Shortly after the launch of Nintendo’s latest console, the Wii U, reports have surfaced stating that the Japanese video games giant is to merge its handheld and console development divisions.
According to Nikkei.com, the aim is to create better synergy between the divisions, particularly as Nintendo has received stiff competition from mobile phone gaming and third party console developers such as Ouya.
“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.
Nikkei.com added that this will be the first major organizational restructure since 2004 and that the two merged divisions will share the basic technology and know-how of all the systems and the merge should also streamline the development of any further consoles.
According to the report, “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.”
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor