Nintendo's Jim Merrick leaves game giant

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6142271.html

Twelve-year career with Japanese publisher ends for outspoken, accomplished marketing exec.

Just weeks after confirming that a three-year stint in Europe was coming to an end, it appears Jim Merrick, a marketing exec with an uncanny grasp of the technology behind the full range of Nintendo products, is leaving the company all together. "After nearly 12 years with Nintendo, the last three of which were at Nintendo of Europe, Jim Merrick has left the company to pursue other opportunities. We thank him for his many years of valuable service and wish him luck in his future endeavors," said a statement issued today by Nintendo reps. Merrick was one of the few Nintendo staffers who could be found participating in conferences or speaking candidly to reporters. He participated in the launch and sometimes development of almost all Nintendo products. Before joining Nintendo of America, Merrick was an independent consultant and contract programmer for numerous companies, including 4G Graphics, Vermont Microsystems, Texas Instruments, Computervision, and Compaq Computer. No mention of why Merrick and Nintendo parted ways was given.

I wonder why he left. I wouldn't be surprised if we start getting the whole, "The Revolution is going to suck so he left" speculations.

well.. maybe he wanted to do something else....
or maybe they decided they needed fresh new ideas and gave him the chance to leave before they let him go (although that is a bit harsh and if they enjoyed his work... I doubt that happened).

Who knows....

Bv :hat

Maybe he just figured 12 years was enough. Like BV said, chances are its just cuz he wanted to do something else.

I imagine, 12 years of doing anything will burn you out, no matter how much you like to do it. But who knows the real reason.