Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto recently admitted in an interview with foreign media that the number of players Nintendo games can reach is limited. This has become one of the key reasons the company has actively pursued film and cross-media development in recent years. He stated that he hopes to expose more people to Nintendo characters and their worldviews through various media formats.
Miyamoto noted in the interview that as digital media evolves, so too does the character of Mario. He explained, "When we think about Mario and developing Mario games, I started to feel that the number of people we could reach through Nintendo consoles and platforms was actually limited."
He further elaborated that the current development of streaming platforms and technology allows characters to reach audiences through more channels: "Now, with the expansion of digital streaming and technology, I feel this is a good way for Mario to be involved and evolve with digital media."
Miyamoto also emphasized that Nintendo's strategy has shifted from simply releasing games to creating more comprehensive entertainment content. He stated that in the past, players could only connect with people through Nintendo consoles, but this time, Nintendo hopes to expand how it connects with players.
"Rather than having everyone think about what games Nintendo will release next, I want people to think about what kind of world Nintendo will expand into next," Miyamoto said.
In recent years, Miyamoto's role within Nintendo has gradually shifted towards brand expansion, involving him in numerous cross-media projects, including the "Mario" film series, the live-action "The Legend of Zelda" movie, and the "Super Nintendo World" theme parks. Nintendo Pictures, the company's visual content division, has also begun releasing visual works, indicating Nintendo's steady expansion of its entertainment footprint.
Of course, the Switch is now Nintendo's best-selling console in history, and the newly released Switch 2 also achieved impressive initial sales. Despite this, Nintendo believes that films and multimedia content can further expand the brand's influence.
"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" recently premiered and demonstrated its box office power. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it still grossed $34 million on its opening day in the US, becoming one of the best opening records this year. This also reflects the continuous increase in the potential of Nintendo characters in the film and television market.
via： IGN