Nintendo Only Creates New IP When Gameplay Doesn’t Fit Existing Franchises, Says Former Dev
▼ Summary
– Nintendo prioritizes gameplay mechanics over creating new intellectual properties when developing games.
– The company selects an existing franchise that best fits the new gameplay, only considering new IP if no suitable one exists.
– Splatoon became a new IP in 2015 because no existing franchise effectively matched its gameplay and concept.
– Upcoming Nintendo releases, such as Metroid Prime 4 and Kirby Air Riders, continue to rely on established franchises.
– A former developer stated that new franchises are not made because there is no real need for them when existing ones suffice.
For Nintendo, the process of creating a new game always begins with a single question: what kind of experience do we want players to have? The company’s approach to game development has long been guided by a philosophy that prioritizes innovative gameplay over branding. According to former Nintendo software developer Ken Watanabe, the company rarely feels compelled to invent new intellectual properties unless a game concept simply doesn’t align with any of its existing worlds.
In a recent interview, Watanabe explained that Nintendo focuses on developing new ways to play before ever considering which franchise might house those mechanics. The “skin” or thematic wrapper of a game is treated as a secondary concern, something chosen only after the core interactive experience has been solidified. If an existing series like Mario, Zelda, or Pokémon can naturally accommodate the new gameplay, that’s the direction the project takes. It’s a practical, design-led strategy that has served the company well for decades.
There are, however, moments when a concept is so distinct that it demands a fresh cast and setting. A perfect example is Splatoon, which debuted on the Wii U in 2015. Initially, the development team experimented with placing familiar characters into the ink-based shooter format, but the fit felt awkward. The mechanics called for something entirely new, a world where fashion, turf wars, and rebellious squid-like creatures could thrive. Thus, the Inklings were born, and a new franchise was launched out of creative necessity.
Looking at Nintendo’s upcoming release calendar, this strategy remains firmly in place. Titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and new entries in the Kirby and Hyrule Warriors series all build on established universes. Even recent hits, including the latest Mario Kart and Donkey Kong installments, reinforce the company’s preference for leveraging beloved IP whenever possible. New worlds emerge only when the gameplay truly warrants them, a testament to Nintendo’s disciplined, player-first design ethos.
(Source: GameSpot)
