Nintendo Surprises with 30% of Employees Holding Master’s or PhD Degrees

TIG SEA12 hours ago

50 1 minute read

While most Japanese game companies typically employ graduates with bachelor’s degrees, new findings show a surprising trend at Nintendo. More than 30% of its employees have advanced degrees, including master’s and doctoral qualifications, far exceeding the national average in Japan.

Blogger Papen, who specializes in analyzing the gaming industry, conducted a study of Nintendo staff between 2000 and 2023 by reviewing developer blogs, graduation exhibition records, and interviews. Out of 60 Nintendo employees analyzed, 21 were found to hold postgraduate degrees. This is notable when compared with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) statistics from 2020, which reported that only 14.2% of men and 5.6% of women nationwide pursued postgraduate studies.

Normally, Japanese companies are hesitant to hire candidates with advanced degrees due to higher expected salaries and delayed workforce entry from extended education. However, Nintendo seems to be an exception. Evidence suggests the company not only welcomes but may actively seek highly educated individuals to strengthen its teams. Nintendo has also been transparent about salary structures that vary based on education levels.

Most of Nintendo’s postgraduate hires work in engineering, with some PhD holders contributing directly to key innovations such as the Nintendo Switch’s HD Rumble feature. On the creative side, many artists graduated from prestigious schools like Tama Art University and Tokyo University of the Arts, while programmers largely come from science and engineering backgrounds. Game designers, however, represent a more diverse range of educational paths, reflecting the role’s flexible nature.

This data highlights that Nintendo’s success goes beyond marketing and creativity. By valuing advanced education, the company invests in innovation and expertise, which may explain its consistent ability to deliver groundbreaking features and maintain its leadership in the gaming industry.

Final Thought
Nintendo’s willingness to embrace highly educated talent sets it apart from the standard Japanese corporate model. By blending academic expertise with creative vision, the company strengthens its edge in innovation and demonstrates why it continues to thrive in an ever-evolving gaming landscape.