The Impact of Nintendo on Modern Gaming
The London Developer Conference (LDC) recently brought together some of the biggest names in the gaming world to discuss the industry’s current state and future trajectory.
One notable speaker at this year’s event was Keza MacDonald, video games editor at The Guardian and author of the 2020 book You Died: The Dark Souls Companion.
Following her ‘Fireside Chat’ presentation at LDC, Keza sat down with us to provide insights into her upcoming book, Super Nintendo: How One Japanese Company Helped the World Have Fun, discussing Nintendo’s impact on the gaming industry and her expectations for the future, including the possibility of a ‘Switch 2’.
Our conversation covered various topics, from work-life balance to Zelda remakes and Keza’s personal encounters with gaming legend Shigeru Miyamoto. Enjoy!
Why Nintendo for This Book?
Keza MacDonald: Nintendo has played a pivotal role in shaping modern gaming, serving as a blueprint for the industry’s evolution and innovation. From expanding the gaming audience with the Wii to setting trends with games like Animal Crossing, Nintendo’s influence is undeniable. Understanding Nintendo is key to understanding the world of gaming.
The company’s history of pushing boundaries and setting industry standards makes it a fascinating subject to explore in depth.
Research Process for the Book
Keza’s extensive experience covering Nintendo games and interviewing key figures within the company over the past two decades provided a wealth of research material for her upcoming book. Drawing from past interviews with notable developers like Eiji Aonuma and exploring existing literature on Nintendo, Keza delved deep into the company’s history and impact on the gaming world.
Her hands-on approach included revisiting classic Nintendo games and immersing herself in the company’s rich gaming legacy.
Choosing Nintendo Franchises for the Book
Selecting the 12 Nintendo games to feature in her book was a challenging task for Keza. While iconic franchises like Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon were obvious choices, she also wanted to highlight titles that shed light on Nintendo’s hardware innovation and broader impact on the gaming industry. Games like Nintendo Labo and Metroid provided unique perspectives on Nintendo’s creativity and influence beyond traditional gameplay.
By including a mix of well-known titles and lesser-known gems, Keza aimed to showcase the diverse and innovative spirit of Nintendo’s game development.
Navigating Success and Failure at Nintendo
Keza emphasized the importance of understanding Nintendo’s history of success and failure as integral to grasping the company’s unique approach to game development. Nintendo’s willingness to take creative risks and explore unconventional ideas, as seen in products like Nintendo Labo and WarioWare Twisted!, sets the company apart from its competitors.
Embracing failure as a necessary part of the creative process, Nintendo continues to push boundaries and innovate in the gaming industry.
Writing Schedule and Publishing Process
Regarding her writing process, Keza outlined a more structured approach to working on her upcoming book compared to her previous projects. Allotting dedicated time to focus on writing allowed her to make progress while balancing her other professional commitments.
As for the publishing timeline, Keza shared insights into the lengthy process involved in bringing a book to fruition, highlighting the complexities of coordinating with publishers and navigating the industry’s timelines.
Hopes for the ‘Switch 2’
Speculating on the future of Nintendo’s hardware, Keza expressed curiosity about the potential ‘Switch 2’ and how Nintendo might build upon the success of the Switch platform. While acknowledging Nintendo’s recent focus on established franchises and less experimental projects, she remained intrigued by the company’s capacity for surprise and innovation.
Anticipating the evolution of Nintendo’s gaming consoles and the continuation of its hybrid console strategy, Keza looked forward to what the future held for the iconic company.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Our thanks to Keza for sharing her insights with us. ‘Super Nintendo: How One Japanese Company Helped the World Have Fun’ is scheduled for release in Spring 2026.
