One of the many lovable faces of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime, is preparing to retire from the gaming company before the end of 2019. According to a new announcement from Nintendo, Reggie Fils-Aime will leave his current position on April 15, 2019. Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s current Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, will then be replacing Fils-Aime as President.
Fils-Aime has been with Nintendo for many years, having originally joined the company in 2003 before taking over as President of Nintendo of America in 2006. This timeline translates to him having been intimately involved with the development and sales of hardware dating all the way back to the Nintendo Gamecube and Game Boy Advance platforms.
The press release for this announcement included some kind words for Reggie. “I really appreciate everything Reggie has done for Nintendo,” said Shuntaro Furukawa, President of Nintendo Co., Ltd. “Inside and outside our company, Reggie is known as an exceptional leader. We are grateful that he is leaving the business in good shape with strong momentum. While we will miss him and we wish him the very best in his retirement, we are also pleased to have such an able successor ready to step into that role. Doug Bowser and the rest of the team will ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum for Nintendo.”
Fils-Aime himself had warm words for the gaming company he has spent the last 15 years with. “Nintendo owns a part of my heart forever,” Fils-Aime said. “It’s a part that is filled with gratitude – for the incredibly talented people I’ve worked with, for the opportunity to represent such a wonderful brand, and most of all, to feel like a member of the world’s most positive and enduring gamer community. As I look forward to departing in both good health and good humor, this is not ‘game over’ for me, but instead ‘leveling up’ to more time with my wife, family and friends.”
Though it will be sad to see him go, gamers everywhere will have been happy to know such a great character and personality in the games industry. And in case you want to see more of this glorious person in action, check out a great little compilation of some of his funnier moments down below.
