Nintendo’s Full Ownership of Monolith Soft: A Look at the Exclusive Gaming Relationship

Monolith Soft, Developer of Xenoblade Chronicles, Now Fully Owned by Nintendo

Monolith Soft, the renowned developer behind the popular Xenoblade Chronicles series and a key support studio for games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is now completely owned by Nintendo. This acquisition solidifies the long-standing partnership between the two companies, with Nintendo holding 96% of Monolith Soft’s shares since 2011. As of now, Nintendo has acquired the remaining 4%, officially making Monolith Soft a fully owned subsidiary.

Monolith Soft’s Rise to Prominence

Over the past decade, Monolith Soft has emerged as a prominent player in the gaming industry, particularly with its critically acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles series. These expansive and immersive RPGs have garnered a loyal fan base and have showcased the developer’s expertise in creating captivating gaming experiences. Additionally, Monolith Soft has provided invaluable support on various Nintendo titles, including Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and the Splatoon series.

Implications of Nintendo’s Full Ownership

While the transition to complete ownership by Nintendo may not bring significant changes to Monolith Soft’s operations, it underscores the strong partnership between the two entities. With Nintendo’s backing, Monolith Soft can continue to focus on developing high-quality games for Nintendo platforms, maintaining its reputation as a top-tier game developer.

Despite the ownership change, it is unlikely that Monolith Soft will deviate from its current trajectory. The developer has primarily released games exclusively for Nintendo platforms, with its last non-Nintendo title dating back to 2006. This alignment with Nintendo’s ecosystem is expected to remain unchanged in the foreseeable future.

Future Projects and Releases

While details about Monolith Soft’s upcoming projects remain scarce, fans can anticipate the arrival of Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Nintendo Switch in March next year. This highly anticipated release has been long-awaited by fans and is poised to be a significant addition to the Switch’s lineup. As Nintendo gears up for the launch of its next-generation console, the Switch 2, Monolith Soft’s continued collaboration with the gaming giant ensures a promising future for both companies.