At the start of 2019, Nintendo fans got quite a shock when Nintendo restarted the development of Metroid Prime 4. It has potentially set its eventual release back multiple years. If a finding by the YouTuber Doctre81 is anything to go by though, the game could be arriving sooner than expected.

He's been digging around online and believes he has now found "definitive undisputed proof" of the environmental work in the game being outsourced. Posted less than a day ago is a job listing for Retro Studios and it's a contract for an environment outsourcing review artist. Doctre81 further explains how the description of this listing states the role is to:

Review outsourced content to ensure final deliverables reflect the desired artistic vision.

Although the specific game isn't mentioned, the description goes onto state how the roles require the individual to test levels in the game and "assess" both aesthetics and performance on the Switch.

You can get the full rundown in the video below:

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Outsourcing isn't exactly out of the ordinary when it comes to bigger video game projects nowadays.

Nintendo in particular often calls on multiple teams to help out with its major franchises. Monolith Soft (the dev behind Xenoblade Chronicles), for example, assisted with the landscape design in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Bandai Namco have also helped develop Nintendo games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and series such as Mario Kart.

Doctre81 is best known for finding references to the Nintendo Switch in CD Projekt job listings, months before The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was officially announced for the platform.

How would you feel about Retro outsourcing the environmental work in Metroid Prime 4 to speed up the development cycle? Leave a comment down below.