Former Nintendo dev claims company has “no real need” for new IPs

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Curious Nintendo enthusiasts who’ve been pondering why the company hasn‘t introduced many new franchises lately might find their query addressed soon.

In recent years, Nintendo has introduced two new franchises – Splatoon in 2015 and ARMS in 2017. However, compared to the release of sequels and spin-offs, these fresh IPs are fewer. Splatoon gained widespread success as it appealed both competitively and casually, while ARMS offered a unique take on fighting games but didn’t quite achieve the same level of popularity.

With the launch of the Switch 2, this trend persists as the majority of the announced initial games heavily feature Nintendo’s iconic characters such as Mario, Donkey Kong, and Kirby. This leads some fans to ponder whether Nintendo is shifting away from developing new universes, or if there’s a strategic rationale driving their approach.

Nintendo doesn’t need new ideas

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I’ve learned from the insightful words of Ken Watanabe, a former software developer at Nintendo, that they don’t concoct fresh franchises out of thin air. In an intriguing conversation with Bloomberg, Watanabe made it clear that Nintendo only introduces new intellectual properties when the gameplay mechanics themselves necessitate it.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d put it this way: old franchises aren’t popping up because there’s no pressing urge to create them. When Nintendo decides to innovate, it’s all about the game mechanics – crafting an entirely fresh playstyle. The aesthetic or packaging isn’t something they lose sleep over. They simply choose what best complements that novel gameplay experience.

In the course of his discussion, Watanabe highlighted Splatoon as an exemplary case study. During its creation, the game initially incorporated well-known characters from Nintendo. However, it was the squid-like Inklings that were introduced later on, once it had been determined they were most effective in conveying mechanics without extensive explanations.

In alignment with Nintendo’s broader ethos, I firmly believe that interacting with players should be an inherent part of the gaming experience itself – no external communication needed. Following in the footsteps of Shinichiro Tamaki, former hardware planner at Nintendo, this philosophy emphasizes that the gameplay must be crystal clear before expanding into new brands or fictional universes. For Nintendo, the creation of new intellectual properties (IPs) is a deliberate choice, only materializing when it’s essential for enriching the gaming experience.

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2025-09-06 23:48