Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America President, Announces Retirement
▼ Summary
– Doug Bowser is retiring as president of Nintendo of America, effective December 31st.
– He held the position for six years, overseeing a period of significant expansion for Nintendo.
– Devon Pritchard, the current executive vice president, will be promoted to replace Bowser.
– Satoru Shibata will take on the additional role of CEO for Nintendo of America.
– Bowser stated that leading the company was the honor of a lifetime and praised his team’s accomplishments.
The video game industry is witnessing a significant leadership transition as Doug Bowser, the widely recognized President of Nintendo of America, has revealed his plans to retire. Bowser, who succeeded the beloved Reggie Fils-Aimé in 2019, will officially step down on December 31st. Stepping into the role will be Devon Pritchard, the current Executive Vice President of Nintendo of America, marking a new chapter for the company’s stateside operations.
During his six-year tenure as president, Bowser was instrumental in guiding Nintendo through a period of remarkable growth. His leadership extended far beyond the core business of video games, overseeing the company’s successful expansion into new ventures. This included the development of Super Nintendo World theme parks and the critically acclaimed The Super Mario Bros. Movie. His time at the helm also saw the successful recent launch of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 console, cementing his legacy.
Reflecting on his career, Bowser shared a personal connection to the company’s history. “One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” he stated. “Since that time, all things Nintendo have continued to be a passion for both me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished.”
The leadership restructuring involves another key appointment. Satoru Shibata, a managing executive officer and corporate director at Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto, will take on the additional role of CEO for Nintendo of America. Shibata will continue his duties in Japan while providing executive oversight stateside. Devon Pritchard, who has been with Nintendo since 2006, expressed gratitude for Bowser’s guidance, stating, “Doug has been a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to building on the incredible foundation he has helped establish.”
(Source: The Verge)
