Nintendo confirms move but exec departures are "speculation"
Nintendo has officially confirmed to <i>GamesIndustry.biz</i> that it is opening new offices in San Francisco and New York, but that rumours of senior executives quitting the company are "speculation".
Nintendo has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that it is opening new offices in San Francisco and New York - but dismissed rumours that senior executives are quitting the company as "speculation".
"I can confirm that Nintendo will be opening regional offices in Silicon Valley and New York City this autumn," a spokesperson said.
"To ensure we are poised to drive our business forward and remain an industry leader, we will be better positioned by expanding our US presence to the hotbed of technology in Silicon Valley and to the world-wide media centre in the heart of New York City."
Nintendo of America intends to keep its company headquarters in Redmond, Washington, but will relocate the media and sales divisions to New York and San Francisco.
It is this move that earlier reports claimed has lead to around 90 per cent of the company's 80-strong sales and marketing team quitting the company.
It was also suggested that leading executives Perrin Kaplin, George Harrison and Beth Llewelyn would be departing from Nintendo.
"In terms of the execs leaving we have not heard anything regarding that speculation - and it remains speculation," the spokesperson told GI.biz. "We are not commenting further on those rumours at this time."
Nintendo is adamant that the establishment of new offices is essential to promote continuing growth. "We believe it is important to expand our presence into two key markets that have proven to be leaders in creativity, technology, media and business. With offices in Redmond, Silicon Valley and New York, Nintendo will be well positioned to grow and drive this industry," explained the spokesperson.
"The decision is an NOA-NCL management decision. We all believe this is the best move to ensure we raise the bar as we live, work and breathe in the centre of technology over the next decade and beyond. We are hoping employees will see the benefit and in fact, increase morale as we show everyone how you can take it up a notch even in different locations."