Nintendo of America (NOA) recently underwent a reorganization of its Product Testing functions in an effort to drive greater global integration in game development efforts. This restructuring also aimed to better align NOA with interregional testing procedures and operations. As a result of these changes, some contractor assignments have ended while a significant number of new full-time employee positions have been created.
According to a report from Kotaku, over 100 contractors have been affected by this restructure, with most of those being converted to full-time positions appearing to be moved out of software testing. Roughly 120 contractor positions have been eliminated, resulting in the need for the contractors’ agencies to offer severance packages and assistance during their transition. While Nintendo has expressed gratitude for the contributions of these contractor associates, the move has still had significant repercussions on the individuals involved.
Nintendo has attempted to internalize this reorganization as a strategic move to “better integrate” testing across its offices rather than a “cost-cutting measure”. The company has denied any impact on existing full-time employees at NoA, suggesting that the changes have focused primarily on the contractor workforce. This news comes amidst a wave of difficulties in the video game industry, with mass layoffs occurring at Xbox, PlayStation, and various other publishers, developers, and even indie studios. The chain reaction of layoffs and restructurings highlights the challenges facing the industry as a whole.
The Kotaku report also notes that there has been a “lull” in the testing department at NoA recently, with no “major first-party games” in the “testing pipeline”. This observation raises questions about the future of game development at Nintendo and how the reorganization will impact the testing of upcoming titles. The lack of activity in the testing department may be a cause for concern among employees and fans alike, as it suggests a potential slowdown in the release of new games from the company.
Nintendo of America’s recent reorganization of its Product Testing functions has had a significant impact on contractors, with over 100 positions being eliminated. The company’s attempt to frame this move as a strategic integration of testing processes may not fully alleviate concerns about the future of game development at Nintendo. As the video game industry continues to face challenges and layoffs, it is crucial for companies to navigate these changes thoughtfully and transparently to maintain trust with employees and consumers alike.
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