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[DownGrader]

I would not doubt that seeing Hiroshi Yamauchi ruthless strategy lol. But actually, isn't the one who actually had close relation with Yakuza is Sega? Rather than Nintendo? I do know Nintendo operate damn closely with the government lol.

I've actually heard that all gaming companies in Japan, being entertainment businesses, have some ties to Yakuza... But I did hear a story about Sega kidnapping the sister of one of its employees who had a thought of leaving it for another company.

 

[daxgame]

The evidence is in the article...

The prime minister clearly and conspicuously displays Nintendo accoutrements without a single cent being spent on the latter's behalf. That is unprecedented. Given how commercialized the Olympics is and how much money is being spent, I highly doubt the IOC would allow such overt displays of advertisement free of gratuity because of the kindness of their hearts.

I want to believe you are being ironic, but just in case

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...6b-11e6-91cb-ecb5418830e9-20160822-story.html

The committee organizing the 2020 Games approached Nintendo about the cameo and the company complied, said spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa.

 

[JoeM86]

You can count on Olympic games Amiibo for the next Mario & Sonic Olympic game.

I'm personally hoping Pokémon has some sort of cool tie-in spin-off considering they're doing some merchandise

 

[Aostia]

I mean Bowser IS a lizard.

And some chief at NOA
with the new chief of marketing at NoItaly being called Bullo (that means Bully in italian) I am starting to be scared !

 

[Übermatik]

I'm horrified to the depths by which Nintendo controls bureaucracy in Japan. There's corruption at the highest levels of civil office and incredible clout wielded by the executives.

I'm not surprised since they have been around for more than 120 years. That certainly is enough time for them to dig their claws into government and exert their influence at all levels without nary a worry of rebuff.

 

[Sadist]

I was amazed by a comment from the other thread by the same poster, but this one takes the cake.

Nintendo, truly evil. Eeeeeeeeeviiiiiillllll

 

[SinCityAssassin]

So I didn't read this mythical "one thread" with that "one guy", but I never thought otherwise? I didn't put much thought into it at all really, but I never would have assumed Nintendo paid for it.

Including that starting one, also enjoy:

Nah, one way or another the International Olympic Committee always gets its cut. The know that the Olympics itself is the major brand; everything else is a co-sponsor and has to pay for the privilege of being associated with the games. So there shouldn't be any doubt Nintendo spent a lot of money to make this little marketing exercise possible. My only argument is that such resources would have been better spent elsewhere, in light of Nintendo's diminished global presence this past year.

Nintendo surely paid, as did Shueisha. The Olympics is less about athletes and more about an elaborate exercise in bribery and co-branding. The International Olympic Committee isn't stupid, they aren't going to give Nintendo a world stage and global coverage for free, money changed hands to make this cameo possible. A pity then Nintendo doesn't have any new products to promote at the moment.

 

[TheMoon]

Some has been elevated to "I am an expert!"-level. Congrats.

 

[casiopao]

I've actually heard that all gaming companies in Japan, being entertainment businesses, have some ties to Yakuza... But I did hear a story about Sega kidnapping the sister of one of its employees who had a thought of leaving it for another company.

I even remember hearing from some of friends from JP that Sega especially Sammy had direct link with some of they big Yakuza in Japan lol.

Konami is also often linked with some Yakuza i remember. The only one i remember had almost zero problem with Yakuza is Bamco here.

I'm personally hoping Pokémon has some sort of cool tie-in spin-off considering they're doing some merchandise

This will depend on TPC rather than Nintendo right? But, well if everything goes right, the launching of Nintendo Land in Japan is the same year as Olympic so in a way, Nintendo is going to join the big promotion fun lol.

 

[MR ARCADE FOREVER]

Wasn't someone adamant it was the opposite lol?

Yes I forgot his nickname but the his posts were pure gold

 

[Venfayth]

Did anyone find Abe showing up as Mario distasteful at all?

I know it was just a good bit of fun, but my initial reaction when I heard about it was that it seemed a bit shallow for Japan's Prime Minister to show up as Mario.

Not a strong feeling of mine or anything, just seemed a bit off.

 

[Retrobox]

This company is just a rollercoaster of emotions.

I'm pretty sure other companies would KILL to have their brand presented at the Olympics for everyone to see, let alone for FREE.

You have absolutely disastrous things happening with Nintendo one moment, but also things like this the next moment. That's just hilarious to me.

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Did anyone find Abe showing up as Mario distasteful at all?

I know it was just a good bit of fun, but my initial reaction when I heard about it was that it seemed a bit shallow for Japan's Prime Minister to show up as Mario.

Not a strong feeling of mine or anything, just seemed a bit off.

Distasteful to Mario or to Abe?

 

[Venfayth]

Distasteful to Mario or to Abe?

Abe, but Japan in general.

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Abe, but Japan in general.

Nah man, Mario is a universal icon that can essentially represent Japan's enduring cultural impact in the modern world. Everyone knows Mario like everyone knows Mickey Mouse. And remember, THEY reached out to Nintendo, so obviously they felt like Mario was the right choice to represent Japan to the world.

I would imagine Abe himself wouldn't be as thrilled to be part of the gag, but whatever. His grandkids probably love him for it.

 

[casiopao]

This company is just a rollercoaster of emotions.

I'm pretty sure other companies would KILL to have their brand presented at the Olympics for everyone to see, let alone for FREE.

You have absolutely disastrous things happening with Nintendo one moment, but also things like this the next moment. That's just hilarious to me.

That is why they are called Leave Luck to Heaven lol. As long as the Nintendo had the financial power to hold survive for a very long time, one day the RNG Goddess is going to support Nintendo and they will rise and bring terror to all its competitor again lol.^_^

 

[clay_ghost]

Did anyone find Abe showing up as Mario distasteful at all?

I know it was just a good bit of fun, but my initial reaction when I heard about it was that it seemed a bit shallow for Japan's Prime Minister to show up as Mario.

Not a strong feeling of mine or anything, just seemed a bit off.

Shallow? Not really, Mario is a icon and not many actually recognised the Japan PM.
However, I don't really like this appearance after some thoughts since I don't really like Abe =/ It's still cool that one of the world leader dress up as Super Mario on a world stage, only that It will be cooler if it's someone like Obama.

 

[Rymuth]

Including that starting one, also enjoy:

Cripes...

 

[oti]

It's Super Mario! Dude was more popular than Mickey Mouse at some points wasn't he? Of course they'd use him.

There it is. It got me so hyped for Tokyo 2020 I am already planning my trip.

Give us the deets! I want to go there too.

 

[HawthorneKitty]

That is why they are called Leave Luck to Heaven lol. As long as the Nintendo had the financial power to hold survive for a very long time, one day the RNG Goddess is going to support Nintendo and they will rise and bring terror to all its competitor again lol.^_^

Are they really competing, or are they just cohabiting?

 

[KojiKnight]

Shallow? Not really, Mario is a icon and not many actually recognised the Japan PM.
However, I don't really like this appearance after some thoughts since I don't really like Abe =/ It's still cool that one of the world leader dress up as Super Mario on a world stage, only that It will be cooler if it's someone like Obama.

Not much of a fan if Abe either, but even if Nintendo had no plans to pay for sponsorship, they weren't going to turn down free advertising on that level.

 

[casiopao]

Cripes...

Kintor is really such a gem in that thread lol. It makes me laugh trying to reason with him. The hate boner for Nintendo is astounding.

Are they really competing, or are they just cohabiting?

Lol. There is really a ton of thread we can use to talk about Ninty lol.^_^ I guess Nintendo is just passing by lol. Not even Competing nor cohabiting.^_^

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Are they really competing, or are they just cohabiting?

 

[El-Suave]

They are not going to be a sponsor? That's sad.

Who sponsors the Olympics isn't so much up to Japan, it's up to the IOC - their partnerships usually aren't just for one event and the sponsor pool might already be closed to begin with. If Nintendo, or other video game related companies, want in on the action they'd have to partner with Coca Cola, McDonalds and the other usual sponsors. Think special Coke cans, Happy Meals, Mario edition cars etc..

 

[beril]

Abe, but Japan in general.

My respect for Stefan Löfven (Swedish PM) would increase drastically if he would dress up as Minecraft-Steve

 

[SinCityAssassin]

If Nintendo, or other video game related companies, want in on the action they'd have to partner with Coca Cola, McDonalds and the other usual sponsors. Think special Coke cans, Happy Meals, Mario edition cars etc..

 

[casiopao]

I know someone is going to show that Mercedes lol.

Now, where is Bowser and BMW collab?T_T

 

[hydragonwarrior]

so much salt or bitterness against Nintendo.

Who wouldn't be after Federation Force

 

[Rappy]

The evidence is in the article...

The prime minister clearly and conspicuously displays Nintendo accoutrements without a single cent being spent on the latter's behalf. That is unprecedented. Given how commercialized the Olympics is and how much money is being spent, I highly doubt the IOC would allow such overt displays of advertisement free of gratuity because of the kindness of their hearts.

Okay, instead of just posting shitty gifs, I'll explain the errors of reasoning and comprehension of the scenario:

Money was still spent for the segment by Japan/Dentsu Inc. This is not the IOC giving that segment of time for free. Dentsu approached Nintendo to request to use Mario as another user pointed out from an article. If anything, they would be paying Nintendo for the use of the IP. Again Dentsu, not the IOC.

Abe, but Japan in general.

In what sense is it distasteful? Because it is videogame character and videogames are somehow not "mature" and "honorable"? Abe agreed to dress up as Mario. The committee responsible decided it was a good idea to include Mario to represent Japan for the segment. And from the article:

Purists might feel the commercial branding was a bit overdone, and argue for other ways to promote Japanese culture, according to Dorfman, who has lived in Japan.

“But gaming and anime are certainly major aspects of modern Japan, and Mario is a universal icon. As someone who doesn’t take sports or the Olympics too seriously, I found the whole thing pretty funny and entertaining,” he said.

Of course there are other aspects of Japanese culture, but what they decided to go with does not make it any less respectable or legitimate just because "they're videogames".

 

[casiopao]

Who wouldn't be after Federation Force

Hiks. I feel like i am the only who like the game here.T_T

Amiibo Festival does makes my blood boil though.O_O

 

[striferser]

That legendary'poster' eat crow after this one. Such an expert

 

[Brat-Sampson]

I'd be interested for comparison to see if anyone spent/received money when James bond appeared in a skit then jumped out of a helicopter with the queen at the London event.

My guess is they were happy to be there or Danny Boyle paid them, rather than Eon Productions paying for the privilege/exposure.

 

[MCN]

If Nintendo, or other video game related companies, want in on the action they'd have to partner with Coca Cola, McDonalds and the other usual sponsors. Think special Coke cans, Happy Meals, Mario edition cars etc..

Or they can just make Mario and Sonic at the Tokyo Olympic Games, like they usually do.

 

[feint_ruled]

I guess if you get to use an existing property as a means to advertise an upcoming event you might expect to pay for it, right? So well done Nintendo for.. er...

 

[Jintor]

Did anyone find Abe showing up as Mario distasteful at all?

I know it was just a good bit of fun, but my initial reaction when I heard about it was that it seemed a bit shallow for Japan's Prime Minister to show up as Mario.

Not a strong feeling of mine or anything, just seemed a bit off.

i mean he's a conservative vaguely fascist hawk so yeah, pretty disrespectful to mario imho

 

[casiopao]

I guess if you get to use an existing property as a means to advertise an upcoming event you might expect to pay for it, right? So well done Nintendo for.. er...

Umm.... getting a gigantic exposure from Olympic is not something to be happy for?O_O

 

[Codeblue]

Do juniors still get permed for their first offense? I'm sort of looking forward to Kintor bumping this thread in three months to set the record straight.

 

[Japanmanx3]

I'm horrified to the depths by which Nintendo controls bureaucracy in Japan. There's corruption at the highest levels of civil office and incredible clout wielded by the executives.

I'm not surprised since they have been around for more than 120 years. That certainly is enough time for them to dig their claws into government and exert their influence at all levels without nary a worry of rebuff.

The evidence is in the article...

The prime minister clearly and conspicuously displays Nintendo accoutrements without a single cent being spent on the latter's behalf. That is unprecedented. Given how commercialized the Olympics is and how much money is being spent, I highly doubt the IOC would allow such overt displays of advertisement free of gratuity because of the kindness of their hearts.

I see you Kintor

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Or they can just make Mario and Sonic at the Tokyo Olympic Games, like they usually do.

Nah, with the opening of their amusement park in the same year, I'd have to believe they'd team up with sponsors of the olympics for that additional brand awareness.

 

[thetrin]

Fucking hell, Dentsu is just way too big. I can't even think of any advertising done in Japan that hasn't been handed to them.

 

[Claude Augario]

Damn, dude went out in that thread like a wet fart and we can't even get the pleasure of seeing his reaction to this "news." That, boys and girls, is what we call loud and wrong. You can be loud, and you can be wrong, but you don't want to be both or you'll become a GAF legend for all the wrong reasons.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Shocking.

How much power do people think Nintendo has to have the Prime Minister of Japan dress up as Mario and go through a Warp Pipe?

So much so that they didn't even have to pay for it.

Says it all, really.

 

[Kathian]

Lol companies don't pay for this stuff; it's in Japan interest to promote Mario to millions.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Lol companies don't pay for this stuff; it's in Japan interest to promote Mario to millions.

Think about that sentence. Japan truly is Nintendoland.

 

[Akhe]

The evidence is in the article...

The prime minister clearly and conspicuously displays Nintendo accoutrements without a single cent being spent on the latter's behalf. That is unprecedented. Given how commercialized the Olympics is and how much money is being spent, I highly doubt the IOC would allow such overt displays of advertisement free of gratuity because of the kindness of their hearts.

 

[hirokazu]

I like how nobody even remembers the name of that one crazy guy in the other thread, LOL.

 

[The Giant]

Well Nintendo and Denstu have had a long relationship together. They both founded Nd Cube.

 

[feint_ruled]

Umm.... getting a gigantic exposure from Olympic is not something to be happy for?O_O

Sure, that was tongue in cheek, it was mutually beneficial. But surely it would be just as likely for the IOC to have to pay Nintendo than for the other way around? Just seemed funny to me everyone slapping Ninty on the back for having been paid no money. ;-)

 

[correojon]

Sure, that was tongue in cheek, it was mutually beneficial. But surely it would be just as likely for the IOC to have to pay Nintendo than for the other way around? Just seemed funny to me everyone slapping Ninty on the back for having been paid no money. ;-)

Think about it the other way: right now in Japan people might be saying how nice it was from Nintendo to collaborate to represent the country before the rst of the world without asking anything in return. Not only did get an insane promotion from this, it didn´t cost them a thing and people will even think they´re some sort of "heroes".

 

[Kazerei]

Including that starting one, also enjoy:

This is the best one:

A stronger presence at E3 (or at least a dozen Nintendo directs) would do more for Nintendo's global presence then this bizarre stunt at Rio. At least at E3 Nintendo would be assured that gamers and the enthusiast media would be paying attention. While at Rio, it's a mix bag and nobody was watching the closing ceremony anticipating co-branding with Mario. Really, Nintendo at Rio seems like a continuation of their failed 'blue ocean' strategy, trying to chase the casual crowd that made the Wii a success without realising that the industry has moved on.