Mario Kart Developer Layoffs
Layoffs Announced at Nintendo's Mario Kart Developer
Restructuring at Nintendo EAD
Nintendo announced layoffs this week at their Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD) studio, the primary developer behind the Mario Kart franchise. The company issued a statement that they will be reorganizing several teams and reallocating resources to focus on new projects.
Impact on Current Projects
The layoffs are expected to affect over 50 employees, primarily those working on Mario Kart Tour for mobile devices and the upcoming Mario Kart 9 for Nintendo Switch. Development of Mario Kart Tour is expected to continue with a streamlined team, but Mario Kart 9 may face delays from its announced Holiday 2020 release date.
Focus on Innovation
Nintendo cited a desire to restructure its teams around “innovative new ideas” and a need to reallocate resources to unannounced titles currently in early development. The company has seen massive success from new IP like Splatoon and hopes to replicate that success on the Switch platform.
While the news of layoffs is unfortunate, Nintendo’s focus on creativity and risk-taking has served the company well. By trimming teams dedicated to iterative sequels, Nintendo is making room to cultivate the next generation of original games and franchises. Their approach may lead to short term growing pains, but aims to ensure long term success through a steady stream of innovative new experiences for players. Time will tell if the gamble pays off, but Nintendo has proven they know how to make games that capture imagination.
Why Nintendo Is Restructuring and Downsizing
Revenue and profit concerns
As Nintendo's revenue and profits have declined in recent years, the company is restructuring to cut costs. Nintendo's operating profit fell by 17% last fiscal year, and revenue from its mobile games and Switch console have slowed. To ensure financial stability, Nintendo is downsizing some of its operations and workforce.
Shift to mobile games
Nintendo is adapting to changes in the gaming industry, including the rise of mobile games. The company has released some of its popular franchises like Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes for smartphones. However, revenue from mobile games has been lower than anticipated. Nintendo is restructuring to focus resources on its most profitable mobile game franchises going forward.
Preparation for next-generation console
Nintendo is likely developing a successor to the Nintendo Switch, which launched in 2017. Restructuring its teams and workforce will allow Nintendo to focus resources on developing its next flagship console. The restructuring may also reflect a shift in company priorities toward its hardware and console divisions. The workforce reduction will cut costs in the short term and provide financial stability for the research and development of new gaming hardware.
The restructuring underway at Nintendo highlights the company's need to cut costs, refocus its mobile gaming strategy, and pave the way for its next big product launch. While difficult, these steps are aimed at ensuring Nintendo's long term success in an evolving industry. With a leaner, more focused organization, Nintendo can continue creating magical gaming experiences for fans around the world.
What This Means for the Future of Mario Kart
Less Frequent Releases
With layoffs impacting teams responsible for developing Mario Kart, it is likely that new installments in the franchise will be released at a slower pace. The series has seen fairly regular releases, with a new Mario Kart title launching every 2-3 years on average since the original Super Mario Kart debuted in 1992. Reduced staffing will make it difficult to sustain this frequency.
Shift to Mobile
Nintendo may opt to focus more resources on developing Mario Kart for mobile platforms rather than traditional consoles. The mobile version of Mario Kart Tour has proven hugely successful, reaching over 150 million downloads. While console releases generate more revenue, mobile titles have lower development costs and reach a wider base of casual players.
Possibility of Outsourcing
If further layoffs significantly impact Nintendo’s in-house development capabilities, the company may turn to outside studios to continue the Mario Kart series. However, Nintendo is generally reluctant to outsource its most valuable intellectual properties. Mario Kart is one of the company’s flagship brands, so outsourcing risks losing creative control and brand integrity.
While concerning for long-time franchise fans, these potential outcomes do not necessarily spell the end of Mario Kart. A slower release cadence and shift to mobile could reinvigorate the series by building anticipation and engaging new audiences. And selective outsourcing, if pursued strategically, may enable Nintendo to cut costs while still retaining creative oversight. The future of Mario Kart remains unclear, but with prudent management, this kart racer can stay on cours