Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal: A Stock Surge and a Director's Ire
Nintendo's stock price soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while game director Hideki Kamiya unleashed his fury on those responsible for pre-release leaks. This article delves into the financial ramifications and the passionate response from a prominent figure in the gaming industry.
A Positive Market Reaction
As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025 VGC interview, Nintendo's share price experienced a significant boost after the Switch 2 reveal. The company's average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, gradually climbing as leaks surfaced online. The announcement, however, propelled the price to a peak of $15.77 USD, a record high for the year.
Toto attributed this surge to investor relief. Concerns about a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, due to overly experimental design, were eased by the Switch 2's more iterative approach, mirroring a successful "iPhone-like" strategy. While some fans expressed dissatisfaction with the console's name and design, Toto suggested that the clear lineage to the original Switch would avoid a similar commercial failure.
Despite the positive market response, Toto acknowledged that pre-release leaks significantly diminished the impact of the official announcement, stating that the reveal lacked the same punch as the original Switch's 2016 unveiling. The announcement itself provided limited details, with a promised Nintendo Direct on April 2 to unveil specifications, launch titles, and pricing.
Kamiya's Outrage at Leaks
Hideki Kamiya, renowned director of titles like Resident Evil, Okami, and Bayonetta, voiced his strong disapproval of the Switch 2 leaks on Twitter (X). His message was a colorful condemnation, wishing a rather unpleasant fate upon those involved.
Kamiya contrasted this experience with the successful surprise reveal of Okami at The Game Awards, highlighting the shared excitement of a spoiler-free announcement. He criticized the leakers for prioritizing personal gratification over the potential impact on Nintendo's marketing strategy and overall success.
Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated Kamiya's sentiments in a pre-announcement YouTube video, confirming Nintendo's intense displeasure with the leaks.
The broader impact of video game leaks on industry excitement and sales remains a concern, though Nintendo has yet to directly address the damage caused by the Switch 2 leaks.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
One point of contention among leakers is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two primary theories have emerged: a communication function (codenamed "Campus") enabling voice chat, screen sharing, and other online features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers; and mouse-like functionality, potentially transforming the Joy-Con into a mouse cursor for improved control in games like first-person shooters. The latter theory gains some credence from the way the Joy-Cons are depicted in the announcement trailer.
Ultimately, the April 2 Nintendo Direct will provide definitive answers regarding the "C" button and other unanswered questions surrounding Nintendo's latest hybrid console.
