Nintendo has acquired longtime collaborator Next Level Games, as per Gematsu.
The Canada-based developer has worked on games for Nintendo platforms for multiple console generations, most recently Luigi's Mansion 3 on Nintendo Switch.
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Nintendo Acquires Luigi's Mansion 3 Developer Next Level Games
Here's what Nintendo had to say about the deal"
"Next Level Games is a video game development company based in Vancouver, Canada which has nearly two decades of experience creating video games for various console platforms. More recently, Next Level Games has worked exclusively with Nintendo in developing software titles for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch systems, including titles in the critically acclaimed Luigi’s Mansion series of video games," a statement reads.
"Next Level Games’s shares are currently held entirely by its owner-directors and employees. A number of owner-directors recently determined that the time is right for them to sell their shares, and Next Level Games therefore began exploring potential sale transactions. Completion of the Acquisition will serve to secure the availability of Next Level Games development resources for Nintendo, including development expertise, as well as facilitate an anticipated improvement in development speed and quality by enabling closer communication and exchange of staff with the Nintendo development team."
"The Acquisition is expected to close on March 1, 2021, pending satisfaction of all relevant terms and conditions, including shareholders’ approval, regulatory approval under the Investment Canada Act and other customary closing conditions."
Prior to Luigi's Mansion 3, the developer had worked on Mario Strikers titles on Gamecube and Wii, as well as 3DS iterations of Luigi's Mansion and Metroid Prime.