Indie Games have become a major part of the video game industry and they have affected the entire direction gaming is going in. Companies like Microsoft have bought indie studios like Mojang, Sony published indie games such as Journey, and Nintendo bought the rights to Snipperclips.
This last point has me wondering something: Should Nintendo expand themselves by acquiring indie studios and indie games? There are several studios that may come to mind such as Wayforward or Playtonic, but perhaps smaller studios that are less well known would be a better fit for the company. Not to say that they should not go after bigger indies as well, but given Nintendo’s nature, the smaller studios can offer just as much and innovate in newer ways that would fit the company better. They could something to Nintendo that they are lacking, and enhance their portfolio.
Innovating does not mean in traditional genres like RPGs, but in different idea altogether. Indie studios are capable of thinking outside the box in ways major companies simply do not, perhaps due to the corporate nature of the major companies. Indie studios have produced games like Minecraft and Five Nights at Freddy’s and these have turned into cultural phenomenon and major success stories. This is the type of newer thinking that would not have been seen at a major company.
Another fact is that there are many indie companies would love to form partnerships with big companies and this could be a way for them to expand. This would also be a way for Nintendo to get some new blood working on new ideas outside of their talent in Japan. It may sound strange at the moment, but soon enough more major companies will try and acquire indie studios. It is just a matter of time.
Disclaimer: The above is the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of ROG or its staff.