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Forums - Gaming Discussion - Analysis of Nintendo

Nintendo's Total Number of employees: 5,195 internal, 1,988 external (as of September 30, 2013)

Nintendo has 7 main inhouse software development teams 5 in Kyoto and 2 in Tokyo

Kyoto Software Development Group 1

Led by Hideki Konno
Current Project: Mario Kart 8
Recent projects: Mario Kart 7, Nintendogs+Cats, Nintendo DSi Sound, Mario Kart Wii
This group is responsible for Mario Kart and Nintendogs. It is probably just one team with part of the team that temporarily separates for Nintendogs. There probably isn't going to be anything coming out from  this group after Mario Kart 8 for a while likely to be Mario Kart for their Next Gen Handheld.

Kyoto Software Development Group 2
Led by Hisashi Nogami
Current Project: Wii Sports Club
Recent projects: Wii Sports Club, Animal Crossing Plaza, Nintendo Land, Animal Crossing New Leaf
This group is the main force for Animal Crossing and the main Wii titles. There are likely two "teams" one that works on Animal Crossing and another that works on the Wii titles. The former is probably working on Animal Crossing U for Winter 2014 and the latter is probably trying to finish Wii Sports Club as fast as it can with a project on the backburner

Kyoto Software Development Group 3
Led by Eiji Aonuma
Current Project: The Legend of Zelda Wii U
Recent projects: Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds, Windwaker HD, Skyward Sword, Spirit Tracks
It's pretty clear this is the Zelda group. They likely separate into two "teams", one for the handheld and one for the console. Interestingly, Windwaker HD was directed by the guy who directed the DS ones while ALBW was directed by someone else

Kyoto Software Development Group 4
Led by Hiroyuki Kimura
Current Project: ???
Recent projects: Pikmin 3, New Super Luigi U, New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Mario Bros. 2
I'm not really sure how this one is structured. I do know that NSMB2 was a separate team from NSMBU but unsure on the rest. I'm also unsure on what they are going to do next. Working on a next gen 2D mario seems a bit early so I don't think so but maybe. Likely working on something NFC related

Kyoto Software Development Group 5
Led by Tadashi Sugiyama
Current Project: ??? 
Recent projects:Steel Diver Sub Wars, Wii Fit U, Star Fox 3D, Steel Diver
This group is primarily dealing with Wii Fit and helping Vitei with Steel Diver. I expect if a new Star Fox is in development, these guys will have a hand in it. They could also be doing something NFC or something demonstrating Wii U GamePad

Tokyo Software Development Group 1
Led by  Takao Shimizu
Current Project: ???
Recent projects: Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre( with indieszero), Photo Together with Super Mario, LoZ: Four Swords Anniversary Edition (w/ Grezzo), LoZ: Ocarina of Time 3D(w/ Grezzo)
This group supervises the Zelda remakes and does guides. If Majora's Mask 3D was being made, these guys would be codeveloping it. 

Tokyo Software Development Group 2
Led by Yoshiaki Koizumi
Current Project: Next 3D Mario
Recent projects: NES Remix(1+2)(with indieszero), Super Mario 3D World, Flipnote Studio 3D, Super Mario 3D Land
These are where the Galaxy team is. Confirmed in an interview that they are working on the next Mario. Seems to use the gamepad a lot more. They have close to 100 employees

Software Planning & Development (SPD)

This is a division of the development group is led by the veterans but is filled with younger employees. There are 4 development group plus one in the SDD Department. Most of these groups don't seem to do their own projects but rather help with other projects' development

SPD Group 1
Led by Yoshio Sakamoto, Katsuya Yamano (supervisor)
Current Project:???
Recent Projects: Game & Wario (w/Intelligent Systems), Tomodachi Life, Kiki Trick, Rhythm Heaven Fever
These guys seem to be in charge of Tomodachi, Rhythm Heaven and non-Retro Metroid as well as a hand in the Warioware. It seems they have a main team with a Wario/Rhythm Heaven sub team.

SPD Group 2
Led by Hitoshi Yamagami
Current Project: X, Bayonetta 2
Recent Projects: Wonderful 101, Fire Emblem Awakening, Style Savvy Trendsetters, Pandora's Tower
It seems this group pitches a hand with Fire Emblem games and 2nd Party games

SPD Group 3
Led by Kensuke Tanabe, Keisuke Terasaki (sub-manager)
Current Project:???
Recent Projects:  Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, Lego City Undercover, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Fluidity Spin Cycle
This group seems to pitch in with Western 2nd Party Development plus Paper Mario. maybe working on next Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Wii U

SPD Group 4
Led by Hiroshi Sato, Toshiharu Izuno
Current Project:???
Recent Projects: Mario Golf: World Tour, Mario Party Island Tour, Mario & Luigi Dream Team, Wii Party U, Mario Tennis Open
This team seems to help with the party games and Mario spinoffs. They've also helped iNis, Cing and Paon. Probably working with Nd Cube on Mario Party 10

Software Development Group
Led by Kouichi Kawamoto
Current Project:???
Recent Projects: Band Brothers P, Brain Age: Concentration Training
This team is fairly special to actually develop games on their own so we could see a new IP from them relatively soon or they are working on stuff for QoL

Nintendo Software Technology
This is the Western branch of Nintendo software development based in Redmond Washington
Led by Shigeki Yamashiro
Current Project: ???
Recent Projects: Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the move, Wii Street U, Crosswords Plus, Wii U Chat (with NERD and Vidyo)
It's unknown what they are going to work on next. Maybe Mario and Donkey Kong again ifthe demo was any indication. Probably QoL stuff too. I think they probably have a hand in NA's Virtual Console though I can't be too sure. That may just be Treehouse. Based in Redmond, Washington. 

Integrated Research & Development (IRD)
The main hardware division that recently merged with handheld division, the Research & Engineering Development. It originally had 4 teams for each division. 

Nintendo Technology Department
The western counterpart to IRD, it also develops development kits for 1st and 3rd Party. Based in Redmond, Washington.

Nintendo European Research and Development (NERD)
Based in Paris, France, it was formerly Mobiclip famous for its Actimagine Video codec which was commonly used for displaying videos of mobile and Nintendo devices. Developed Wii U Chat with NST and Vidyo and the Wii U Browser

Nintendo System Development(SDD) Formely Nintendo Network Service Database
This was formerly Wii no Minna, an entertainment channel for Japan. Then, with the introduction of the eShop, they turned into this and have been converted to Nintendo Network maintenance and programming. they also help with third party online infrastructure. They were renamed in 2013. Currently has >100 employeesThey really should beef this up much more at least in talent. they developed Miiverse and the eShop

1st Party Studios

1-UP Studio(formerly Brownie Brown)
# of Employees: 25
Current Project:???
Recent Project: Super Mario 3D World , Fantasy Life (with Level 5, Super Mario 3D Land, A Kappa's Trail, London Life in Professor Layton and the Last Specter(Level 5)
It consists of many ex-Square Co., Ltd. 2D artists including two people who had worked on the Mana series. Underwent a infrastructure change last year and changed into 1-UP Studio. This studio is mostly a co-development team now so don't expect to get a game from them soon. 

HAL Laboratory
# of Employees: 143
Current Project: ???
Recent Projects: Kirby Triple Deluxe, Kirby's Dream Collection, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, Kirby's Mass Attack,  Kirby's Epic Yarn, Face Raiders (3DS)
Originally was a developer of games for MSX and Commodore VICS-20 in 1980s then switched over to Nintendo once they came around and succeeded . They mostly make Kirby games now so they could be working on a Kirby Wii U game though they have a surprising amount of employees for the rate of games they do.

Creatures Inc.
# of Employees 82
Current project:???
Recent Project: Pokepark 2, Pokedex 3D, Pokemon Ranger Guardian Signs, Spin Six, helped with Pokemon X & Y
It's the successor to Ape Inc. but has been working on Pokemon stuff for a while, particularly the 3D Models of Pokemon. If Pokken is a really thing, its likely these guys are helping. They could also be doing that Pokemon Detective game

Intelligent Systems
# of Employees: 130
Current Project: Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem
Recent Projects: Daigasso! Band Brothers P, Game & Wario, Paper Mario Sticker Star, Crashmo, Fire Emblem Awakening, they also make a variety of middleware tools for Nintendo
Intelligent Systems likely has many teams and has released the most games for each Nintendo system of any Nintendo Studio. They are likely working on a few more games including probably a new Paper Mario.

Monolift Soft
Two studios, one in Tokyo and the other in Kyoto
# of Employees: 108(as of March 31, 2013)

Tokyo Studio
Current Project: X
Recent Projects: Xenoblade Chronicles, Disaster: Day of Crisis, Project X Zone, Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier EXCEED
Originally founded by former Square employees after Chrono Cross and Xenogears after recieving an Investment from Namco. In 2007, Namco sold 80% of its hold to Nintendo and the remaining 16% in 2010. Their main focus seems to be their own original RPGs so it seems they'll mostly be busy with X for the rest of 2014 and maybe start a new IP after it is done

Kyoto Studio
# of Employees: 30(as of July 2013)
Current Project: ???
Recent Projects: Legend of Zelda: A Link Between World, Pikmin 3,Animal Crossing New Leaf
The Kyoto studio is mostly an art studio supplying art assets for Nintendo games. While they did show concept art when hiring a  little while ago, I don't think they have any programmers.  Founded in July 2011, after Nintendo's acquistion of the studio

Nd Cube
# of Employees:???
Current Project:???
Recent projects: Mario Party: Island Tour, Wii Party U, Mario Party 9, Wii Party, Tube Slider, FZero: Maximum Velocity
Originally former in 2000, the Studio had a mass exodus in 2006. In 2010, Nintendo bought 98% of the remaining shares in a addition to the 78% they had already owned. Studio is filled with former Mario Party devs after Hudson's purchase by Konami. We're likely to see a Mario Party 10 from these guys, hopefully a bit more like the early entries.

Retro Studios
# of Employees: 51-200
Current project: ???
Recent Projects: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze,  Donkey Kong Country Returns, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, assisted Mario Kart 7
They were originally made of former Acclaim employees in 1998 and attempted 4 original projects that were quickly cancelled in favor of Metroid Prime. Since they are done with Tropical Freeze, the have started their next game already indicated by the frequent Job postings. As for what the project is, there hasn't been signs as from that Metroid pin at VGX. 


My Hummingbird

3DS Friend Code: 047387541842

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Dividing into 2 posts for a bit more convienent appearance

2nd party Studios/Partners

AlphaDream- Mario & Luigi, Hamtaro. Originally were prominent Square employees
Ambrella-Pokemon Rumble, Pokemon Ranch, Pokemon Channel (originally part of marigul Entertainment)
Arika- Dr. Luigi, 3D Classics, Endless Ocean, Tekken 3D. Former Capcom exployees that did the Street Fighter EX series
Arzest- formerly Artoon, Yoshi's New Island, Wii Play Motion, Time Travelers(character models), Additional features in Streetpass Plaza
Camelot Software Planning- Golden Sun, Mario tennis, Mario Golf. They originally made the Shining game for Sega
Curve Studios- Fluidity
Eighting- Kuru Kuru Kururin , Master of Illusion. Former Compile staff
Game Freak- Pokemon, Harmoknight, Drill Dozer, Mario & Wario
Ganbarion- Wii Fit U(helped), Pandora's Tower
Genius Sonority- Denpa Men, Pokemon Battle Revolution, Pokemon Typing. Originally worked on Dragon Quest games
Good Feel- Yarn Yoshi, Kirby's Epic Yarn, Wario: Shake It, Mii Force, M&L Dream Team (Giant Battles)
Grezzo-Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Legend of Zelda: 4 Swords Anniversary, Flower Town. founded by Koichhi Ishii who worked on the Mana series
indieszero- NES Remix, Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre, Sennen Kazoku, Electroplankton
iNiS- Osu! Tatakae Ouendan (includes EBA)
Jupiter- Mario's Picross, Pokemon Pinball, Picross
Kuju Entertainment-Art Academy, Battalion Wars
Monster Games- Excite Truck/Bots, Pilotwings Resort, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Next Level Games- Super Mario Strikers, Punch Out!, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Noise- Custom Robo. (Other part of Marigul Entertainment)
Paon- DDK Barrel Blast, DK Jungle Climber, DK King of Swing, Glory of Heracles
Platinum Games- Wonderful 101, Bayonetta 2
Red Entertainment Corporation- Fossil Fighters, Project Hackers
Sandlot-Chōsōjū Mecha MG, Zangeki no Reginleiv.
Skip Ltd- Chibi Robo, Art Style, Captain Rainbow
Suzak- Wario: Master of Disguise, GBA F-Zero
syn Sophia- Style Savvy
Tose- The Legendary Starfy, Game & Watch gallery, Super Princess Peach
Treasure- Sin & Punishment , Wario World
Vanpool- Dillon's Rolling Western
Vitei- Steel Diver, Rock N Roll Climber

 

Partnerships with 3rd Party Publishers

Tecmo Koei- Nintendo owns license to Fatal Frame 4, Spirit Camera and FF2 remake on Wii, they are working on Hyrule Warriors, made Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge, Pokemon Conquest, Other M, exclusive Nintendo content in ports of Samurai Warriors 3, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, Samurai Warriors Vs.
Namco-Bandai- Nintendo owns about 1.73% of them in stock, is working on Super Smash Bros. and Wii Sports Club, worked on Mario Super Sluggers. Made Mario Kart Arcade,Exclusive costumes in TTT2
Square Enix-Nintendo published Bravely Default and Dragon Quest in the West, they worked on Mario Sports Mix, Fortune Street and Mario 3-on-3 Hoops
SEGA- made Sonic Lost World and Colors exclusive to Nintendo systems, exclusive Nintendo DLC in Lost World, Mario and Sonic at Olympic Games series, Yakuza 1+2 HD Wii U, exclusive Virtual Console and 3D Classics
Level-5- The Professor Layton series though it seems to have expand with its 7th entry. Inazuma Eleven series in Europe, Guild series exclusive to 3DS aside from Liberation Maiden

 

 

Current Release Schedule

Bravely Default-2/7- Published
Donkey Kong Tropical Country Freeze- 2/14- Retro Studios
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy- 2/28- Published (Level-5)
Yoshi's New Island- 3/14 - Arzest
Disney's Magical World- 4/11-Published
Mario Kart 8 - May-Nintendo EAD Kyoto 1
Wii Sports Club (Baseball and Boxing)-2014-Nintendo EAD Kyoto 2
Kirby Triple Deluxe-2014- HAL Labs
Mario Golf: World Tour-2014-Camelot
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS- Sora Ltd. with Namco Bandai
Bayonetta 2-2014- Platinum Games
X- 2014- Monolift Soft
Hyrule Warriors-2014-Tecmo Koei
Fossil Fighters: Infinite Gear- TBA-Red Entertainment
Yarn Yoshi- TBA-Good Feel
Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem-TBA- Atlus and Intelligent Systems
Legend of Zelda U- TBA- Nintendo EAD Kyoto 3

 



My Hummingbird

3DS Friend Code: 047387541842

Nice read. Always cool to see how many dev teams are in Nintendo, their history, and their current game project. It's a great way to guess which game may be coming up soon.



Damn I can't believe I read it all! Very informative.



"Games are a trigger for adults to again become primitive, primal, as a way of thinking and remembering. An adult is a child who has more ethics and morals, that's all. When I am a child, creating, I am not creating a game. I am in the game. The game is not for children, it is for me. It is for an adult who still has a character of a child."

 

Shigeru Miyamoto

IIRC, they currently have somewhere around 7000 employees now, no?



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So many studio's yet so far hardly any games for wii u.



There sure r a lot of ??? On that analysis... Come on Nintendo, tell us what ur up to! Nice read though gj



                  

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Jizz_Beard_thePirate said:
There sure r a lot of ??? On that analysis... Come on Nintendo, tell us what ur up to! Nice read though gj


Nintendo mothballs a lot of projects, so they don't usually announce them unless they know it is coming out. (Softwarewise.)