Nintendo Acquires Full Ownership of Monolith Soft
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Nintendo is now the sole owner of Monolith Soft, the studio behind the Xenoblade Chronicles series, as of late 2024. While Nintendo had already held a controlling interest in Monolith Soft since acquiring 80% of its shares in 2007, and later increasing that to 96% in 2011 by purchasing Bandai Namco's remaining shares, this recent development comes from Nintendo acquiring the remaining 4% of shares owned by Monolith Soft's founders—Tetsuya Takahashi, Yasuyuki Honne, and Hirohide Sugiura. This makes Nintendo the 100% owner of the studio.Monolith Soft has been a key contributor to Nintendo's game library and development efforts, not only

Monolith Soft, the studio behind the Xenoblade Chronicles series and a key contributor to Nintendo’s game library, has now become 100% owned by Nintendo.

Nintendo acquired the remaining 4% of shares from Tetsuya Takahashi, Yasuyuki Honne, and Hirohide Sugiura, following its existing 96% ownership after purchasing Bandai Namco’s stake in 2011. With this move, Monolith Soft is now firmly positioned as one of Nintendo’s most valuable first-party studios.

This acquisition solidifies Monolith Soft’s future as an exclusive developer for Nintendo platforms and ensures that its innovative RPGs remain integral to the company’s strategy. Fans are eagerly speculating about new projects such as a potential Xenoblade Chronicles X remaster or entirely new IPs.

What do you think could be the next big project from Monolith Soft with full ownership by Nintendo?

  • lemmy_get_my_coat@lemmy.worldEnglish
    252·
    7 days ago

    Next big project is definitely some DMCAs and some lawsuits to cripple anyone doing anything out of love even remotely related to that IP

    • brsrklf@jlai.luEnglish
      4·
      7 days ago

      The founders still owned a (very small) part of it, and Nintendo just bought those from them.

      Which may be a bit worrying. People are wondering if Takahashi wants out.

    • finkrat@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      7 days ago

      Depends entirely on if BN retains any stake in the franchise, and if so if they are willing to negotiate with Nintendo on it.

      Considering Nintendo, I doubt it.

    • Signtist@lemm.eeEnglish
      11·
      7 days ago

      It’s essentially a first-party IP now, so you’re just as likely to see the next Mario game on PC as you are to see a Xenoblade Chronicles game on PC.