Nintendo is reportedly considering outsourcing IP to more external studios

Nintendo is reportedly “deep in conversation,” with external studios to work on its first-party IP.

That’s according to GamesIndustry.biz journalist Chris Dring, who claims the company is looking to find new partners for its next console.

“I also know that Nintendo is actively meeting with independent developers to find new partners,” wrote Dring.

“Some of that is around publishing indie games, which Nintendo does from time to time, but it’s also seeking studios that could work on some of its IP. Nintendo regularly works with third-party teams, including Bandai Namco, Team Ninja, Platinum Games, MercurySteam, WayForward, and Grezzo.

“But the company is looking to add to that roster, and I know of three studios that are deep in conversation around making games based on Nintendo brands.”

Platinum worked alongside Nintendo EPD to develop Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard. It would go on to develop Astral Chain exclusively for Switch, and later partner with Nintendo again to revive the Bayonetta series, bringing the third entry in the once multi-platform franchise only to Nintendo’s console.

Meanwhile, California-based WayForward worked on the recent Advance Wars remakes, and Spanish studio MercurySteam has developed recent Metroid games.

Although the company is yet to comment publicly, Nintendo’s next-generation console is widely expected to launch this year, after VGC reported that development kits are in the hands of developers as the platform holder prepares its plans.

According to Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based game industry consultancy Kantan Games, Nintendo’s Switch successor will launch this year and will likely be an iteration of the current hardware design, rather than a revolution.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa declined to comment on plans for the company’s next console in November, as it announced Switch had cleared 132.46 million lifetime sales.