There’s been talk for some time now that Nintendo will be merging its home console and handheld divisions into one super-group. While we here at Nintendojo would like to think of this “group” as something akin to Nsync, or perhaps One Direction, for the younger audience out there, the truth is Nintendo is looking to build a better company going forward. In fact, if this occurred, it would be the company’s first major restructuring since 2004.
According to reports, the following has been stated:
“In an effort to create more innovative and attractive products, Nintendo Co. will combine the development segments for its home video game consoles and handheld game devices,” a translation of the report reads… The decision comes on the heels of recent releases of the Nintendo 3DS portable system in February 2011 and the Wii U home console last month. With more people using their smartphones and tablets for entertainment via the Internet, including games and videos, Nintendo aims to come up with next-generation game systems that will turn heads.
This merger will marry 130 employees from Nintendo’s console development teams with 150 from its handheld division to create a single department. This merger will reportedly go into effect on February 16.
The reports go on:
Game system development projects are becoming larger and taking longer to complete as the machines become more advanced. Nintendo apparently has its sights set on speeding up these projects by sharing development processes for consoles and handheld devices where possible and by reassigning personnel depending on the situation. It sees interactions between engineers as a potential hotbed of new ideas.
Source: IGN