Nintendo: core games in development

Nintendo has denied neglecting core gamers and claims to have new projects based on existing IP in development with "all development teams".

"We have never neglected our core gamers. We still have developers working on popular core gaming franchises but we need longer to complete these games, approximately two to three years," the company told the October issue of Edge.

"These games are not ready to launch in early 2009 but are being worked on by all development teams."

The statement was published at the end of - although apparently not in response to - a ten-point list outlining the magazine's interpretation of Nintendo's decision to focus on profitable casual products with lower overheads.

It echoes comments made by company president Satoru Iwata in Forbes last month. "If there is any perception that Nintendo is ignoring the core gamers, it's a misunderstanding and we really want to get rid of that misunderstanding by any means," Iwata had said.

Nintendo took a hit with the core demographic last month after its E3 press conference was devoid of announcements for key IP like Mario and Zelda - although Iwata did say both teams were "hard at work" to "bring new titles to Wii".

The platform holder also unveiled Animal Crossing: City Life and Wii Music, and promised a winter release for a DS version of Grand Theft Auto.