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- Former PlayStation boss says that Nintendo understands its fans better than Sony does its own.
- If he were to become Nintendo’s head, he’d change nothing since there’s nothing that requires fixing.
- It’s also the reason why Nintendo didn’t suffer from the post-COVID gaming slowdown.
The pandemic era was truly the best time for video games, benefiting both corporations and consumers. However, the aftereffects of the lockdown had a profound impact on the industry, exacerbated by the declining economy, which has led to its current terrible state.
Only one giant corporation was immune to these aftershocks. As per former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden’s words, no one is more in touch with their fans than Nintendo is. This is the reason why they were able to counteract the post-COVID gaming slowdown.
Why it matters: Understanding the audience is the first and foremost basic principle of every business. Unfortunately, most executives in the gaming industry are out of touch with consumers, which is why we see terrible news daily about project cancellations, layoffs, and more.
In an hour-long podcast with HipHop gamer, Layden was asked what he would change if he were the head of Nintendo. His response was quite surprising.
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, — If you put me in that job, I would just stand back
The ex-PlayStation boss added that even compared to Sony, Nintendo understood its audience better.
Regarding the repercussions of the pandemic, he stated that Nintendo was quite intelligent not to ramp up their team since, eventually, after the lockdown restrictions were lifted, people would have less time for gaming.
Nintendo truly stuck with one team and, even with enjoying the peak, didn’t have to suffer with layoffs and cancellations afterward. Surprisingly, Nintendo boasts a 98% employee retention rate, whereas giants like Sony and Microsoft frequently eliminate their teams.
In fact, they’re completely opposite of their competitors since Nintendo continues expanding with more hirings, while PlayStation and Xbox are downsizing.
What are your thoughts on this story? Do you agree with Layden’s take? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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