Shigeru Miyamoto Sums Up Everything Wrong With The Industry In One Sentence - Kotaku

What the report says

Kotaku reported on July 28, 2026, that Nintendo veteran Shigeru Miyamoto used a Famitsu interview to explain why the company believes it has remained resilient while other major game businesses face layoffs, cancellations and studio closures. Citing a machine-translated version of the Japanese interview, Kotaku said Miyamoto argued that Nintendo does not begin development by asking what is currently popular, but instead focuses on making experiences it considers enjoyable to play.

The article frames that philosophy as a contrast with competitors that have pursued high-cost trends, especially live-service games. Kotaku pointed to Sony’s previously stated goal of releasing multiple live-service titles, its Bungie acquisition, and the troubled reception of Concord, while noting Helldivers 2 as an exception. By comparison, the piece says Nintendo has not built its console business around live-service multiplayer or cutting-edge technical specifications.

Miyamoto was also cited as saying that projects driven mainly by the desire for quick profit are less likely to produce distinctive ideas with long-term potential. Kotaku noted that Nintendo still makes commercial decisions, including higher hardware and software prices, but argued that its broader product strategy places less emphasis on matching market fashions.

The significance, as presented by Kotaku, is that Nintendo’s approach may help explain its unusual position in a strained games market. While many publishers compete for players’ time in a small number of dominant ongoing games, Nintendo’s Switch and Switch 2 strategy is portrayed as relying on accessible design, recognizable characters and play concepts rather than raw specs or trend-chasing.