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Iwata to become Nintendo of America CEO, NoA CEO promoted to NCL Managing Director
- Thread starter Macho Madness
- Start date
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CriterionDog
Member
So Iwata was demoted to CEO of Nintendo of America as he was the President of Nintendo LTD? Can somebody clarify?
No, I think there are plenty of us who are fed up with NCL's policies too.
We shouldn't have to expect, accept, or like delays.
He wasn't demoted. He's taking on further responsibilities and kicking out the middleman.
tehrik-e-insaaf
Member
My personal opinion is that Kimishima was more of a "hold the fort down" kind of person - his position in NCL makes sense given how much Nintendo has invested in their home market and getting their consoles back on track and their operating plan is in place - Kimishima just needs to execute on the existing NCL strategy - i.e. dependability is more important than innovation for Japan now since the operating strategy is in place and sales are accelerating for them
So, it's not about whether Kimishima was good in his role at NoA - it's about whether his skills are aligned with his current role - and I think they are
Iwata being CEO of NoA is a great thing - I think he is going to make a lot of decisions to globalize Nintendo's output and really invest heavily in the Western development talent and products - further, I truly think Yamauchi encouraged him to do it - Yamauchi wanted to go to the US many times in the 80s and 90s but with his son-in-law in charge and the mutual respect Yamauchi and Lincoln had - he never did - still, even despite all of NoA's success - he always wanted Nintendo to be a global company and wanted to personally be running American operations - and I am sure with all of NoA's troubles and Iwata still being relatively young - now was the time to do it - Iwata has really improved his English over the past few years and is developing into a global CEO/President now (along with the engineering/products background which is really important)
Many people have been craving Western collaborations with Nintendo for a while - this makes those collaborations extremely likely now IMHO
I see this move akin to Larry Page giving Eric Schmidt the boot and assuming the CEO title - this is no doubt going to really, really motivate NoA when the President of the company is moving to the US and personally setting up strategy
First 100 days will go something like this:
1. Strategic review of all management personnel in the company and cleaning house + setting up JDs for new hires - I am sure Nintendo will hire head hunters to find top notch people to really increase the level of energy - recruiting will probably be totally revamped as will promotion and performance management and evaluation (something NoA has barely touched in 20 years)
2. Review of all retailer strategies and channel strategies - probably see huge boosts to Nintendo's digital strategy - double down with all retailers in terms of kiosks - probably an expansion of Nintendo World retail format - yes probably improved relationships with Amazon given they are in the same city
3. Review of all internal development and strategic expansion and collaborations - EAD Seattle? Probably more strategic collaborations and partnerships with third party developers. Retro might stay the way it is since Nintendo is happy with them now and feel they are best off managing themselves. Probably more direct investment in products like sports for example.
4. Review of all third party development and developer relations in general - Miyamoto interestingly mentioned Madden as a game that "had been refined over time" similar to Animal Crossing (interesting choice to positively comment on EA that way) - my sense is that they are going to go deep and really push to strategically rebuild third party relationships across the board
No demotion for Iwata. Additional title.
TreasureHunterG
Banned
Possible resignation from Nintendo LTD imminent?
Or Nintendo finally going global company?
NintendoGal
Member
This totally explains a few of the management changes that have been happening as of late.
Read the OP.
He took responsability of NoA, added to his current position, which was never in danger to begin with.
Care to explain? Or is it not possible?
Perfect. Hahaha.
He got banned again?! So weird, I finally saw a post of his yesterday and thought "hey, he's back!"
campfireweekend
Member
Here's a thought, read the OP.
Freezie KO
Banned
This is hilarious and unexpected. Winners want the ball when the game's on the line, I guess.
I wonder what this will change if anything. Would it have helped more to get someone actually attuned to the American markets? What can/will Iwata do that he couldn't before as Global President? What about localizations, Amazon, release schedules, etc.?
We can only wait and laugh.
I wonder what this will change if anything. Would it have helped more to get someone actually attuned to the American markets? What can/will Iwata do that he couldn't before as Global President? What about localizations, Amazon, release schedules, etc.?
We can only wait and laugh.
We always had someone to "blame."
Iwata.
Reggie has no control over any of this stuff, it should be obvious by now.
kaz was president of scei and sony at the same time, i think. not an overseas thing, but something similar.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
Yea alot of titles people said maybe japan for 2013 not NoA but with Iwata it all probably possible for NoA too. Im not sure but could pokemon global launch have benefitted from the future sight (lol) move?
Obviously Reggie has no control but I was always curious if it was actually Iwata who was laughing at US getting games like Xenoblade or some other higher up in Nintendo.
Now we know for sure he's in charge.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Cosmonaut X
Member
Such as...? Are we talking personnel changes or changes in business practice?
NintendoGal
Member
One of the VPs here in RWC moved on to Redmond. There's been a bit of shuffling going on, though none of it terribly useful imo. The problem with NOA isn't upper management, it's the middle management.
StreetsAhead
Member
I don't always know what Nintendo is about to do, but when they do it, I am always surprised.
This will make it way too complicated, American Iwata will have to travel to NoA's HQ so he can call Japanese Iwata, to ask him about the localization of X, but then He'll have to travel back so he can answer his call and say No. Feel sad for the poor guy.
Can't wait till he become's Global Game Industry CEO, though.
So the growing isues NoA has been having reside locally? I didn't expect that.
Can't wait till he become's Global Game Industry CEO, though.
So the growing isues NoA has been having reside locally? I didn't expect that.
Interceptor
Banned
It's always funny to see people arguing about the future of Nintendo and then getting trolled by the company itself in the best possible way. Never fails to impress.
Thats what confuses me about this move. Iwata knows Japan well, but it almost seems as if he is mystified by the west. Why did he decide to do this now instead of a year or two ago? Seems like Yamauchi put him on notice.
Origami Superman
Member
Well that was unexpected. Do you think it's actually going to turn the Wii U around tho?
Nope, my mistake, I thought he was still banned.
Anyway, to contribute before I end up getting myself banned... This seems like good news to me. Not sure how directly the players will feel the changes, but it seems to be in line with the company's general streamlining efforts.
Iwata keeps his job. He now adds the responsibilities of the CEO of NOA to his list.
digoutyoursoul
Member
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