A report on gameinformer.com suggests that as many as 90 per cent of the Nintendo sales and marketing staff have decided not to relocate to either San Francisco or New York, including senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications George Harrison (pictured), vice president of marketing and corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan and senior director of public relations Beth Llewelyn.

MCV has since received an official statement from a Nintendo UK spokesperson, which reads:

"I can confirm that Nintendo will be opening regional offices in Silicon Valley and New York City this Autumn. To ensure we are poised to drive our business forward and remain an industry leader, we will be better positioned by expanding our US presence to the hotbed of technology in Silicon Valley and to the world-wide media centre in the heart of New York City."

"The Seattle area remains the home of our corporate headquarters. We are not leaving Redmond. However, we believe it is important to expand our presence into two key markets that have proven to be leaders in creativity, technology, media and business."

"With offices in Redmond, Silicon Valley and New York, Nintendo will be well positioned to grow and drive this industry. The decision is an NOA/NCL management decision. We are hoping employees will see the benefit and in fact, increase morale as we show everyone how you can take it up a notch even in different location."

"The plan is to keep NOA headquartered in Redmond. That is certain. Sales and Marketing will be in the Silicon Valley and NYC. As we fine-tune operations with these two regional offices, other minor adjustments might be made, if necessary."

"In terms of the execs you name leaving we have not heard anything regarding that speculation (and it remains speculation) and we aren't commenting further on those rumours at this time."