Nintendo Fully Acquires Monolith Soft: A Change That Matters Little

Nintendo has officially acquired complete ownership of Monolith Soft, the studio known for developing the Xenoblade Chronicles series and assisting in titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Previously holding 96% of the shares since 2011, this final acquisition likely won't change Monolith's established pattern of creating RPGs exclusively for Nintendo platforms. Although there's uncertainty regarding new, original IPs from Monolith, the release of Xenoblade Chronicles X for Nintendo Switch is expected in March next year, catering to a long-standing fan demand.

Monolith Soft's complete ownership by Nintendo means the studio will likely continue focusing on developing exclusive titles for Nintendo platforms, as it hasn't released a game outside this ecosystem since 2006. Fans can anticipate the upcoming release of Xenoblade Chronicles X for Switch, but no new original IP announcements are currently confirmed.

Monolith Soft has been a significant player in developing RPGs over the past decade, especially with the success of the Xenoblade Chronicles series. Launched in 2010, the series has gained a dedicated fanbase for its rich storytelling and immersive worlds. The upcoming release of Xenoblade Chronicles X marks the studio's continued commitment to delivering high-quality RPG experiences for Nintendo players as speculation grows around the next generation Switch console.