Since the start of 2024, the games industry has seen a huge number of layoffs from almost every major publisher and developer.

This unfortunate trend has now hit Nintendo, specifically the testing center in Washington where the company tests its games and hardware. According to a report published by Kotaku, this testing center is undergoing “restructuring” which has seen many of its contractors being let go, although some have been converted to full-time employees. In an email sent to the publication, Nintendo had this to say about the restructuring efforts:

Nintendo of America (NOA) has reorganized its Product Testing functions to drive greater global integration in game development efforts. The changes will also better align NOA with interregional testing procedures and operations.

These changes will involve some contractor assignments ending, as well as the creation of a significant number of new full-time employee positions. For all assignments that are ending, the contractors’ agencies, with NOA’s support, will offer severance packages and provide assistance during their transition.

For those contractor associates who will be leaving us, we are tremendously grateful for the important contributions they’ve made to our business, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their hard work and service to Nintendo.

Although not explicitly confirmed by Nintendo, some are speculating that the downsizing is linked to the rumored delay of the Switch’s successor. Speaking to Kotaku, anonymous contractors said there was a “lull” in testing, and “there had been no new major first-party games in the testing pipeline”. Furthermore, ” none of them were aware of anyone having hands-on time with the upcoming Switch 2″.  They also expressed uncertainty that Nintendo would be able to playtest massive projects such as The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom after the downsizing.

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