In an intriguing conversation with Bloomberg, former Nintendo developer Ken Watanabe shared some fascinating insights into the legendary company's creative mindset. When discussing the development of new intellectual properties (IPs), Watanabe noted that Nintendo boasts a rich catalog of cherished franchises. Unsurprisingly, the focus isn’t primarily on concocting new IPs; rather, the spotlight is on exploring innovative gameplay mechanics that can be woven into existing titles or even crafted for entirely new experiences.
“New franchises haven’t come out simply because there’s no real need to make them. When Nintendo wants to do something new, it’s basically about the gameplay mechanics first — about creating a new way to play. As for the skin or the wrapper, they don’t really fuss over it. They just pick whatever fits that new gameplay best.”