Iwata explains why Nintendo won't release its games on other platforms

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has emphasised his staunch opposition to the idea of bringing Nintendo games to other platforms, saying that such a move would only be good for "short-term" profits.

Speaking to CVG, Iwata said he was focused on Nintendo's long-term goals. "If I was to take responsibility for the company for just the next one or two years, and if I was not concerned about the long-term future of Nintendo at all, it might make sense for us to provide our important franchises for other platforms, and then we might be able to gain some short-term profit," he said.

"However, I'm really responsible for the long-term future of Nintendo as well, so I would never think about providing our precious resources for other platforms at all."

Earlier this year games industry legend Ian Livingstone said Nintendo needs to bring its titles to other platforms. In July, Nintendo explained why it wouldn't bring characters like Mario to mobile.

Iwata continued by saying that Nintendo is a unique company because it develops software and hardware in tandem. "What I believe is that Nintendo is a very unique company, because it does its business by designing and introducing people to hardware and software--by integrating them, we can be unique. And because we have hardware and software developers in the same building, they stimulate each other," he said.

"And those kinds of conditions have enabled us to create something that no other companies can create. Those kinds of backgrounds are there behind the fact that such a number of great Nintendo franchises exist, and those great franchises always shine for people around the world."

"I would say that the people's expectations about what will come next from Nintendo is becoming higher and higher," he said. "So we are facing more challenges than ever--that's true.

"But it's nothing new for Nintendo. Nintendo is a company that has never stopped progressing, and when it comes to the fan-base, of course, we have to sustain that, but we are always trying to expand that."

Yesterday, Nintendo confirmed it was selling its Wii U hardware for a loss.