game industry’s future based on his rich industry experience. Having served as the president of Nintendo of America for 13 years, Fils-Aimé’s insights are invaluable.

Reggie Fils-Aimé, who once led Nintendo of America, is confident that the video game industry is on the brink of rebounding from its post-pandemic downturn. He pointed to several positive indicators suggesting recovery and expressed a hopeful view for the sector’s near future.

For over a decade, from 2006 to 2019, Reggie Fils-Aimé led Nintendo’s American operations as both COO and president. He subsequently stepped down in April 2019, making way for Doug Bowser to assume the role of Nintendo of America’s leader. Since then, Fils-Aimé has remained active, penning a book, launching a podcast, attending numerous public events, and frequently engaging with journalists.

Reggie Fils-Aimé Predicts a Games Industry ‘Upswing’

Based on my extensive background in the video game industry, having worked closely with Nintendo for years as a top executive, I can confidently say that the games industry is on the brink of a renaissance. The current state of affairs presents an exciting opportunity for growth and innovation. With advancements in technology and increasing consumer demand for immersive gaming experiences, I firmly believe that the future of this sector is bright.

The former Nintendo executive elaborated on his prediction, indicating a noticeable consumer enthusiasm towards some upcoming game announcements in June 2024. Though he didn’t mention specific titles, it’s plausible that he was alluding to the announcement of “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” and the long-awaited unveiling of “Metroid Prime 4.” These games have garnered significant positive attention.

Fils-Aimé Says ‘Free Money’ Is Partly to Blame for 2023 Games Industry Slump

In simpler terms, the previous head of Nintendo believed that some of the gaming industry’s post-pandemic issues, like a decrease in growth, were caused in part by an abundance of “easy money.” This was due to the low-interest rates that led to significant investments in games before and during the releases of the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and throughout the pandemic. Fils-Aimé stated that numerous games were produced as a result, some of which shouldn’t have been created in the first place, causing the global market to shrink in 2023.

I would say that the games industry overall is poised for an upswing.

Despite some setbacks, Fils-Aimé believes the gaming world will rebound by 2025. This optimism stems not only from the anticipated releases of games like “Grand Theft Auto 6,” but also the upcoming hardware. Rumored devices such as the Nintendo Switch successor, predicted for a March 2025 launch, and the rumored PS5 Pro could significantly contribute to industry growth.

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2024-07-21 20:53