Topic: Should Nintendo bolster their Western Development Empire?

Currently, The majority of Nintendo's software development divisions and subsidiaries are Japanese. Nintendo EPD, Intelligent Systems, MonolithSoft, NdCube, HAL Laboratory. With a few Western subsidiaries and partners, Nintendo Software Technology, Retro Studios, and Next Level games being among them. Over the years though, Nintendo's western development has declined in both output and relevancy. NST was locked into MvDK games and Ports after burning bridges with Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Retro Studios has spent 5 years toiling away at... whatever the hell they're making at this point. And Next Level Games isn't even a true subsidiary. It's weird because two major Japanese publishers, Square Enix and Sega, already have quite a few Western developers under their belt.

In the past, Nintendo has said they don't like doing studio acquisitions a lot since they feel a game is nothing without the creative talent behind it, and if those leave, then you get stuck with a big metaphorical paperweight, which is why they prefer co-productions with independent studios over buyouts. But with a new CEO Shuntaro Furukawa, and a change in management over the years, should Nintendo at least do more to bolster a sizable western development empire? Nintendo's got a lot of talent behind them, but I do think they can add a bit more cultural variety to their portfolio with a few acquisitions. It doesn't have to be a Microsoft-level shopping spree, but acquiring a few western studios wouldn't hurt I don't think. Plus, they could help the Switch be even more appealing to Western gamers as well.

They should buy CD Projekt Red. That'd really mess with people!

I think they would be best served ensuring Western devs can put their games on the hardware. They have closed the gap somewhat with the Switch and third party support. Maybe that will widen again a couple of years into next gen cycle, but I don't think they need to resort to buying companies to ensure it doesn't. The main notable Western dev missing in any meaningful way is EA and my enthusiasm for their 'creativity' dwindled years ago. Nintendo's current output is among the best they have ever produced and inspires the industry. They don't need to buy it lol.

Nintendo should buy EA, if they haven't got enough cash then they should just buy the E and save up for the A later.

@TheMisterManGuy No, I think Nintendo has the right idea to make deals with companies rather than buying studios. But I do think they should put more effort into providing incentives for bigger 3rd party companies to release games on their system(s). Especially a few more western titles. I had thought, with the success of Mario + Rabbids that Nintendo would be doing that, but there hasn't been much.

Not that the Switch is lacking games at this point. It's been a steady flow of awesome games for a long time now. But there is always room for more options.