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Chinese authorities are hard at work to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus from the city of Wuhan. However, the virus’ effect has rippled even into the world of gaming as the production of one of the most-anticipated console releases this year - the Animal Crossing-themed Nintendo Switch - has been delayed.
Nintendo informed its Japanese customers that the production of the Switch console and its accessories will experience some delays as a result of the spread of the coronavirus in China, The Verge reported. As a result, preorders for the Animal Crossing-themed Switch console has been pushed back.
Originally, the company announced that they will accept pre-orders of the console starting February 8. But with its production in China hampered by the coronavirus issue, Nintendo pushed back preorders for the console to a yet undetermined date, Nintendo Life reported.
Nintendo has already apologized to its Japanese customers for the delay but promised to monitor the situation. It is yet unsure if the production delay will also affect console shipments outside of Japan. The announcement seems to cover only consoles produced in China intended for the Japanese market.
However, there are reports that most of the Nintendo Switch consoles are manufactured by Foxconn. Unfortunately, Foxconn’s Shenzhen manufacturing hub has been shut down for a week due to concerns about the coronavirus.
The company explained that temporarily shutting down its operations is a preventive measure in line with the government’s recommendations. “To safeguard everyone’s health and safety and comply with government virus prevention measures, we urge you not to return to Shenzhen,” Foxconn sent a text message to its employees, Bloomberg reported.
The company did not yet announce when it will resume operations but urged its employees to wait for further notice. “We’ll update you on the situation in the city,” Foxconn continued. “The company will protect everyone’s work-related rights and interests in the duration. As for the happy reunion date in Shenzhen, please wait for further notice.”
Foxconn is an electronics contract manufacturing company based on Taipei, Taiwan. Aside from making Nintendo Switch consoles, the firm also produces iPhones, iPads, PlayStation consoles, and Xiaomi devices.
