Key staff ‘escorted’ from Retro Studios

A report on Shacknews claims that several of the ‘key employees’ which worked on Nintendo’s Metroid Prime franchise have departed its Retro Studios outfit.

According to the report, design director Mark Pacini, art director Todd Keller, and principal technology engineer Jack Mathews were "escorted off the premises" of the American Nintendo-owned studio last week. No reason has been given for the reported dismissals.

Shacknews also adds that other reports which circulated earlier this week suggesting the studio may close were incorrect and that Nintendo has no intention of shutting the Austin, Texas-based office down.

The team had developed all three Metroid Prime games for the GameCube and Wii and was acquired by Nintendo in 2001.