Speaking to the publication Nikkei in Japan, Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata revealed that Nintendo is working on a mobile app for smart phones and tablets that would allow users to use their digital Nintendo avatars, Miis. At times, Nintendo as a company can be very stubborn and stuck in its ways. Sometimes the company is way too old fashioned for its own good. However, I see the progression of developing a Nintendo Mii app for mobile devices as a sensible step in the right direction.
Iwata-san is still not keen on bringing Nintendo software to mobile devices. His position is strange, considering how well Nintendo does with the DS and 3DS hardware. Iwata stated: “In the past, I have opposed making smartphone and tablet versions of Nintendo titles. Prices for content aimed at smartphones and tablets are falling quickly. I am still wary of the category. We intend to develop products that will allow customers to identify with Nintendo products and make people pay attention to Nintendo games.” He continued: “Some Nintendo game consoles incorporate Mii, which creates a digital avatar to represent players. It would be fun for players to use their Mii characters as icons on social media. We are currently developing an application that will allow users to do that. The app will be announced around the time our full-year results are released.”
So, Iwata has confirmed a mobile app in which Nintendo players and users can have access to their Mii avatars on an iPhone or iPad. Nintendo should take this progressive step. It is similar to finally pulling the trigger on making Nintendo hardware region free. Region locking consoles makes absolutely no sense anymore. It is the 21st century, so it is time for Nintendo to evolve and start thinking about mobile software. Another reason it is odd that Nintendo is hesitant concerns the fact that the Wii U GamePad is basically a tablet device for the Wii U.
Nintendo should not be scared of these areas of software development. As a company, Nintendo does not have to dive or go all in to the mobile landscape; but at least the Mii app is a step in the right direction. I look forward to seeing how the Nintendo Mii app launch turns out. If Nintendo is serious about expanding its business, it needs to start taking more advantage of smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
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