PlayStation Exec: ‘Never Underestimate Nintendo’

Feb 12, 2019 10:56 AM PST "All of us are better for their efforts."

by Colin Stevens

During his DICE 2019 keynote speech, SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden discussed not only Sony’s place in the gaming market, but how both Nintendo and Microsoft are working to improve the industry in various ways.

In his Beyond Generations keynote, Layden said "The best-selling console of 2018 in the U.S. was… The Nintendo Switch. Nintendo took a massive risk when they brought this to the market. People thought Nintendo might one day be out of the hardware business. People would say things like ‘kids play games on mobile phones and tablets, dedicated portable gaming is dead and gone.’ But as I’ve said before: never underestimate Nintendo... All of us are better for their efforts."

Later in the speech, Layden discussed Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller, which has allowed gamers with disabilities to play games tailored to their specific needs.

“It is our responsibility to continue to broaden the tent, to continue to ensure that everyone can play, all are welcome here,” said Layden. "We must keep striving to make games more accessible, as Xbox has done with its adaptive controller, and we have had the privilege to do with our software titles.”

Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console of 2018, edging out PlayStation 4, which had been the best-selling console most months out of the year. The Xbox Adaptive Controller was released in September, and became known to the general public through a tear-jerking Super Bowl commercial.

Colin Stevens is a news writer for IGN, and he loves when his console parents aren’t fighting. Follow him on Twitter.

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