Nintendo Acquires Studio That Worked on Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat Switch Ports
In a surprising turn of events, Nintendo has acquired Shiver Entertainment, Inc., the studio renowned for its work on the Nintendo Switch ports of games like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1. This move has stirred quite a buzz within the Nintendo community, especially considering Nintendo's previously cautious approach to acquisitions.
The gaming industry has seen a dramatic rise in major acquisitions over the past few years. Microsoft’s controversial purchase of Activision-Blizzard and Sony’s acquisition of Bungie are just a couple of examples. Amidst this frenzy, fans have speculated about when Nintendo might make a similar move. Historically, Nintendo has been hesitant to engage in such acquisitions, even publicly stating that it was not actively seeking to buy other companies. This stance made Nintendo's recent acquisition of Shiver Entertainment particularly unexpected.
Shiver Entertainment, the team behind successful Switch ports of popular titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 and 11, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo, following a complete acquisition of its stocks. Although the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, Nintendo has indicated that the acquisition will have only a "minor effect" on its financial results for the current fiscal year.
Despite the acquisition, Nintendo has reassured fans that Shiver Entertainment's primary focus will remain unchanged. The studio will continue to work on game ports, a role it has excelled in. Interestingly, the announcement highlighted that Shiver Entertainment’s future projects will not be limited to the Nintendo Switch, sparking a wave of speculation among fans.
One of the more intriguing theories floating around is the possibility of Shiver Entertainment contributing to PC ports of Nintendo games, though this seems unlikely given Nintendo's history. A more plausible scenario is that the studio will assist in porting games to the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. While Nintendo has confirmed that the next generation of its console is on the horizon, they have yet to disclose specific details, opting instead to keep things under wraps for now.
Shiver Entertainment has a commendable track record, notably improving the initially buggy Mortal Kombat port over time. With their proven expertise, fans are optimistic about what this partnership will bring to the future of Nintendo gaming. As the industry evolves, Nintendo's strategic acquisition of Shiver Entertainment could signify a new era of enhanced gaming experiences for its loyal fanbase.