For a few months now, rumors have been swirling about the successor to the Nintendo Switch, which many believe could be launched as early as next year.

In an interview with Inverse, Nintendo Of America President Doug Bowser spoke a little bit about the company’s preparations for a new console generation. While he chose not to comment directly about the rumored Switch successor, he did mention that the Nintendo Account will serve as a means to “ease transition” into a new platform, echoing a statement from his Japanese counterpart that the next console will continue using the same account system as the Switch.

Well, first I can’t comment — or I won’t comment, I should say — on the rumors that are out there. But one thing we’ve done with the Switch to help with that communication and transition is the formation of the Nintendo Account. In the past, every device we transitioned to had a whole new account system. Creating the Nintendo Account will allow us to communicate with our players if and when we make a transition to a new platform, to help ease that process or transition.

Bowser also mentioned that one of their goals is to “minimize the dip” seen when shifting from one console cycle to another. Although vague, it could hint that Nintendo wants to retain as many players from the current console generation as possible, which could hint that the new console is probably quite similar to the Switch.

Our goal is to minimize the dip you typically see in the last year of one cycle and the beginning of another. I can’t speak to the possible features of a new platform, but the Nintendo Account is a strong basis for having that communication as we make the transition.

Stay tuned for more updates as they come.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment.