In a recent meeting with investors, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa discussed the challenges arising from increasing game development expenses for the Nintendo Switch 2. He recognized that these expenses might result in elevated software prices, which could potentially diminish the gaming demographic. To address this, Furukawa highlighted that Nintendo’s development teams are investigating methods to preserve their classic game-making style while adapting to longer and more intricate development timelines.

Furukawa proposed that creating games with shorter development cycles, while still introducing fresh elements, might be a viable solution to escalating costs. He also underscored the need for essential investments aimed at enhancing development efficiency, although he did not provide specific details.

The use of AI in game development continues to be a contentious issue at Nintendo. Furukawa perceives potential for creative applications of AI, whereas Shigeru Miyamoto has shown a preference for alternative strategies. In spite of worries about development efficiency leading to crunch periods, Nintendo has historically succeeded in steering clear of these problems.

On the topic of pricing, Furukawa mentioned that the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 corresponds to the gaming experience it provides. While Nintendo has lowered console prices in the past, optimistic sales forecasts for the Switch 2, which are expected to exceed 5.4 million units, indicate that a price reduction is improbable in the near term.