Nintendo touts high employee retention rate after loss of Microsoft jobs rocks Xbox Game Studios
The elimination of approximately 9,000 Microsoft jobs had a significant impact on Xbox Game Studios. In recent years, the gaming world has become increasingly unstable, affecting publishers and developers. However, Nintendo has avoided this turmoil, with lower workforce turnover compared to industry averages. Fresh data continues that trend, with less than two percent of employees in Japan leaving between April 2024 and March 2025.
Even in other regions, turnover percentages were considerably under the average of 22.6%. Nintendo of America posted a mark of 5.1%, while European Nintendo came in at 6%. As Nintendo Everything notes, once hired, most workers stay with the company for extended periods. In Japan, employees remained with the gaming giant for an average of 14 years, with slightly shorter tenures in the United States and Europe.
Analysts have attributed a positive workplace culture to why Nintendo workers rarely explore other opportunities. Focusing on existing successful IPs, its team members have a clear understanding of the company's direction. Nintendo is also generous with benefits like health insurance and paid leave.
Nintendo also handles game development differently from Xbox. With most first-party Switch and Switch 2 games produced in Japan, Nintendo takes a hands-on approach with its developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft scooped up studios around the world, only to soon cut ties with many of the same creators.
Although most of the attention has been on the shedding of Microsoft jobs, Nintendo hasn't avoided controversy. In 2022, the company faced accusations stemming from contract-based Nintendo of America jobs in the United States. These temporary employees reported poor treatment to the National Labor Relations Board. Their complaints centered on a lack of benefits and potential for advancement afforded to their full-time counterparts.
