The act of telling good stories and immersing oneself in exciting narratives – whether as readers, viewers or video game players – is something that has always captivated and inspired us human beings, especially in our free time. Although books and video games satisfy our essential hunger for storytelling in very different ways, the appeal of certain content – suspense, adventure, solving puzzles or inventing stories – remains universal. This makes it not only expedient but also desirable to engage in an exchange of ideas across industry boundaries, particularly today in such realms as digital concepts, innovative business models and cooperation opportunities. Nintendo has always worked closely together with companies active in the book industry, which is why we’re more than willing to support a future-oriented initiative such as CONTENTshift. I am both honoured and delighted that I will be able to represent the games industry once again this year on the jury of the funding programme. Dr. Bernd Fakesch
Nintendo is the only company producing portable and TV-based video game consoles as well as the associated game software. Nintendo Switch is the world's first TV console that can also be used as a handheld device, thus making it possible to play video games on home TV screens as well as on the road. The company also produces the mobile consoles in the Nintendo 2DS & 3DS family. Nintendo provides a wide range of gaming software for all of these consoles, including globally popular series featuring such well-known characters as Super Mario, Link from The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong and the Pokémon.
Nintendo’s strategy focuses on games that can be enjoyed equally by children, adolescents and adults. For example, they offer several multiplayer titles that tell exciting stories and provide fun for all generations in the family. Nintendo’s game and console designers always have the people who’ll be playing their games in mind: What do they consider to be ‘fun’? How can we put a smile on their faces? How can we get the entertainment value across to users in a technically optimal manner? Indeed, the special charm of Nintendo games has always emerged from the company’s self-image as a provider of entertainment – as well as from its almost 130 years of experience as a toys and games manufacturer.
General Manager Nintendo Germany/Austria/Switzerland
Dr. Bernd Fakesch was born in Hermannstadt in 1963 and has been general manager of Nintendo Germany since March 2004. In 2013 and 2014, the scope of his responsibility expanded to include Switzerland and Austria respectively. He currently manages all marketing and sales activities for Nintendo’s entire product range on the German, Swiss and Austrian markets.
Fakesch holds a doctorate in business administration and has many years of experience in the entertainment industry. From 1995 to 2004, he was active in senior positions at the international music company BMG. For example, as sales manager of BMG Ariola Miller in Hamburg, he was responsible for overall distribution at the labels Europa and Ariola Express. In 1999, he took on the position of vice president Eastern Europe at the sister company BMG Entertainment. Under his leadership, BMG’s subsidiaries in Poland and the Czech Republic were successfully restructured. In addition, he was also instrumental in the development of BMG Russia.
Fakesch began his career at the University of Augsburg. His academic work focussed on the fields of corporate management and organisation, finance and banking. In 1992, he moved to the private sector, initially as an executive assistant at Moksel AG, where he worked as a project manager to restructure the company in cooperation with Roland Berger. After that, he was active as a consultant on behalf of Bayer and Siemens, among others. Beyond his work in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Fakesch gained international experience in Great Britain, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Israel, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Fakesch is married and has two children. He lives with his family near Frankfurt.
For more information on Nintendo, please visit www.nintendo-europe-media.com.