With few main video games on the horizon and the Switch 2 seemingly delayed, Nintendo of America's testing division is present process main modifications, in response to a new report from Kotaku that includes a statement from Nintendo.
In its assertion, Nintendo acknowledged that it’s restructuring its inside testing, which can "involve some contractor assignments ending, as well as the creation of a significant number of new full-time employee positions."
"For all assignments that are ending, the contractors’ agencies, with [Nintendo of America's] support, will offer severance packages and provide assistance during their transition," Nintendo mentioned in its assertion. (*2*)
According to the contractors within the report, the restructuring comes as the corporate faces a "lull" in its testing division. The contractors declare that Nintendo has no new main first-party video games on the horizon and that no one has had hands-on time testing the upcoming Switch successor — which was initially rumored to release towards the tip of 2024.
While the official quantity of staff impacted by layoffs is unknown, 4 former and present Nintendo worker claimed in Kotaku's report that the restructuring may doubtlessly have an effect on over 100 employees, and that these being transformed to full-time employment are being moved out of software program testing.
Nintendo's restructuring comes off the heels of a slew of industry-wide layoffs, together with main layoffs from rivals Sony and Microsoft. In January, Microsoft laid off 1,900 workers from its workforce following its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the exit of its controversial former CEO Bobby Kotick — who allegedly received a $15 million "golden parachute" following his departure. In February, Sony laid off roughly 900 staff, together with builders throughout crucial and commercially studios like Insomniac, Naughty Dog, and Guerrilla.
Nintendo not too long ago launched Princess Peach Showtime, which we awarded a 7 in our review. Nintendo can be planning a remaster of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. For more, take a look at our checklist of the biggest games releasing in 2024.
Isaiah Colbert is a freelance author for IGN. You can observe them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh.