# Nintendo Software Planning & Development

> research, planning, and development division of Nintendo

**Wikidata**: [Q2054310](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2054310)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Software_Planning_&_Development)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nintendo-software-planning-development

## Summary
Nintendo Software Planning & Development (SPD) was a research, planning, and development division of Nintendo that operated from 2003 to 2015, responsible for video game development.

## Key Facts
- Founded on September 30, 2003, by Satoru Iwata
- Operated as a video game developer division of Nintendo
- Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan
- Succeeded by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development on September 16, 2015
- Preceded by Nintendo Research & Development 1 and Nintendo Research & Development 2
- Part of the video game industry
- Had 7,317 employees as of March 31, 2023
- Also known as Nintendo SPD or 企画開発本部

### Q: When was Nintendo Software Planning & Development founded?
A: It was founded on September 30, 2003.

### Q: What was Nintendo Software Planning & Development?
A: It was a research, planning, and development division of Nintendo responsible for video game development.

### Q: When was Nintendo Software Planning & Development dissolved?
A: It was dissolved on September 16, 2015, when it was succeeded by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development.

## Why It Matters
Nintendo Software Planning & Development played a crucial role in Nintendo's internal development structure, serving as a key division for game development and planning. As one of Nintendo's primary internal studios, it was responsible for creating many of the company's flagship games and contributed significantly to the company's continued success in the video game industry. The division's existence represented Nintendo's organizational approach to maintaining creative control over its intellectual property while developing innovative gaming experiences.

## Notable For
- Was Nintendo's largest internal video game studio during its operation
- Succeeded by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development in 2015
- Founded by Satoru Iwata, who served as Nintendo's president from 2002 to 2015
- Operated as a division focused on research, planning, and development of video games
- Part of Nintendo's organizational restructuring to enhance game development capabilities

## Body
### History and Timeline
Nintendo Software Planning & Development was established on September 30, 2003, as part of Nintendo's organizational restructuring. The division was created to consolidate and enhance Nintendo's internal game development capabilities. It operated until September 16, 2015, when it was succeeded by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development.

### Organizational Structure
As a division of Nintendo, SPD functioned under the parent company's overall management while maintaining its own development teams and creative direction. The division was responsible for both game development and planning activities within Nintendo's internal operations.

### Development Focus
SPD focused on creating original content for Nintendo's various gaming platforms, including home consoles and handheld devices. The division worked on a wide range of projects from major franchise titles to experimental concepts.

### Succession and Legacy
The dissolution of Nintendo Software Planning & Development marked a significant change in Nintendo's internal development structure. The creation of Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development as the successor organization reflected Nintendo's continued evolution in how it managed its game development operations.

### Employee Numbers
Throughout its existence, the division's employee count grew from approximately 6,413 in 2020 to 7,317 as of March 31, 2023, indicating its expansion and increasing importance within Nintendo's operations.

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## References

1. [Crunchbase](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/spd-2)