Leadership Change at Nintendo of America
Doug Bowser, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America, has announced his retirement after more than a decade with the company. His last day will be December 31. Bowser has been a key figure in the company’s success, and his departure marks the end of an era.
New Leadership
Bowser will be replaced by Devon Pritchard, a veteran of the video game industry with almost 20 years of experience. Pritchard has been an executive Vice President for Revenue, Marketing, and Consumers at Nintendo of America and has played a crucial role in the launch of the Switch 2. He will also join the Nintendo of America’s Board of Directors and become a manager of the Nintendo parent company based in Japan.
Expanded Roles
In addition to Pritchard’s new role, Satoru Shibata will join Nintendo of America as CEO and continue his role as managing director and company manager and member of the board of directors at Nintendo. This move is expected to bring new perspectives and ideas to the company.
Reflections on a Legendary Career
Bowser reflected on his time at Nintendo, saying, "One of my earliest video game experiences was the games of the Arcade version of Donkey Kong. Since then, everything Nintendo has been a passion for me and my family." He expressed his pride in the team’s achievements and his honor in leading Nintendo of America.
Passing the Torch
Bowser expressed his confidence in Pritchard’s ability to lead the company, saying, "Now it is time for the next generation of leadership, and Devon’s track record speaks for itself. It is an extraordinary manager, and her promotion is proof of its strong performance and strategic contributions to the growth of the company." Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa also praised Bowser’s contributions, saying he had brought joy to many people through Nintendo.
A New Era
Pritchard is excited to take on his new role, saying, "I am humble and excited to take on this new role. Doug was a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to building on the incredible foundation that he built up." He plans to continue building on Nintendo’s legacy while also welcoming new fans to the Nintendo family. With a focus on characters and worlds that offer something for everyone, Pritchard is poised to lead Nintendo of America to even greater heights.
