Nintendo’s global and US presidents discuss Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Switch, and the company’s forays into theme parks, movies, and more. (Harry McCracken/Fast Company)
While Nintendo’s been in the spotlight lately for its Switch console, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima says the company isn’t resting on its laurels. Nintendo also plans to make a splash with Animal Crossing: New Horizons this fall, launching on both the Switch and PC. Kimishima discusses Nintendo’s plans to expand to theme parks, movies, and more during an interview with The Nikkei. He also discusses the company’s plans to make a big announcement at E3 next week.
What is Animal Crossing?
Animal Crossing started as a life simulator on Nintendo 64 but became a popular game that spawned countless sequels and spinoffs across multiple platforms. Like most games, Animal Crossing requires deciding what to do next. One of the decisions you have to make is whether to buy an item or not. Unlike the decision to buy or not to buy a car, however, the consequences of the purchase are very real.
How Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa and CEO Tatsumi Kimishima talk about Animal Crossing: New Horizons.?
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa and CEO Tatsumi Kimishima (pictured above) spoke with IGN Japan about the game, including the fact that it wasn’t intended to be a Nintendo Switch exclusive, how the game’s development has been going, and the challenges of working on the game while simultaneously managing Pokémon GO and Mario Kart Tour. During the earnings call in October, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa noted the company’s focus on new platforms and mentioned Animal Crossing: New Horizons. When asked about the game’s reception, Furukawa stated, “The results from the release exceed our expectations.”
How Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa and CEO Tatsumi Kimishima discuss the company’s plans to expand into theme parks, movies, and more?
What Nintendo did with the Wii, the 3DS, and the upcoming Switch is “social gaming.” By combining online multiplayer gaming with physical gameplay, the company can leverage its massive user base to create social networks and platforms that enable the company to connect with its customers in new and meaningful ways. The Wii U was Nintendo’s first major foray into social gaming, and it’s proven to be a huge hit. Since the system launched, the Wii U has sold over 120 million units worldwide, making it the most successful home console ever produced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that celebrates the joys of being a virtual citizen of the Animal Crossing community. While I’m excited to get my hands on this new installment of Animal Crossing, I do not doubt that I’ll spend plenty of time playing my current game when I’m not writing this. My advice to you? Make sure you have plenty of spare time because you’ll also want to play this game.
FAQs
1. How does Animal Crossing: New Horizons differ from previous titles in the series?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the first Animal Crossing game in the real world, unlike an entirely virtual world. It also features a brand-new town, which has been built to look like the real-life town of Lure World. This new town has several different animals that live there, and you’ll be able to interact with them in various ways.
2. Will there be any new characters?
Yes, there will be several new characters in the game. There will be several returning characters from previous games, as well.
3. How did Animal Crossing come to be?
The idea for the game came from Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima. He wanted to create a game allowing people to connect with nature.
4. How does Animal Crossing work?
In Animal Crossing, you can play as a villager or an animal. Villagers live in a town that has different activities. There are shops where you can buy items and activities such as fishing, gardening, and decorating. Animals live in their world. They can do things like catch bugs, fish, and hunt.
