Former Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO Jack Tretton has praised Nintendo
for the major role that they played in rebuilding the games industry after it suffered the catastrophic North American crash in 1983.
After the crash bankrupted several companies, the Nintendo Entertainment System had helped the industry to recover when it scored widespread success. Without that, Tretton implied that it may not have ever been in the successful position it now finds itself in.
“I certainly didn’t,” Tretton replied, asked as to whether anyone at Sony anticipated the success that Wii was met with. “I think this industry wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for Nintendo, so everybody respects the fact that they had such a hand in building this great industry that we’ve all been able to work in.
“But, from generation to generation, you never knew what you were going to get with Nintendo, you just knew that you couldn’t count them out. I think everybody discounted the Wii initially, and it really took the world by storm. I’d say there are a lot more people in the ‘surprise’ camp than the ‘I told you so’ camp. Maybe a few people at Nintendo, but the vast majority were skeptical when that came out.”
This month we will hopefully learn more about Nintendo NX, and what the next chapter in Nintendo’s illustrious history will bring.
