Iwata: Retail won't be replaced by digital distribution for another 20 years

During the Q&A that followed Nintendo's financial announcement this week, president Satoru Iwata answered a question regarding the online ratio for Wii and DS, and also revealed that he does not see digital distribution replacing retail for at least another 20 years.

"Most radical people even dare to say that retailers will be replaced by digital distribution in no time, but personally, I think it will still require a significant amount of time," he said. "In other words, it will require many years and months for the majority of video game purchase to become digital. In short, in 20 years or so I might say it will have probably changed. But in five years or so, I do not totally agree with opinions that no one will purchase titles at retailers by then.

"Habits of life do not change such radically and quickly. Especially for the expanded audience of various people, to whom we are and will be trying to appeal, I believe their habits will change more slowly."

Full transcript is through here.

Thanks, GoNintendo.