Science & Technology

Nintendo raises Switch forecast to 24 million units on pandemic gaming boom

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2020/11/17 15:09

Today's Vocabulary

1. boom (n)
a period of sudden economic growth, especially one that results in a lot of money being made       

2. franchise (n)
a right to sell a company’s products in a particular area using the company’s name

3. demand (n)
a need for something to be sold or supplied

4. cautious  (adj)
not acting quickly in order to avoid risks; careful  

5. transitory (adj)
lasting for only a short time

6. curbs (n)
a limit on something that is not wanted

7. imposed (v)
to officially force a rule, tax, punishment, etc. to be obeyed or received

Nintendo raises Switch forecast to 24 million units on pandemic gaming boom

Japan’s Nintendo Co Ltd on Thursday said it expects to sell 24 million of its Switch games consoles in the year ending March 2021, up from a forecast of 19 million but still seen as cautious, as the COVID-19 pandemic drives a gaming boom.

The Kyoto-based gaming company also hiked its operating profit forecast by 50% to 450 billion yen ($4.3 billion) as titles such as “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” bring new consumers to the Switch in its fourth year on the market.

Home of the enduring “Super Mario” franchise, Nintendo had been reluctant to increase forecasts despite strong sales of its Switch system, saying the boost from consumers stuck at home could prove transitory.

Nintendo said it sold 12.5 million Switch devices in the first half of the financial year, comprising 8.4 million hybrid home-portable Switch consoles and 4.2 million portable-only Switch Lite devices.

Lockdowns and curbs imposed around the world to tackle the new coronavirus have reduced entertainment options for many, suggesting there will be continued demand for gaming over the year-end shopping season.

Sony Corp and Microsoft Corp will release next-generation consoles next week, adding to competition for the Switch. 

Resource: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nintendo-results/nintendo-raises-switch-forecast-to-24-million-units-on-pandemic-gaming-boom-idUSKBN27L0QH

Discussion
  1. What’s your favourite games console, and why?
  2. Do you prefer gaming alone or with other people?
  3. What is the best game maker in the world?
  4. What’s your favourite games console, and why?

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Shigeru Miyamoto

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