In a recent editorial Patrick Goss, an MSN journalist, is asserting that it is time for Nintendo to retire Mario. He draws comparison to Disney's Mickey Mouse, who no longer stars in their headline films but still serves as a mascot for the company.
If Mario retires, then Nintendo will focus on more creativity and innovation and not resort to plugging Mario everywhere. So what you do think, time for the plumber to hang up his plunger?
To quote: Take a company like Disney. Even though Mickey Mouse is still the company’s mascot and a worldwide megabrand, he no longer stars in their headline films.
And perhaps without Mario to fall back on Nintendo will continue on their brilliant track of creativity and innovation - and not resort to forcing the old workhorse into cameos in games not worthy of his presence.
So, for me, Mario should be allowed to bow out on a high, leaving a legacy that I don’t think any gaming character wil... More »
The software giant says the management shake up has nothing to do with its proposed buyout of Yahoo.
Microsoft Corp. announced the departure of several executives Thursday, among them a Silicon Valley veteran recruited to help fix its unprofitable Web business and one in charge of marketing Windows Vista, and the promotion of more than a dozen others across the company.
The changes come just two weeks after Microsoft offered to buy Web portal and search competitor Yahoo Inc. for more than $40 billion, a move industry watchers broadly see as an admission that Microsoft's own Web strategy had failed.
If the proposed Yahoo (YHOO, Fortune 500) takeover is completed, Microsoft is expected to make more radical changes as it blends the two companies into a more formidable challenger to Google Inc., the dominant player in the lucrative Internet search and advertising markets.
Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said Thursday's announcement is un... More »
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