StarTopic Monolith Soft Development and Speculation |ST|

[Dunban]

The Kyoto Studio currently has about 30 employees.

That's less than I imagined.

『あつまれ どうぶつの森』家具デザイン担当 | 京都スタジオ スタッフインタビュー | インタビュー | RECRUIT | モノリスソフト

京都スタジオの採用情報やスタッフインタビューをご紹介

www.monolithsoft.co.jp

The Kyoto group seems positioned to remain a support studio, they even seem to be recruiting more designers and not really any game design or programming roles. Since Honne is back in Tokyo it does make sense, anyone who wants to work on Monolith Soft productions outside of asset support are on the Tokyo side.

 

[Oregano]

There doesn't look to be any change. I'm surprised they even kept the page up this long


Supposedly, some Monolith staff did work on it but are listed individually rather than by company. Also, I don't know if it's exactly the same people or just people named the same

Could be people with the same name, could be people who have moved from one company to another.

I don't see why they would only be credited individually when that isn't the case for other games Monolithsoft worked on or for other studios who worked on Pokémon.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Kind of interesting they got rid of the Production 1 hiring page…….

 

[sanstea]

Anyone have a incremental employee count over the years for MS (preferably with a split between Kyoto and Tokyo staff numbers)?

Like how many employees did they have at one point of time in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, etc.

 

[Momo]

Kind of interesting they got rid of the Production 1 hiring page…….

It must mean one thing. No more Xenoblade.

 

[Dark Cloud]

It must mean one thing. No more Xenoblade.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[ILikeFeet]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

good

 

[sanstea]

Found it myself. Thanks to @Momo and Onix555 on resetera.

January 2022: 273
July 2021: 275
December 2020: 261
April 2020: 248
December 2019: 236
June 2019: 215
January 2019: 193
June 2018: 168
January 2018: 153
April/May 2017: 133
June 2016: 109

I didn't follow their development too much so this puts things into perspective for me. They've grown so much in such a short amount of time which is unprecedented for a Nintendo studio.

If we account for the constant ~30 working in Kyoto over the years, since the launch of XC2 the Tokyo branch has doubled their staff in three years time.

It also seems like the Tokyo branch has hit their growth goal and aren't hiring much anymore - they also don't have endless work space so I would expect their numbers to stay at around ~240 employees for the near future. It seems like they are now focusing more on the Kyoto branch in terms of hiring.

It's crazy saying it out loud that Monolith Soft is Nintendo's second largest development studio. They are bigger than all the studios Nintendo has worked with for two decades or more - they are bigger than HAL, Game Freak, Intelligent Systems, Retro and Next Level Games. Hell, Monolith Soft's Tokyo branch is bigger than EPD Tokyo.

 

[Yellowmus]

It's crazy saying it out loud that Monolith Soft is Nintendo's second largest development studio. They are bigger than all the studios Nintendo has worked with for two decades or more - they are bigger than HAL, Game Freak, Intelligent Systems, Retro and Next Level Games. Hell, Monolith Soft's Tokyo branch is bigger than EPD Tokyo.

Monolith gearing up to buy Nintendo.

 

[Yokaze]

# of Employees
273 as of 2021 December
275 as of 2021 July
274 as of 2021 June
272 as of 2021 April
261 as of 2020 December
254 as of 2020 August
248 as of 2020 May
247 as of 2020 March
243 as of 2020 February
236 as of 2019 December
224 as of 2019 September
215 as of 2019 June
209 as of 2019 April
193 as of 2019 January
184 as of 2018 November
178 as of 2018 October
171 as of 2018 August
168 as of 2018 June
163 as of 2018 April
157 as of 2018 March
153 as of 2018 January
150 as of 2017 December
143 as of 2017 October
133 as of 2017 April/May
109 as of 2016 June
123 as of 2014 May
123 as of 2014 March
108 as of 2013 March
92 as of 2012 March
75 as of 2011 March
79 as of 2010-2011
83 as of 2010
94 as of 2009
111 as of 2008

The Kyoto studio was opened in October 2011
The new studio in Osaki was opened July 2019

 

[Procheno]

I'm really surprised that nothing is officially mentioned or figured out about that fantasy artwork. It's still there from August 2017 and it outlasted the hiring page for Production Team 1 aka Xenoblade team's hiring page

 

[Dark Cloud]

The Xenoblade team has been dispersed

 

[Supreme Overlord]

The Kyoto group seems positioned to remain a support studio, they even seem to be recruiting more designers and not really any game design or programming roles. Since Honne is back in Tokyo it does make sense, anyone who wants to work on Monolith Soft productions outside of asset support are on the Tokyo side.

Indeed, I would have expected the group to be built up, at some point, into a team that can put out its own games and still perform the functions it currently serves, but it's looking as though this is not the case.

However, with Honne integrating back into the Tokyo group, there is the possibility of him heading up some games again, and that's an exciting prospect.

---

I'm really surprised that nothing is officially mentioned or figured out about that fantasy artwork. It's still there from August 2017 and it outlasted the hiring page for Production Team 1 aka Xenoblade team's hiring page

There's always the possibility the specific artwork doesn't mean anything itself. There's been a great amount of incredible art posted for their hiring initiatives to which nothing further has been attached.

There did seem a possible connection in this case, and the potential outcome is intriguing.

Really, Monolith Soft consistently puts out good art.

I blame Honne for all this, that brilliant mastermind.

 

[Dark Cloud]

If Honne is at Tokyo then he can make a new game there. That’s even better since they develop games in Monolith Tokyo. If he was at Kyoto we’d be waiting for years just for them to build up.

 

[Yokaze]

I'm really surprised that nothing is officially mentioned or figured out about that fantasy artwork. It's still there from August 2017 and it outlasted the hiring page for Production Team 1 aka Xenoblade team's hiring page

The last time they specifically hired for that team (the Fantasy Action project) that I'm aware of was in July 2020. It should be nearing completion soon enough (or it might be finished already), It might be revealed this year or held back for 2023 depending on Nintendo's schedule.

 

[Almadel]

The new website looks nice.....but I don't think it necessarily means anything is happening.

It is interesting though that they ditched the night sky/space theme for the background and are using various blue sky/white clouds instead now. And using the same green as Pyra/Mythra's core crystal to highlight text.

I'm also surprised at how small the Kyoto studio is, so I hope Honne being back in Tokyo does mean he's working on something.

 

[Dark Cloud]

The “fantasy” game is a dream. It’s just recruiting concept art.

The new website looks nice.....but I don't think it necessarily means anything is happening.

It is interesting though that they ditched the night sky/space theme for the background and are using various blue sky/white clouds instead now. And using the same green as Pyra/Mythra's core crystal to highlight text.

I'm also surprised at how small the Kyoto studio is, so I hope Honne being back in Tokyo does mean he's working on something.

I think it definitely points to him working on something. We all assumed Kyoto was bigger, but they’re super small and would take forever to even start Game development. In Tokyo he can start right away.

 

[Nakapol]

I just realized that Zelda hiring are for Tokyo huh.

 

[Almadel]

The “fantasy” game is a dream. It’s just recruiting concept art.



I think it definitely points to him working on something. We all assumed Kyoto was bigger, but they’re super small and would take forever to even start Game development. In Tokyo he can start right away.

Yeah. I'd assume he's at least leading a larger project, but only time will tell if it's his own creative project or support for another Nintendo IP.

 

[karmitt]

The “fantasy” game is a dream. It’s just recruiting concept art.

Whatever we get will be better.

maybe

or we could just get more blushy crushy

 

[TheMoon]

I just realized that Zelda hiring are for Tokyo huh.

cause that's where the level designers are. their BotW assist was mainly for field design (after they flexed so god damn hard with X) which isn't asset support like what Kyoto does (where they make pots and pans, for example).

 

[Momo]

Where is it stated that Honne is in Tokyo?

There was a short period of time where he used to commute to Tokyo for work. Last I heard, he’s stopped going to Tokyo and only works in Kyoto these days.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Where is it stated that Honne is in Tokyo?

There was a short period of time where he used to commute to Tokyo for work. Last I heard, he’s stopped going to Tokyo and only works in Kyoto these days.

Please Momo just let us believe

 

[Amadeus]

What is Honne doing at Kyoto though ? He has been Baten Kaitos director and Art Director on other Monolith projects and now he's directing an asset office ?

 

[Dunban]

Where is it stated that Honne is in Tokyo?

There was a short period of time where he used to commute to Tokyo for work. Last I heard, he’s stopped going to Tokyo and only works in Kyoto these days.

In October 2018 he tweeted that he was having his last day at Kyoto studio.

Maybe I'm not reading the tweets correctly or missing context, but I thought Honne left Kyoto and moved back to Tokyo in 2018? He traveled to Kyoto from Tokyo weekly from Februaruy 2018 until October 2018 when it was his last day. I assumed he went back to work at the Tokyo studio? Maybe that means he'll be actually working on his own games now? Or Monolithsoft will be able to make other games now?

That's assuming I'm understanding the tweets correctly.

The second tweet says he had his last day there.

 

[Dark Cloud]

In October he tweeted that he was having his last day at Kyoto studio.


The second tweet says he had his last day there.

This confirms it. He’s been there for over 3 years and now most finding out he’s been in Tokyo all this time.

So he’s had years to develop a game…

 

[Dunban]

This confirms it. He’s been there for over 3 years and now most finding out he’s been in Tokyo all this time.

So he’s had years to develop a game…

Hopefully, he had stated he wants Kyoto studio to start working on games before he left. So if he thought that wasn't going to happen maybe he went back to Tokyo for that reason.

 

[N75]

In October 2018 he tweeted that he was having his last day at Kyoto studio.


The second tweet says he had his last day there.

He also didn't receive any Special Thanks credit in New Horizons, whereas he did for pretty much every other release the Kyoto studio has worked on.

Yasuyuki Honne

Yasuyuki Honne is the head of Monolith Soft Kyoto. He originally worked at Square as a graphic designer working on such classics as Chrono Trigger and Xenogears. He moved to Monolith Soft on 1999, where he was the art director of the Xenosaga series as well as the director of the Baten Kaitos...

nintendo.fandom.com

 

[Momo]

In October 2018 he tweeted that he was having his last day at Kyoto studio.


The second tweet says he had his last day there.

I recall seeing these tweets. Could’ve sworn he ended up moving back to Kyoto after the fact, but I don’t feel like digging through his Twitter account.

Nevertheless, Honne moving to Tokyo permanently is good news.

 

[MetalLord]

 

[Dark Cloud]

It looks like we have all the evidence we need.

 

[Dunban]

Yeah, from his Twitter it looks like he still travels to Kyoto pretty often but he never moved back.

 

[Momo]

Honne heading his own original game with Production Group #2 after BOTW2

 

[Dark Cloud]

Idk if you see his Twitter, but he LOVES playing cards. He did direct Baten Kaitos after all. I won’t be surprised if he made a new game with a card battle system. All he does is talk about playing cards.

 

[Dunban]

Idk if you see his Twitter, but he LOVES playing cards. He did direct Baten Kaitos after all. I won’t be surprised if he made a new game with a card battle system. All he does is talk about playing cards.

He does, designing them is one of his side hustles as well.

 

[ILikeFeet]

He does, designing them is one of his side hustles as well.

Honne line of Nintendo Playing Cards when?

 

[ika]

Best news here if the Production Unit 1 hiring page going away, that probably means the game is complete now or near complete and in debug phase / pre-production for the next game.

 

[ILikeFeet]

Best news here if the Production Unit 1 hiring page going away, that probably means the game is complete now or near complete and in debug phase / pre-production for the next game.

the presence or lack thereof of hiring pages don't really mean much these days. hiring never stops, especially when there's a shortage of workers in the field

 

[Oregano]

Honne line of Nintendo Playing Cards when?

That would be a nice gesture tbh, they already have the production capabilities.

Maybe he could do a Xenoblade card game like Fire Emblem Cypher.

 

[Dark Cloud]

I like how some Final Fantasy have a card game like 8 or 9. It’d be cool to see a card game in Xenoblade.

 

[MetalLord]

Best news here if the Production Unit 1 hiring page going away, that probably means the game is complete now or near complete and in debug phase / pre-production for the next game.

They losing staff is a sign too,it always happens in years with a major release because they let go the contractors

109 as of 2016 June
Xenoblade X
123 as of 2014 May

75 as of 2011 March
79 as of 2010-2011
Xenoblade
83 as of 2010
94 as of 2009

Some contracts finished last july

 

[Dark Cloud]

We just saw this with Retro. They completed a lot of contracts in the second half of last year. A sign to me Metroid Prime remaster was basically near finishing.

 

[Supreme Overlord]

Yeah. I'd assume he's at least leading a larger project, but only time will tell if it's his own creative project or support for another Nintendo IP.

I hope whatever project he leads currently or next is something he was able to decide on, himself, whether his own creative project or current Nintendo IP. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

This confirms it. He’s been there for over 3 years and now most finding out he’s been in Tokyo all this time.

So he’s had years to develop a game…

It would be pleasant to consider a project of his has been in the works for a while and could see release that much sooner than would have been expected. It's not at all confirmed, of course.

Hopefully, he had stated he wants Kyoto studio to start working on games before he left. So if he thought that wasn't going to happen maybe he went back to Tokyo for that reason.

That seems possible, or that Kyoto might yet be built up in such a manner but not any time soon. It still seems likely for that to be a goal, though.

In all, this does present the possibility of doing a game from Honne sooner than anticipated. I'm certainly hoping this is the case.

---

Idk if you see his Twitter, but he LOVES playing cards. He did direct Baten Kaitos after all. I won’t be surprised if he made a new game with a card battle system. All he does is talk about playing cards.

As far as video games, his interest in playing cards wouldn't necessarily bleed into those again, but it's possible. There could be a number of interesting and different forms that could take, which would set it apart from other productions.
As someone who absolutely adores the Baten Kaitos games, and also the prospect of something wholly set apart in form, it's an intriguing possibility.

He does, designing them is one of his side hustles as well.

Honne line of Nintendo Playing Cards when?

He designs some really nice cards, too. I've been tempted to acquire some at different times, but haven't quite allowed myself.

Actually, yeah, it would make sense if Nintendo were to commission varieties of playing cards from him. Those could be some gorgeous cards, and it could hark back to Nintendo's early days of hanafuda cards. Honne and Monolith Soft could provide this poetry (yeah, I know, Nintendo does still produce some hanafuda decks).

... We could get a game which could lead to the oft-suggested Hanafuda playable in Smash.

 

[Renmazuo]

I like how some Final Fantasy have a card game like 8 or 9. It’d be cool to see a card game in Xenoblade.

 

[MisterSpo]

In October 2018 he tweeted that he was having his last day at Kyoto studio.


The second tweet says he had his last day there.

He also didn't receive any Special Thanks credit in New Horizons, whereas he did for pretty much every other release the Kyoto studio has worked on.

Yasuyuki Honne

Yasuyuki Honne is the head of Monolith Soft Kyoto. He originally worked at Square as a graphic designer working on such classics as Chrono Trigger and Xenogears. He moved to Monolith Soft on 1999, where he was the art director of the Xenosaga series as well as the director of the Baten Kaitos...

nintendo.fandom.com

Honne intensifies

 

[Dark Cloud]

Honne intensifies

Now I’m think the other possible game Nate was hinting at could be coming from Honne

 

[ILikeFeet]

Now I’m think the other possible game Nate was hinting at could be coming from Honne

Katen Baitos: Card RPG

 

[Dardan Sandiego]

I'd buy the shit out of a card based RPG like BK. I love Slay the Spire but it's just not the same.

Spoiler

Paper Mario Color Splash should have been more like BK

 

[TheGreatLugia]

So if the Kyoto studio has over 30 people, the Tokyo studio should have roughly 240 people in total. If the divisions are split about evenly, Division 1 and Division 2 could each have roughly 120 people. Even if the split was less even, Division 1 having 100+ people would give that division alone more staff than all of Monolith Tokyo had 5 years ago.

If Division 2 also has roughly 120 people, it might be large enough to work on its own game along with assisting on Breath of the Wild 2 (or assisting on another project alongside Breath of the Wild 2).

 

[sanstea]

So if the Kyoto studio has over 30 people, the Tokyo studio should have roughly 240 people in total. If the divisions are split about evenly, Division 1 and Division 2 could each have roughly 120 people. Even if the split was less even, Division 1 having 100+ people would give that division alone more staff than all of Monolith Tokyo had 5 years ago.

You definitely have to account for how much their dedicated BotW2 support team takes up. How many staff members from MS did work on the original BotW?