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[Not_A-Cop_Maybe]

Do take note, all Japanese companies tend to have good retention rates. Because quitting your job and finding another one isn't seen as a good thing in Japan. Many companies simply won't hire you because you quit to look for something different or something better.

Yeah, if you thought in North America going into job interviews and being asked about "gaps" in your resume or career was pointless and unwarranted, its worse in countries in the Asian hemisphere.

 

[Danjin44]

I'd be more interesting to see how that compares to other big Japanese publishers.
Aren't Japanese companies known for not really firing people unless absolutely necessary? You even read stories about some people being put in boring empty rooms with nothing for them to do in the hopes they eventually just quit.

 

[Moriarty1889]

It appears Nintendo actually values their employees…..what a novel concept and breathe of fresh air compared to MS.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Never change Ninty!

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Japan values culture and good products.

America values quick profits. Which is 1000X worse.

More like:

Traditional Japanese companies value their employees, understand they are the engine of the company's success and treats them with respect and clear concern for their wellbeing and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, modern Western companies see their employees (even skilled employees like engineers) as a low value commodity resource that they can hire and fire at will, under the delusion that doing so will not have any impact on their bottom line or long-term prospects. MS is an archetypical example of this.

 

[Vaquilla]

Do take note, all Japanese companies tend to have good retention rates. Because quitting your job and finding another one isn't seen as a good thing in Japan. Many companies simply won't hire you because you quit to look for something different or something better.

Nintendo of America's retention rate was also very high at 95%, so its not just a Japan thing.

 

[MayauMiao]

I hope the 2% are all of the DEI staffers.

 

[Knightime_X]

To be fair, don't devs in japan do actually everything?
Code games, janitor work, a little this and that?

Meanwhile, american jobs will open temp positions for minor tasks and layoffs will happen guaranteed because the position is not permanent.

 

[Robb]

Though in principle this is a very good thing, you also need a bit of change and staff rotation to let in new ideas. It's not easy to strike that balance. This extreme is preferably to the madness of Western studios, no doubt.

They've been able to keep it up despite growing a lot over the years (8,205 as of 2025).

So there's definitely a lot of new talent coming in and, I assume, getting trained by the old guard.

I'd be more interesting to see how that compares to other big Japanese publishers.
Aren't Japanese companies known for not really firing people unless absolutely necessary? You even read stories about some people being put in boring empty rooms with nothing for them to do in the hopes they eventually just quit.

The retention rate in Japan is very high on average, around 70%.

But yeah, other game publisher specific stats would be fun to see.

 

[semiconscious]

I'd be more interesting to see how that compares to other big Japanese publishers.
Aren't Japanese companies known for not really firing people unless absolutely necessary? You even read stories about some people being put in boring empty rooms with nothing for them to do in the hopes they eventually just quit.

 

[Xion_Stellar]

Yes OP if I had a business in Japan I too would have a high retention retention rate not because I'm some sort of saint or the messiah of the video game industry that some people tend to view Nintendo as but because Japanese labor laws prevent me from laying off people at the drop of a hat.

In fact if you were to view the retention rate of any Japanese business that isn't based on a dying industry then you might see a similar result...... almost as if everyone in the country is forced to comply with Article 16 of the The Labor Contract Act witch prevent the Abuse of Right to Dismissal in the country.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Yes OP if I had a business in Japan I too would a high retention retention rate not because I'm some sort of saint or the messiah of the video game industry that some people tend to view Nintendo as but because Japanese labor laws prevent me from laying off people at the drop of a hat.

In fact if you were to view the retention rate of any Japanese business that isn't based on a dying industry then you might see a similar result...... almost as if everyone in the country is forced to comply with Article 16 of the The Labor Contract Act witch prevent the Abuse of Right to Dismissal in the country.

Shhhhhh they prefer to believe that Nintendo is a magic land made of candy and dreams and cheap LCD screens.

Sony Japan Studio staff where going to work to sit down and scratch each others balls for nearly a decade before Sony could get rid them for a reason...

 

[Vaquilla]

Yes OP if I had a business in Japan I too would have a high retention retention rate not because I'm some sort of saint or the messiah of the video game industry that some people tend to view Nintendo as but because Japanese labor laws prevent me from laying off people at the drop of a hat.

In fact if you were to view the retention rate of any Japanese business that isn't based on a dying industry then you might see a similar result...... almost as if everyone in the country is forced to comply with Article 16 of the The Labor Contract Act witch prevent the Abuse of Right to Dismissal in the country.

The average retention rate for Japanese companies is 70%; well below Nintendo's.

任天堂、驚異の新入社員定着率「ほぼ100％」…なぜ社員が辞めないのか

世界累計販売台数が1億台を超えた「Nintendo Switch」と共に、さまざまな大ヒットソフトを送り出し続け、ゲーム業界をリードし続ける任天堂。日本でも屈指の人気を誇る大企業だが、その新入社員定着率が“ほぼ100％”であることが注目を集めている。ゲーム業界の待遇が良く人気が高いのは確かだが、任天堂の定着率は驚異的だ。なぜ任天堂は社員が辞めないのだろうか。

biz-journal.jp

Nintendo of America's retention rate is also 95%.

 

[Xion_Stellar]

The average retention rate for Japanese companies is 70%; well below Nintendo's.

And that's why I specifically specified ignoring business based on dying industry because Japan has alot of those and thus comply with the guidelines of the law that allows them to layoff people more easily.

The Video Game industry isn't in this category so they can't fire people that easily.

 

[Vaquilla]

And that's why I specifically specified ignoring business not based on dying industry because Japan has alot of those and thus comply with the guidelines of the law that allows them to layoff people more easily.

Can you provide any actual data to support the notion that a large portion of Japanese companies are in dying industries as you say, or are you writing yourself a loophole specifically so you can engage in childish console warring?

 

[Xion_Stellar]

Can you provide any actual data to support the notion that a large portion of Japanese companies are in dying industries as you say, or are you writing yourself a loophole specifically so you can engage in childish console warring?

What I'm your local data analyst for Japan Times? Go ask Grok or something like that I don't have the time or willingness to look this up for you.

 

[Vaquilla]

What I'm your local data analyst for Japan Times? Go ask Grok or something like that I don't have the time or willingness to look this up for you.

So you have no data to support your claims, you're just trolling, good to know.

 

[Xion_Stellar]

So you have no data, you're just trolling, good to know.

Neither do you.

But the point here is that Nintendo isn't a special snowflake in the Japanese Game Industry and it all comes down to everyone being forced to comply with Japanese Labor Laws

If you want a meaningful data filled discussion as to the schematics of this then your in the wrong place for that.

 

[Vaquilla]

Neither do you.

But the point here is that Nintendo isn't a special snowflake in the Japanese Game Industry and it all comes down to everyone being forced to comply with Japanese Labor Laws

If you want a meaningful data filled discussion as to the schematics of this then your in the wrong place for that.

Data's right here:

任天堂、驚異の新入社員定着率「ほぼ100％」…なぜ社員が辞めないのか

世界累計販売台数が1億台を超えた「Nintendo Switch」と共に、さまざまな大ヒットソフトを送り出し続け、ゲーム業界をリードし続ける任天堂。日本でも屈指の人気を誇る大企業だが、その新入社員定着率が“ほぼ100％”であることが注目を集めている。ゲーム業界の待遇が良く人気が高いのは確かだが、任天堂の定着率は驚異的だ。なぜ任天堂は社員が辞めないのだろうか。

biz-journal.jp

Japanese average is 70%, Nintendo is 98%.
Nintendo of America, which is not covered by Japan's labour laws, is 95%.

 

[Xion_Stellar]

任天堂、驚異の新入社員定着率「ほぼ100％」…なぜ社員が辞めないのか

世界累計販売台数が1億台を超えた「Nintendo Switch」と共に、さまざまな大ヒットソフトを送り出し続け、ゲーム業界をリードし続ける任天堂。日本でも屈指の人気を誇る大企業だが、その新入社員定着率が“ほぼ100％”であることが注目を集めている。ゲーム業界の待遇が良く人気が高いのは確かだが、任天堂の定着率は驚異的だ。なぜ任天堂は社員が辞めないのだろうか。

biz-journal.jp

I'll give this a read once I get off work

 

[Vaquilla]

The point wasn't really "Nintendo are saints/messiahs" anyway, they're still a company at the end of the day, just that with all the layoffs recently, it's good to see some devs/publishers not ditching their employees for a change. That's all.

With all the bad news, why not spotlight something positive?

 

[blacktout]

Data's right here:

任天堂、驚異の新入社員定着率「ほぼ100％」…なぜ社員が辞めないのか

世界累計販売台数が1億台を超えた「Nintendo Switch」と共に、さまざまな大ヒットソフトを送り出し続け、ゲーム業界をリードし続ける任天堂。日本でも屈指の人気を誇る大企業だが、その新入社員定着率が“ほぼ100％”であることが注目を集めている。ゲーム業界の待遇が良く人気が高いのは確かだが、任天堂の定着率は驚異的だ。なぜ任天堂は社員が辞めないのだろうか。

biz-journal.jp

Japanese average is 70%, Nintendo is 98%.
Nintendo of America, which is not covered by Japan's labour laws, is 95%.

I give you serious props for taking the time to dig up this information for someone who is obviously and transparently arguing in bad faith.

 

[Vaquilla]

I give you serious props for taking the time to dig up this information for someone who is obviously and transparently arguing in bad faith.

It's the source in the OP so it was just two clicks away, but yeah, probably best to ignore.
God forbid we discuss something positive right

 

[Woopah]

I would imagine at Nintendo, they would be some petrol or fighting heads and look across to the likes of SEGA or Capcom and see that their staff were allowed to make such games and also have graphics for a more mature audience or with real life look to them. Nintendo haven't done the likes of that since 1080 on the N64

But I cant find any fault with how well Nintendo as a business is run mind

But that would be well known at this point no? Why would you go work at Nintendo if you're a petrol head or want to make a traditional 2D Fighter?

Surely the vast majority of Nintendo employees are going to be there because they to work on the different types of games they make.

 

[Durin]

Probably one of the reasons their game quality is pretty steady, because they don't brain drain their staff like every other large video game publisher does.

 

[Woopah]

I would imagine at Nintendo, they would be some petrol or fighting heads and look across to the likes of SEGA or Capcom and see that their staff were allowed to make such games and also have graphics for a more mature audience or with real life look to them. Nintendo haven't done the likes of that since 1080 on the N64

But I cant find any fault with how well Nintendo as a business is run mind

But that would be well known at this point no? Why would you go work at Nintendo if you're a petrol head or want to make a traditional 2D Fighter?

Surely the vast majority of Nintendo employees are going to be there because they to work on the different types of games Nintendo makes.

 

[yurinka]

They are the market leader for a reason

The market leader gaming and consoles is Sony, not Nintendo.

Nintendo is only market leader in the portable consoles market, where their only competition there are small companies like Soulja Boy and Ambernic.

 

[Hero_Select]

The market leader gaming and consoles is Sony, not Nintendo.

Nintendo is only market leader in the portable consoles market, where their only competition there are small companies like Soulja Boy and Ambernic.

Nintendo sells more consoles, more games, higher volume of game releases, have Japan completely on lock and actually have a profit at the end of the year.

So no. It's not Sony lol. Especially current Sony with their disastrous GAAS push.

 

[Team Andromeda]

But that would be well known at this point no? Why would you go work at Nintendo if you're a petrol head or want to make a traditional 2D Fighter?

Surely the vast majority of Nintendo employees are going to be there because they to work on the different types of games Nintendo makes.

I was just giving examples. I just find Nintendo so boring

But to most people, a job is a job and you can't fault Nintendo's job security

 

[Danjin44]

I was just giving examples. I just find Nintendo so boring

Just because you personally find it boring doesn't anybody else does.

For my taste they making most fun games this gen.

 

[CoreyFlawless]

Retention rate at my place like easy over 50% every year

 

[Buggy Loop]

That guy's tag and the reply from Vaquilla

 

[Tams]

Do take note, all Japanese companies tend to have good retention rates. Because quitting your job and finding another one isn't seen as a good thing in Japan. Many companies simply won't hire you because you quit to look for something different or something better.

This isn't as true now though.

Recruitment is one of the bigger employers in Japan, and that's all about poaching employees and taking a commission to do so.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Same employees because every game is the same shit

 

[Sanepar]

This is expressed on their games high quality.

 

[Euler007]

It's a different culture over there. The meat packing plant probably also has a much lower turnover than american ones.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

They know exactly what to charge since everything is sold out (hardware) and the games keep selling.

Nothing wrong for a company to know their worth and price accordingly.

It's quite an odd thing to see comments like this. Celebrating a large multinational corporation raking in profits to the benefit of no one other than their stakeholders and shareholders. You enjoy spending more than is necessary on things? You love Nintendo so much that you love corporate greed, too?

They do a good job running their business, but to celebrate that as if it's some kind of win, or point of pride for consumers is just gross.

Odd, cringey take for sure.

 

[GateofD]

It is pretty much impossible for a Nintendo game to fail. The IP is so big and the budgets are also relatively much smaller than the rest of the industry. It really is an apple and oranges comparison. Nintendo's framework cannot be replicated by any other major publisher

Western companies are still doing big layoffs even even if the project is a success though

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

It's quite an odd thing to see comments like this. Celebrating a large multinational corporation raking in profits to the benefit of no one other than their stakeholders and shareholders. You enjoy spending more than is necessary on things? You love Nintendo so much that you love corporate greed, too?

They do a good job running their business, but to celebrate that as if it's some kind of win, or point of pride for consumers is just gross.

Odd, cringey take for sure.

I never bought anything Nintendo related since my GameCube. My point was clear: they charge as much as they know their audience will not leave them. I never said anything about wanting to pay more.

 

[Varteras]

Nintendo employees just don't want to shoot themselves in the foot.
I don't know how much the rest of you know about Japanese culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in America where you can become successful by being a quitter. If you screw someone over in Japan, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.
What this means is the Japanese public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to hire you, nor will they purchase any games associated with you. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but Nintendo employees are terrified of alienating themselves from an entire market with this move.
Even if they were to publicly apologize and beg for their jobs back, they can kiss their career goodbye.

 

[yurinka]

Nintendo sells more consoles, more games, higher volume of game releases, have Japan completely on lock and actually have a profit at the end of the year.

So no. It's not Sony lol. Especially current Sony with their disastrous GAAS push.

Sony is not only the market leader in consoles, Sony's has over 50% of the market share. This is measured in the revenue generated, not in units sold.

And does is because Sony generates more revenue in hardware sales, in game sales (because there are way more games sold for PS than for Switch), in software addon sales, in accesories sales and game subs sales than Nintendo. Plus also more outside their console.

And they can do it because Sony has a way bigger active userbase than Nintendo: the active userbase of Nintendo in a whole year is similar to the one that PS has in just a month.

These are all facts, like the one that SIE generates more profit than Nintendo too. And all this worldwide, not just in a secondary country that represents a small percentage of the world's gaming revenue.

And the GaaS push is being very successful: out of sixe released (one of them was a VR game), MLB, GT, Destiny and Helldivers are huge hits. Pretty likely before releasing the second half of them, already recouped the budget to develop all the dozen titles plus the cancelled ones and the non-greenlighted ones. Meaning going forward will be profit to recoup the investment in related acquisitions, which pretty likely already started to recoup.

 

[existensmaximum]

Seems impossible, they are the scum of the earth and they hate every gamer*! How can anyone want to work for this sick company?

*according to Neogaf forum

 

[Team Andromeda]

Just because you personally find it boring doesn't anybody else does.

For my taste they making most fun games this gen.

I found Yakuza Pirate more fun than anything that's come from Nintendo over the last decade

 

[Hudo]

I found Yakuza Pirate more fun than anything that's come from Nintendo over the last decade

Ironically, I found Yakuza Pirate to be the worst Yakuza game of all. Ishin is a far better "Gaiden" game, imho.

 

[Danjin44]

I found Yakuza Pirate more fun than anything that's come from Nintendo over the last decade

Thats your taste and for me Nintendo makes the most fun games.

Just don't assume everyone else will share opinion,

 

[Team Andromeda]

Ironically, I found Yakuza Pirate to be the worst Yakuza game of all. Ishin is a far better "Gaiden" game, imho.

I didn't like Ishin that much myself and found the graphics in that rather dull and a step backwards from the last few Yakuza games.

 

[Hudo]

I didn't like Ishin that much myself and found the graphics in that rather dull and a step backwards from the last few Yakuza games.

Pretty hyped for Stranger Than Heaven, though.