Nintendo Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma addresses video game industry layoffs

The Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma has addressed ongoing job cuts across the video game industry, stating that Nintendo avoids layoffs to retain talent long term. IMDb, OtakuKart, My Nintendo News, and Tech-Insider all report that Aonuma discussed the topic in an interview with GameSpot following the global release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on the Nintendo Switch 2 console. [1][2][3][8]

My Nintendo News and Tech-Insider both report that Aonuma highlighted the contrast between Nintendo and Western video game developers regarding job security. Aonuma stated that there is a real benefit to keeping staff over the long term because retaining experienced employees preserves creative knowledge within the company. [1][2][3][8]

The comments follow broader workforce reductions across the sector. As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, Microsoft introduced voluntary exit packages for up to 60,000 employees, including staff within its Xbox gaming division. British developer Supermassive Games also laid off more than 70 employees in October 2026 after launching its sci-fi horror title Directive 8020. [9][10]

Separately, Polygon reports that Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed the publisher is not currently considering an additional price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 console. Official promotional material from Nintendo indicates that the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is available exclusively on the new hardware platform. [5][6][7]