Nintendo and PlayStation fans alike were thrown for a loop when they noticed Nintendo’s name in the credits of Sony’s highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The revelation came to light, showcasing that Nintendo Pictures, a subsidiary of the Big N, contributed motion capture work to Hideo Kojima’s latest work.
We now live in a bizarro world where Sony is producing a Legend of Zelda movie while Nintendo is assisting on a Sony-published game. But what exactly is happening behind the scenes of this unexpected partnership?
The Truth Isn’t Always That Exciting
At first glance, it might seem as though Nintendo has thrown its weight behind a PlayStation exclusive; however, the reality is far less sensational. No, Nintendo did not assist PlayStation in the way fans might assume. This doesn’t mean Death Stranding 2 is confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2. However, it’s not impossible given the IP’s status and the original coming to Xbox.
Finding the Death Stranding
The key lies in the timeline of Nintendo’s acquisition of Dynamo Pictures, a Japanese company specializing in motion capture and animation. In July 2022, Nintendo acquired Dynamo and rebranded it as Nintendo Pictures. This move signaled the company’s intent to expand into visual content using its IP.
Since the acquisition, Nintendo Pictures has focused exclusively on Nintendo franchises. However, Death Stranding 2’s development likely began before 2022, when Dynamo was still an independent third-party studio. Dynamo provided motion capture for the first Death Stranding, suggesting a pre-existing relationship with Kojima Productions that carried over into the sequel.
This is a remnant of a deal struck before Nintendo’s ownership, not any strategic alliance with Sony.
Final Thoughts
The unexpected cameo of Nintendo Pictures in the credits of Death Stranding 2 was a fun tidbit to see. It ultimately proves to be more of a quirky footnote than a game-changing milestone.
The prospect of Nintendo and Sony joining forces beyond the realm of The Legend of Zelda movie or PlayStation titles releasing on Nintendo Switch appears highly improbable given the current landscape.
Nintendo’s commanding dominance and notoriously guarded approach make it unlikely to extend a hand to a long-standing rival like Sony.
