TOKYO, The problem of a shortage of computer chips required to build the Nintendo Switch is a serious one that will not be solved soon, according to the Japanese video-game manufacturer.
Shuntaro Furukawa stated to reporters that the situation is still very tight and that the future was uncertain.
Furukawa stated that the shortage of computer chips is what caused Nintendo to reduce its forecast for Switch sales through March from 25.5 million units to 24 million.
He stated that it was even harder to predict the future for the fiscal year ahead.
Shipping and production disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic affect electronics manufacturers, automakers, and other industries.
According to Kyoto-based Nintendo Co., the shortage of chips is also affecting design efforts for its next gaming machine. Nintendo is working on a device that will follow the Switch’s lead, but hasn’t yet announced when it will be available.
Shigeru Miyamoto (the company’s top game designer) said that software development has not been hampered by these problems.
Miyamoto stated that the Super Mario movie, which is a collaboration between U.S. studio Illumination and Mario, won’t be available until December 2022. There may be other movies in the pipeline.
Furukawa stated that Nintendo hopes goods and theme parks can help people become more interested in the company’s games.
Nintendo is up against long-standing rivals like Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp., which both offer their own gaming consoles. But, there’s also competition from newcomers such as Netflix and Google.
The company reported a 19% drop in profits for the fiscal second half. This was mainly due to a significant increase in profit from the previous year when people who were not affected by the pandemic and stayed at home, turned to the products. Nintendo’s April-September profit was 171.8 billion yen ($1.5billion), a decrease of 213 billion.
