Nintendo Europe closing Großostheim headquarters, 130 jobs lost

Nintendo of Europe is closing its headquarters in Großostheim, Germany with the loss of 130 jobs, the company has announced.

The business will now be run out of Nintendo's Frankfurt office, with its Großostheim building and warehouse sold off.

In a statement provided to Eurogamer, Nintendo said the decision would allow it more long-term flexibility to changes in the games business.

"Nintendo of Europe has entered into a consultation process on a number of changes it is intending to make to its European business which, in the long term, will better enable the European business to adapt to the rapidly changing business environment.

"The measures include the consolidation of the current European headquarters in Großostheim (Germany) to Frankfurt (Germany), the closure of the warehouse and office in Großostheim, as well as outsourcing and reorganising some functions.

"These intended measures have not been made lightly and have only been arrived at after thorough analysis and careful consideration. The intended measures will sadly have a direct effect on some of the employees based in the Großostheim and Frankfurt offices in Germany and would lead to the release of approximately 130 permanent employees.

"Nintendo of Europe is committed to a fair consultation process with the local Works Council in Germany with the objective of providing clarity and support for all affected employees as soon as possible."

Nintendo is due to lay out its plans for the remainder of 2014 during an E3 broadcast next Tuesday at 5pm UK time. Look for news on Smash Bros., Nintendo's upcoming NFC toys and the new Wii U Zelda.