The reason Nintendo is so strong, is because they DON'T buy these developers. Its the key difference between them and everyone else - and its *very* smart.
Every studio purchased adds a LOT to the yearly, base cost of the company. Its money that has to be covered regardless of what they are doing, how well they are doing, what games they are working on - etc.
Its much smarter to keep these studios on a "work for hire" program - you contract them out for a single project - they can't dick you around. If they miss milestones, the project is pulled - and the company falls over. As a result, the company works hard (extra hard), and does what they need to do in order to meet the milestones, and get the game done.
A studio has to truly excel, and fit in perfectly with Ninty's vision of the future for them to consider purchasing them outright. This is exactly what companies like Silicon Knights were let go - instead of picked up.
You can be sure SK have sucked up a lot more cash then they have given back with the release of Too Human - and thats just one example.
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Nintendo's "development dream" is currently coming true - get 5-10 people to make a game, for no more than 2 years - then sell 10m copies over 5+ years, and make a heap of money. Brain Training at its best.
Gesta Non Verba
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