Nikkei: Nintendo to launch unified console and handheld division by February 16th

Nintendo plans to merge its handheld and console gaming units into one division to create next generation hardware "that will turn heads," according to a report from Nikkei. It's reporting that the gaming outfit is feeling the heat from the likes of NVIDIA and Ouya on upstart platforms such as Android, and is looking to speed up the development cycle and increase product interoperability. That's why it's bringing the brain power from all its divisions together, and will inaugurate the unified division on February 16th of this year -- transferring in 130 console and 150 handheld engineers, to start. Nikkei said it'll house the new team in a facility next to its Kyoto HQ that'll be completed by the end of the year, seeing it as "a hotbed of new ideas." All this comes on the heels of tepid launches of the Wii U console and Nintendo 3DS gamepad -- making the shakeup none too shocking.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

Comments

Via: IGN

Source: Nikkei (subscription)