Shigeru Miyamoto on gaming: less focus on graphics, more on gameplay
Intelligence Summary
- Shigeru Miyamoto shares his vision for gaming’s future, putting gameplay ahead of technical specs.
In short
- Shigeru Miyamoto says gamers care less about graphics and performance, and more about unique gameplay experiences.
- The Nintendo Switch opened up the hybrid gaming market, and the Switch 2 is now one of the fastest-selling consoles.
- Miyamoto stresses the importance of efficiency in the game production process.
GAME-scanner analysis
Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s legendary game designer, has recently shared his view on the current state of gaming. He believes that gamers today are less focused on technical specifications such as graphics and performance. That marks a notable shift in the industry, where hardware power has long been the main talking point. Miyamoto’s comments come at a crucial moment, with the Nintendo Switch 2 posting record sales and the first-generation Switch consoles being phased out in Europe. It suggests Nintendo is focusing on innovation and ease of use rather than competing purely on technical specs.
Miyamoto’s emphasis on gameplay and efficiency in the production process may also be a response to the challenges smartphones pose for game development. The varying performance of mobile devices makes it difficult to deliver consistent experiences, underlining the need for a more streamlined approach in the console market.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers, this means the focus will increasingly be on unique and immersive experiences rather than visual spectacle alone. That could lead to more creative and innovative games that highlight what gaming is really about. A stronger focus on gameplay may also give developers more room to experiment with new ideas and concepts.
Timeline
2026-07-26: Miyamoto shares his vision for gaming and Nintendo’s future.
2026-07-27: The discontinuation of the first-generation Switch in Europe is announced.