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Nintendo apologizes for calling its customers "geeks and otaku"

June 14, 2008 in News comments 13

A few days ago Laurent Fischer, managing director of marketing at Nintendo of Europe, was asked about the problems many gamers have been complaining about regarding low storage space on the Wii. Fischer laughed off the claims and said that only "geeks and otaku" want more storage space on the Wii. Needless to say, this caused uproar amongst Wii-owners.

Today Fischer apologized for his statement, saying that he "didn’t use this terminology in such a context or way to cause offence".

Nintendo Europe’s senior marketing director, Laurent Fischer, has issued a statement to videogaming247 saying he regrets saying that only “geeks and otaku” care about the issue of Wii storage, and never meant to cause offence.

“I have huge respect for those who, like me, share a common passion for Nintendo and want to make it clear that I would never use and I didn’t use this terminology in such a context or way to cause offence,” he said.
Miss Razz via videogaming247.com »
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  • -2
    Big A2 Jun 15, 08
    I supose any hardcore is a geek, so the statement is pretty much true if you don't take it to offence.
  • 0
    Aussie Legend Jun 15, 08
    quote Him
    he regrets saying that only “geeks and otaku” care about the issue of Wii storage, and never meant to cause offence.
    What did he mean to point out then

  • 0
    Bale Fire* Jun 15, 08
    That the Wii is only for casual gamers, before everyone turns on me I am saying this in all seriousness. Such a statement clearly shows Nintendo's continued leaning towards the casual market, if I owned a Wii I would be more than a little scared.
    • 0
      Storm Jun 15, 08
      And it's the casual gamers that will likely never see this interview?
    • 0
      Final Blade Jun 15, 08
      How does that even remotely go with the fact that he calls Wii owners who likes storage "Geeky" and "Otaku"?

      Fact is, he shouldn't have used it in the first place if he didn't know how Wii owners would take it.
  • -1
    Benedict Jun 15, 08
    LOL. I've never heard a 'geek' being siad by nintendo... Where?

    But this is LOL. 'Specially one of the comments on the orig article.
  • 0
    Miss Razz Jun 15, 08
    I got a lol out of his apology. If he didn't mean to offend Wii owners, then he wouldn't have used two words who's primary meaning are insults.
  • 0
    Tromonator133 Jun 15, 08
    What a jerk. He shouldn't be making fun of Wii customers.
  • 0
    nflsmc Jun 15, 08
    They should give us a hard drive just to make it up to us...
  • 0
    Dragoshi1 Jun 15, 08
    Geek? No. Otaku? Maybe. More storage space? Yes please
  • 0
    Distortion Jun 15, 08
    People sure are sensitive aren't they?
  • 0
    redneonfish Jun 15, 08
    I don't own a Wii, but i've played one. Good console, so are the 360 and PS3. I'ld consider myself "hardcore" but tbh, it's not really offensive being called a geek. Who cares.
  • 2
    BANDITO ATTACK Jun 16, 08
    lolol this is how nintendo feels about their core fanbase, after decades of loyalty. you're all otakus and geeks. they traded you in for the kool kids who only play mario party for a few minutes before they go do something else.

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