What's happened
Nintendo's lottery sale for its upcoming device has attracted 2.2 million applications in Japan, far exceeding expectations. Meanwhile, retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target have sold out of pre-orders ahead of the device's June 5 release. Krafton's new game, InZoi, also sold a million copies in its first week.
What's behind the headline?
Market Response
- The overwhelming response to Nintendo's lottery sale indicates a strong demand for innovative gaming devices.
- Krafton's rapid sales of InZoi suggest a successful expansion strategy beyond its flagship franchise.
Implications
- Nintendo's approach may set a precedent for future product launches, emphasizing the importance of managing consumer expectations.
- Krafton's success with InZoi could encourage other gaming companies to explore new genres and platforms, potentially reshaping the gaming landscape.
What the papers say
According to Bloomberg, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa noted, "We have received 2.2 million applications for the lottery sale at our official online store for customers in Japan alone, which is far larger than what we had anticipated." This sentiment is echoed in earlier reports, highlighting the unprecedented interest in the device. Meanwhile, Krafton's CFO Bae Dongkeun stated that InZoi's million-copy sales in its first week reflect a successful strategy to diversify beyond PUBG. The Japan Times also reported on the lottery's overwhelming response, emphasizing the excitement surrounding Nintendo's new offerings.
How we got here
Nintendo's device has generated unprecedented interest, leading to a lottery system for sales. Krafton aims to diversify its portfolio beyond PUBG with the launch of InZoi, which has seen significant early success.
Go deeper
- What features does the new Nintendo device have?
- How does InZoi compare to other games in the market?
- What are the implications of this lottery system for future sales?
More on these topics
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Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company headquartered in Kyoto. The company was founded in 1889 as Nintendo Karuta by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi and originally produced handmade hanafuda playing cards.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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Shuntaro Furukawa is a Japanese businessman and executive. He is the sixth and current president of the video game company Nintendo in Japan. He took over as company president in June 2018, succeeding Tatsumi Kimishima.