Nintendo's Jim Merrick leaves game giant

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 altogether. "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 of almost all Nintendo products and sometimes in their development. 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 reason for why Merrick and Nintendo parted ways was given.