Illustrious Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has plainly declared that the Big "N" is working on new ideas for its next batch of hardware/console systems.
It is common for a platform holder to begin work on next-generation hardware soon after the release of the current system, but it is rare that a company executive will openly discuss those plans...especially Nintendo who are as reticent as it gets in most cases.
But when speaking to the Associated Press, Miyamoto openly stated that Nintendo is in the early stages of designing new hardware, and also implied that preliminary work is underway on more than one system. That does not necessarily mean a new console will be released next year, but it does suggest that potential product roadmaps are certainly being contemplated.
"We're focused on providing a robust line-up of Wii U software for next year," Miyamoto said. "It seems like we've managed to do that this year and people are very happy with what we've done on Wii U.
"For the time being, our focus is on the Wii U hardware, but Nintendo as a whole has groups working on ideas for new hardware systems. While we're busy working on software for the Wii U, we have production lines that are working on ideas for what the next system might be."
The comment follows recent whisperings that the electronics manufacturer Sharp will continue its tight business relationship with Nintendo, this time supplying a free-form LCD screen that, it is rumored, Nintendo hopes to use to make a doughnut-shaped display. Meanwhile, in October, it was revealed that Nintendo has begun hiring staff to help work on future platforms, including a hardware architect.
Miyamoto also suggested, but did not confirm, that the next major Mario game will be reserved for the new hardware...whatever that may be.
"Since we first created Mario, people have compared him to Mickey Mouse. I've always said Mickey Mouse evolved with each evolution in animation. You saw Mickey Mouse each step of the way," he said.
Nintendo's Wii U, now with two years under its belt, has been supported by several high-profile and critically acclaimed games, including "Super Smash Bros," "Mario Kart 8," "Bayonetta 2," "Super Mario 3D World" and "Pikmin 3." Despite having almost a full year head start, the system has consistently lagged behind in overall sales to the Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4, so an announcement of this nature, and at this time, isn't as out of left field as it seems.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Never count the Big "N" out of any horse race, no matter how far it appears to be behind...and Microsoft and Sony assuredly know that.
