One on One: Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo of America
In an interview with the head of NOA.
In an event in New York this week, Nintendo had demonstration booths where people could play with its new Wii U, a game console that can be operated with a touch-screen controller. It also introduced Nintendo TV, its new online video service that is intended to make its Wii U competitive with set-top box systems like the Apple TV, Google TV and Roku.
Reggie Fils-Aime, president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, sat down to explain the company’s goals with the new television service and Wii U. An edited transcript of the interview follows.
Q.
You introduced the Wii U, the next-generation Wii with a touch-screen controller, last year. What’s new now?
A.
This week we pull it all together. We’re showing more games and unveiling the Nintendo TV service and how we’re approaching the entertainment space. Nintendo TV is the one place that will have all of your video entertainment in one place. If you subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime plus your cable box — if you’re trying to watch an episode of “Modern Family,” you might have to go to three different places to try to find out what’s available. This service puts it all in one place, so you can literally sort by titles, sort by actors and directors, and the service aggregates all of your viewing options. That’s the Nintendo TV service.
Q.
Why is Nintendo getting into TV?