Nintendo Pictures Quietly Lends a Hand to Death Stranding 2

It turns out that a Nintendo-owned company had a surprising role in helping shape Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hideo Kojima’s highly anticipated PlayStation 5 title. Nestled in the game’s credits is a name not many expected to see: Nintendo Pictures.

While most associate Nintendo Pictures with creating content based on Nintendo franchises, it turns out the Tokyo-based animation and motion capture studio played a behind-the-scenes role in Kojima’s latest game. They handled motion capture work, a key part of making characters move and feel lifelike in-game.

Before being acquired by Nintendo in 2022, the company was known as Dynamo Pictures, a name familiar to fans of Japanese animation and games. Back then, it was involved in various projects, including CG scenes for Final Fantasy XIII-2, motion capture for Persona 5, Monster Hunter World, and even the first Death Stranding.

After the acquisition, Nintendo rebranded it as Nintendo Pictures to focus more on creating visual content around its own characters, like those in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, and Another Code: Recollection. But interestingly, Death Stranding 2 marks a rare exception.

There’s a chance this work was done either before the acquisition or based on a pre-existing agreement. However, a look at their website hints that Nintendo Pictures may still be open to working with non-Nintendo properties, at least in certain areas like motion capture.

In fact, they’ve been credited in non-game projects as well, like helping with CG production and motion capture for Pretty Cure, an anime series from Toei Animation. It seems the team’s expertise continues to cross boundaries, regardless of platform.

Nintendo Pictures says its mission is to create unforgettable visual experiences with Nintendo’s characters, aiming to resonate with global audiences. But as seen here, they still leave room to collaborate beyond the Nintendo universe—at least occasionally.

So while most of their projects now revolve around Mario, Link, and friends, don’t be too surprised if you spot their name pop up in unexpected places like Kojima’s post-apocalyptic world.

(via VGC)