Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal: A Stock Surge and a Director's Ire
Nintendo's stock price soared following the Switch 2 announcement, a stark contrast to the harsh words directed at leakers by renowned game director Hideki Kamiya. This article explores the financial impact of the reveal and Kamiya's strong reaction.
A Positive Market Response to the Switch 2
According to Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto, interviewed by VGC on January 16, 2025, Nintendo's share price increase reflects shareholder relief. The fear of a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, due to perceived over-innovation, was apparently allayed by the Switch 2's iterative design. While the average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, rising with increasing leaks, the announcement pushed it to a peak of $15.77 USD. Toto notes that while the leaks diminished the surprise element, the announcement still provided a positive market signal. The relatively low-detail reveal, however, pales in comparison to the original Switch's launch impact. A Nintendo Direct on April 2 is expected to provide more comprehensive details.
Kamiya's Outrage at Leaks
Hideki Kamiya, known for his outspoken nature, unleashed a torrent of criticism on Twitter (X) towards those responsible for the Switch 2 leaks. He expressed his disappointment, contrasting it with the successful surprise reveal of Okami at The Game Awards. Kamiya believes the leaks were motivated by self-gratification, harming Nintendo's potential post-announcement gains. Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a YouTube video, highlighting the company's significant displeasure with the leaks. The broader impact of leaks on the gaming industry, including dampened excitement and misaligned expectations, remains a concern, though Nintendo hasn't yet publicly quantified the damage.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
The mystery surrounding the "C" button on the right Joy-Con fuels speculation. Two prominent theories circulate: a "Campus" function enabling communication features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers (group chat, screen sharing), and mouse-like control functionality, potentially transforming the Joy-Con into a mouse for enhanced gaming in titles like first-person shooters. The latter theory gains some credence from the Switch 2 announcement trailer, showing the Joy-Cons seemingly sliding across a surface. The truth, however, remains elusive until the April 2 Direct.
