Nintendo Co of Japan has found their new CEO in Tatsumi Kimishim after former CEO Satoru Iwata passed away late last month. Mr.Kimishim is no stranger to the world of videogames as he has been with Nintendo Co since 200 and he has held a number of positions with the company or its affiliates (The Pokémon Company and Pokemon USA) holding such roles as Chief Financial Officer, President of Pokemon USA and President of Nintendo of America. Before coming to Nintendo Kimishim’s worked at Sanwa Bank of Japan.
Alongside the announcement of the new CEO Nintendo has merged several of its divisions together including the two former divisions that handle its hardware and operating systems into one “Platform Technology Division”. Several key executives including Miyamoto will have new roles within the restructured company.
Here’s the full statement via Nintendo Enthusiast:
Nintendo is combining the Nintendo Integrated Research & Development Division (responsible for everything related to producing Nintendo’s console hardware and associated peripherals) and the Nintendo System Development Division (which handles Nintendo Network service programming and System Development Kits) into one new branch called the Platform Technology Development Division. This new group will be in charge of the development of Nintendo hardware, operating systems, development tools, and network. The newly-formed division will be overseen by Ko Shiota, formerly the Deputy General Manager of Nintendo Integrated Research and Development Division.
Next up, the Entertainment Analysis & Development Division and the Software Planning Division, Nintendo’s two main game development branches, are being merged into one large development group called the Entertainment Planning & Development Division. Shinya Takahashi, the former General Manager of the Software Planning Division, will be in charge of this team branch.
Additionally, Nintendo has established a new branch called the Business Development Division. This new division will be responsible for “refining the business model for the dedicated video game system business,” while also overseeing Nintendo’s smart phone plans and IP licensing.
Under this restructure, Shigeru Miyamoto and Genyo Takeda will have new roles as well. Miyamoto and Takeda were previously the General Managers of Nintendo EAD and IRD respectively, but those two branches no longer exist. They will continue to serve as Representative Directors and Senior Managing Directors, but not as General Managers.