| Soundwave said: It is kind of odd that Nintendo has pretty much disengaged from the West, whereas in the 90s they were much more of an East + West company. Why the change and is it warranted? Especially when the West now is basically the entire console market? It seems to basically all trace back to Iwata and even Miyamoto moving up the ranks on Nintendo's Board of Directors. A few points I'd raise: - Iwata after being groomed since about 1999/2000 takes over as Nintendo president officially in May 2002. His first major move as president? Selling Rare to Microsoft in September 2002. Despite spin at the time that Nintendo would use the money from the sale to invest in a similar Western studio (Zoonami was thrown around a lot), this never materializes. |
Actually, it was Yamauchi that refused to pay more than "a fraction" of what Rare wanted to buy the rest of the studio. The negotiations with Microsoft had well and truly started before Iwata became CEO. All Iwata did was recognise that holding 49% while MS held 51% is pointless, since it meant MS had the controlling share.
Similarly, Retro's focus was adjusted well before Iwata became CEO.
