News tidbits – NdCube, Mario Party, Metroid: Other M, and Wii Party

NdCube

- Started out as a Nintendo subsidiary (GameCube/GBA development)
- Was a joint venture, 78% shares for Nintendo, 13% shares for Dentsu
- Dentsu is Nintendo’s advertising firm
- Company struggled, some employees left for Sony
- NdCube has seen a massive overhaul this year, Dentsu’s shares were bought out, Nintendo now the sole proprietor
- Company is now more of a Nintendo R&D rather than a subsidiary
- Company has expanded, second division in Sapporo and Tokyo established, both are close to Nintendo’s branch offices

Mario Party

- Franchise could become less relevant
- Wii Party has been successful
- Lead staff has left Hudson, joined Nd Cube
- Original staff was a join venture, Monegi, created by Nintendo and Hudson
- Nintendo wanted to capture a larger audience with Wii Party than Mario Party could

Metroid: Other M

- Always had plans for a deep story
- Game development became much different than the game that was first conceived
- Because of the advancement in technology/development, Sakamoto has been able to express the story himself, original design team has encapsulated
- Game is a “romantic” project for Sakamoto
- Ideas thought of by Sakamoto that were formed in past years are in the game

Source

• Cammie Dunaway news wrapup – Wii HD rumors shot down, third-party sales talk, and much more
Published on: November 17, 2009
• XSEED news tidbits – unannounced games and more
Published on: June 23, 2009
• Nintendo News: Mario Helps Kids Swing for the Fences at 2008 Cal Ripken World Series
Published on: August 7, 2008
• Mario Kart Wii launch party at Nintendo World Store
Published on: April 16, 2008
• Mario Party DS press release
Published on: November 19, 2007