Startin to look real good.

They're likely gearing up to make a bigger push in Japan, which is the single biggest mobile gaming and app market in the world today, along with their new partners who have a solid brand and name in the region. It makes sense in many ways to me.
And in some ways it doesn't, for instance; the west is without a doubt where Nintendo needs the most assistance to penetrate the market(s).

The most likely scenario is that the company has fallen on hard times, like many other mobile companies and are embracing the the opportunity to restructure. Both Nintendo and Sony have done the same thing very recently and are both still undergoing changes as we speak, it's not really sensational news from Gamespot at any rate.

no one outside of DeNA and the laid off workers know why they were let go as of yet= but you are glad it happened?  That these peole lost their jobs?  Pretty ignorant commrnt imo unless you know something as fact that the rest of us do not

I think this is what you're looking for:

Iwata: "Development of smart device games will be mainly done by Nintendo, but it is significant that we are forming a joint development structure with DeNA. Nintendo, through experience in the dedicated game system business, is good at making traditional game products. But for smart devices, in addition to the “product” aspect of a game, the aspect of an ever-evolving “service” is very important—a service that encourages consumers to play every day even for a short time. DeNA has extensive know-how in developing the “service” side of things, and will be primarily responsible for the service-oriented operations. We will be able to greatly leverage strengths of each party." http://time.com/3748920/nintendo-mobile-games/

Simply put, they have formed a joint development structure where Nintendo are developing the games and DeNA are developing the service.

[Edit to add] However:

Iwata: "Nintendo, together with DeNA, will jointly develop a new membership service which encompasses the existing Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems, the new hardware system with a brand-new concept, NX, and smart devices and PCs, and Nintendo will be the primary party to operate this new membership service." http://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2015/150317/03.html 

This may explain a few things, but like I said, if the joint development is all happening in Japan, then the restructuring of the workforce in the NA region doesn't seem likely to have an effect on that, unless there's more we don't know, yet.

that's fucked up

Thats not nice, especially when i dont count? (look at my post i explain it wasnt you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

My feelings are ignored? :'-(

If we're all honest with ourselves, the only reason why any DeNA is relevant on here is because they're Nintendo's new partner otherwise this post wouldn't exist, nor would the article and no one would know who or care who DeNA was. Referencing Nintendo is fine at this point

Theres actually nothing negative to derive from the news regarding their Nintendo deal but its obviously of interest in whether the two are related.

I was wrong about DeNA making most of the games- it is opposite but Iwata does say they are still joinlty developing some games as in your quotes supplied above as the DeNA people understand the mobile game business better but Nintendo knows the traditional development much better

how do we know most of the joint development is happening in Japan?    A significant amount of both companies business is in the West and they both have operations/offices in NA  I imagine the back office aspects of the parternship DeNA does will take assets from varius regions of the wolrd in which they have a presence- particularly the english speaking world

I am not trying to say the layoff announcement neccesarliy has anything to do w the Nintendo JV-  but the timing is odd and it may very well effect the partnership directly or indirectly, we just don t know yet-   It will be intersting to see how the market reacts to the news next week-  that will tell us more 

But the story is def timely, of interest abd pertinent to anyone followng either company -  it amy turn out to be nothing or it may turn out to be something much bigger-  we just don t know yet-     The biggest question i have is, did Nintenod know this announcement was coming before they inked the deal?

HEDRA42- thanks for finding the correct quote-  

very well said-   If anyone googles Nintenod/DeNA partnerhsip , nealry all the articles (from gaming sites or not) about the layoffs include Nintendo in the headline as they are the larger more well know company and they were just in the news together