Report: Nintendo Meeting With Independent Developers to Work on Its IP - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 03 March 2024 / 5,366 Views
Nintendo is reportedly in discussions with third-party developers to work on some of its IP, according to the head of GamesIndustry Christopher Dring.
"I also know that Nintendo is actively meeting with independent developers to find new partners," said Dring. "Some of that is around publishing indie games, which Nintendo does from time-to-time, but it's also seeking studios that could work on some of its IP.
"Nintendo regularly works with third-party teams, including Bandai Namco, Team Ninja, PlatinumGames, MercurySteam, WayForward and Grezzo. But the company is looking to add to that roster, and I know of three studios that are deep in conversation around making games based on Nintendo brands."
MercurySteam developed Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread, while WayForward developed the Advance Wars remakes.
PlatinumGames worked with Nintendo to develop Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard, and would later develop the Switch exclusive Astral Chain. The studio would also partner with Nintendo to bring back the Bayonetta series.
Dring also stated that Nintendo is expanding its internal development capacity as it is working on a new development center and ramping up recruitment due to games taking longer to develop than in the past.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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New F-Zero incoming. You heard here first!
Great news!
This all sounds like good news.
It is. Part of Nintendo strategy is to have IPs be in the 'custody' of certain studios. A lot of the IP's that are dormant don't have a current 'owner', for example Donkey Kong games.
Honestly I'm amazed you don't see more studios try to get in. You'd think, say, all those ex-Bioware staffers wanting to do, IDK, more work with Mass Effect might appreciate the guaranteed eyes by working on Star Fox or something.
Indie devs get work = Pay for the staff.
We get some classic, dormant IPs returning.
If those games are successful both critically and financially, it creates a bigger chance that Nintendo will want to work w/ them again, which means those indie devs can get more work.
I see this as an absolute win!
Oh man, as long as they are gonna manage the product to make sure it is to a high standard (which they obviously will) this could mean higher first party output which would be great. Specifically it could mean not letting some series get lost for a generation (or several).
This could be great.
Switch hasn't had first-party droughts (but some years have been lighter than others), but this would pretty much guarantee droughts wouldn't happen.
This seems like a good time to list off some cool project they could outsource (whether to indies or larger studios): F-Zero, Golden Sun Remake, Earthbound Trilogy Remake, Star Fox, a new Mario RPG, Zelda spin-off, a Wario and Waluigi game and maybe Chibi Robo
Custom Robo! Star Fox! Plz
Hopefully we`ll get some older IPs. Not just Mario and Zelda.
What do we mean by “older” IPs? I think a new Ice Climber’s game would be pretty wild. Sequel to Mario’s Cement Factory?? Arguably the best decision.
Well I mean more forgotten IPs. Like StarTropics, Kid Icarus, Punch-Out!, Golden Sun etc... Not just Mario or Zelda in a new genre.
ahh i see. that makes a lot more sense…though Ice Climbers would still be pretty cool. Even if they just did a remake with upgraded visuals of all their early-1980s titles, selling it in a big compilation.
I really wish Nintendo would plan out there franchise better in the future. We don't need a zillion Mario games. Honestly, the Switch Mario games are overkill
Super Mario Odessey
New Super Mario Brothers U Deluxe
Super Mario Brother Wonder
Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Super Mario Party
Mario Party Superstars
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Super Mario RPG
Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Mario Golf: Super Rush
Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - 2019
Super Mario Tennis
Mario Strikers: Battle League
(Paper Mario remake is in the works, wouldn't be surprised if there's another Mario sports came in the works as well.)
One 3D Mario Game
One 2D Mario Game
One Mario Kart
One Mario Party
2/3 Mario Sports Games at most
One Paper Mario / RPG
IMO remakes of Mario games are not needed, other than Mario RPG. Wish they cut out a lot of the access Mario game they would put those resources/teams to games like Star Fox/F-Zero/Metroid/New Games/Etc.
To be fair you cant blame Nintendo responding to the market and producing more of what sells. Sales are the clearest and most reliable metric for a business in determining what customers want. Furthermore given they still have some work to do in terms of their digital preservation approach, remakes of games, specifically older titles are greatly appreciated by fans. I dont know if its age or something (no offence) but Paper Mario Thousand Year Door is held in great reverence amongst fans and regarded as the best in the series. Yet that title was locked to the Gamecube. A console that didnt sell well meaning supply of copies are restricted and sell for astronomical prices. So the news of a remake was one of the highlights of 2023 for many older Nintendo fans who have been gaming for 20+ years. But i get your sentiment and would love to see other neglected franchises afforded more attention. But if they dont sell then you can understand why Nintendos reluctant.
However i think expanding their development resource is the right approach here. As remakes and remasters are light work development wise and are not the hog on resources you seem to suggest. Therefore they are not the reason you arent seeing the franchises you want. Nintendo wouldve had to increase development resource anyway going into the 4k generation
