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Bandai Namco Entertainment

(Redirected fromNamco Bandai Games)

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.[a],formerlyBandai Namco Gamesuntil 2015, is a Japanesemultinationalvideo gamepublisher,and thevideo gamebranch of the widerBandai Namco Holdingsgroup. Founded in 2006 asNamco Bandai Games Inc.[b],it is the successor toNamco's home and arcade video game business, as well asBandai's former equivalent division.[3]Development operations were spun off into a new company in 2012, Namco Bandai Studios, now calledBandai Namco Studios.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
Native name
Kabushiki gaisha バンダイナムコエンターテインメント
Kabushiki-gaishaBandai Namuko Entāteinmento
Formerly
  • Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    (2006–2014)
  • Bandai Namco Games Inc.
    (2014–2015)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Predecessors
Founded31 March 2006;18 years ago(2006-03-31)[1][2]
HeadquartersMinato, Tokyo,Japan
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Nao Udagawa (president and CEO)
ProductsList of Bandai Namco video games
RevenueIncrease¥240.3 billion(2020)
Increase¥24.7 billion(2020)
Increase¥244.7 billion(2020)
Number of employees
790 (2024)
ParentBandai Namco Holdings
Subsidiaries
  • Bandai Namco Aces
  • Bandai Namco Studios
  • Bandai Namco Network Services
  • Bandai Namco Nexus
  • Bandai Namco Sevens
  • Bandai Namco Mobile
Websitebandainamcoent

Bandai Namco Entertainment ownsseveral multi-million video game franchises,includingPac-Man,Tekken,Soulcalibur,Tales,Ace Combat,Taiko no Tatsujin,The Idolmaster,Ridge RacerandDark Souls.Pac-Manhimself serves as the official mascot of the company. The company also owns the licenses to several Japanese media franchises, such asShonen Jump,Gundam,Kamen Rider,Super Sentai,Sword Art Online,and theUltra Series.

History

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First logo asNamco Bandai Games(thenBandai Namco Games) was used until 2015.

In January 2006, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. announced the establishment of Namco Bandai Games Inc. In March 2006, to be formed by merging Bandai and Namco’s home console game content, arcade game, mobile contents business and part of its new business division.[2]

Both companies in a joint statement cited Japan's decreasing birth rates and advancements in technology as the reason for the merge, and to increase their relevance to newer audiences. Both companies worked independently under the newly formed Bandai Namco Holdings until 31 March 2006, when their video game operations were merged to form Namco Bandai Games.[1]

On 1 April 2008,Banpresto's video game operations were absorbed by Namco Bandai Games.[4]On 1 April 2009, Bandai Networks, Namco Bandai's mobile phone business, was dissolved and absorbed into Namco Bandai Games.[5]

Just prior to the release ofAfro Samuraiat the end of 2008, the company announced the Surge publishing label.[6]The new label was an attempt at creating a separate identity for the company, aimed at a Western audience desiring more mature themes in-game content.[7]FollowingAfro,early press materials indicated thatDead to Rights: RetributionandSplatterhousewould also be released under the Surge label, but neither game ultimately did; both were released with a retro Namco label instead to reflect the series' legacy, the Surge branding would be phased out following the release ofAfro Samurai.

In 2010, Namco Bandai Games entered theGuinness World Recordsas the company that released the most TV commercials for the same product, aNintendo DSgame calledSolatorobo: Red the Hunter.They created 100 versions of the ad as the game consists of 100 chapters.[8]

In early 2011,Namco Networkswas absorbed into Namco Bandai Games America, effectively consolidating Namco Bandai's American console, handheld, and mobile video game development operations.[9]

On 2 April 2012, Namco Bandai Games spun off its development operations into a new company calledNamco Bandai Studios.The new company was spurred by Namco Bandai's interest in faster development times and tighter cohesion between disparate development teams. It comprises approximately 1,000 employees, who were already part of Namco Bandai.[10]

In March 2013, Namco Bandai Games established two new game studios. The first, Namco Bandai Studios Singapore, is Namco Bandai's "leading development center" in Asia and develops game content for the Asia Pacific market.[11]The second studio, Namco Bandai Studios Vancouver, works on online social games and game content development for North America and Europe, and is part of the Center for Digital Media (CDM).[11]In July 2013,Namco Bandai Partners(NBP), which used to oversee the PAL distribution network since September 2012, merged with Namco Bandai Games Europe (NBGE) in order to push distribution and publishing into one entity, Namco Bandai Games Europe (NBGE), which is now known as Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe (BNEE).[12]The Australian subsidiary of BNEE, Bandai Namco Entertainment Australia, aside from acting as the publisher and distributor for Bandai Namco titles in Australia, also publishes and distributes titles in the ANZ region forSquare EnixandNIS Americaamongst others.

Previous logo was used from 2015 to 2022.

In 2014, Namco Bandai Games and Namco Bandai Studios became Bandai Namco Games and Bandai Namco Studios, respectively. The change unified the brand internationally in order to increase the "value" and "appeal" of the name.[13]The full company name was changed to Bandai Namco Entertainment on 1 April 2015.[14]

On 1 April 2018, the amusement machine business division of Bandai Namco Entertainment was transferred over to sister companyBandai Namco Amusement.[15][16][17]

In September 2020, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe and Oceania acquired Canadian video game developer Reflector Entertainment.[18]The company acquired minority stake inLimbic Entertainmentin February 2021[19]and became the majority stakeholder in October 2022.[20][21]

In March 2021, Bandai Namco Amusement announced that withdrawal of the arcade game facility business in North America due to closure of various gaming facilities from theCOVID-19 pandemic.[22]Despite the announcement, Bandai Namco Amusement America was not affected by this withdrawal.[23]In April 2021, Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced it would close its Santa Clara office and move to a new Southern California office.[24][25]

In June 2022, Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA. Inc announced the establishment of Bandai Namco Aces, with 51% of the shares owned by Bandai Namco and 49% of the shares owned by ILCA.[26]This new development company will be responsible for the development of AAA titles, includingAce Combat.[27]

On November 20 2024, Bandai Namco Entertainment announced the merger of Bandai Namco Online into the company, dissolving the subsidiary as a result with the employees joining the parent company. This came after the disappointing results of Blue Protocol and Gundam Evolution, games that performed below expectations with the dissolution set to be completed by April 2025.[28]

Corporate structure

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Bandai Namco Entertainment was originally headquartered inShinagawa, Tokyo,moving their operations toMinato-ku, Tokyoin February 2016.[29]The North American and European divisions respectively inIrvine, California,as Bandai Namco Entertainment America, and inLyon, France,as Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe. Divisions have also been established inmainland China,Hong Kong,andTaiwan.Most of the Non-American and Japanese divisions were formerly distribution arms ofAtariuntil the company sold them off to Bandai Namco in July 2009 alongside theirDistribution Partnersunit, which was effectively renamedNamco Bandai Partners[30][31]until being folded in 2013.

Bandai Namco Entertainment is the core development division of the Bandai Namco Group's "ContentStrategic Business Unit"(Content SBU), and the main video game branch of Bandai Namco Holdings.[32]

Software development and subsidiaries

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  • Bandai Namco Studios:established in April 2012 as a separate company[33]— Bandai Namco Studios creates video games for home consoles, handheld systems, mobile devices and arcade hardware, while Bandai Namco Entertainment handles the managing, marketing and publishing of these products.[10]Bandai Namco Studios also produces music and videos based on its properties and has development studios in the European, Asian, and Americas offices.[11][34]
  • Acquired studios:D3 Publisher,Reflector Entertainment,Limbic Entertainment

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^Japanese:Kabushiki gaisha バンダイナムコエンターテインメント,Hepburn:Kabushiki gaishaBandai Namuko Entāteinmento
  2. ^Japanese:Kabushiki gaisha バンダイナムコゲームス,Hepburn:Kabushiki gaishaBandai Namuko Gēmusu

References

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  1. ^abKarlin, David (1 November 2006)."Bandai and Namco Finalize Merger Details".1UP. Archived fromthe originalon 12 March 2014.Retrieved21 November2020.With around 1800 employees, Bandai Namco Games will be established on March 31st, 2006.
  2. ^ab"Reorganization of the Japanese Operations of the BANDAI NAMCO Group"(PDF).11 January 2006.Archived(PDF)from the original on 9 February 2021.Retrieved5 May2020.On March 31, 2006 it will establish a new Group company under the name of NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
  3. ^Gantayat, Anoop (11 January 2006)."Bandai Namco Games Opens Doors in March".IGN.Retrieved9 September2024.
  4. ^Spencer (9 November 2007)."Banpresto absorbed by Namco Bandai".Silicon Era.Archivedfrom the original on 23 February 2014.Retrieved2 February2014.
  5. ^"KatanaXtreme – Namco Bandai Games Inc. to Take Over Bandai Networks Co., Ltd".Archived fromthe originalon 23 January 2009.Retrieved10 December2008.
  6. ^McWhertor, Michael (4 December 2008)."Namco Bandai Needs Westerners, Plans" Surge "".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on 26 December 2010.Retrieved27 November2010.
  7. ^Sheffield, Brandon."Q&A: Namco Bandai's Iwai Talks Tricky Topics In Western Markets".Gamasutra.Archivedfrom the original on 13 November 2010.Retrieved27 November2010.
  8. ^"Most TV commercials for the same product (8 hrs) – regional/Free-to-air".Guinness World Records. Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2014.Retrieved2 February2014.
  9. ^"Namco Bandai Games America/Namco Networks merger".Games Industry International. 5 August 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 19 February 2014.Retrieved9 February2020.
  10. ^abGilbert, Ben (10 February 2012)."Namco spins off internal dev studios into 'Namco Bandai Studio'".Famitsu.Engadget.Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2021.Retrieved9 February2020.
  11. ^abcRomano, Sal (10 April 2013)."Namco Bandai opening Singapore and Vancouver studios".Gematsu.Archivedfrom the original on 18 February 2014.Retrieved2 February2014.
  12. ^Long, Niel (1 July 2013)."Namco Bandai completes merger of publishing and distribution businesses".Edge Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon 4 February 2014.Retrieved2 February2014.
  13. ^Goldfarb, Andrew (24 January 2014)."Namco Bandai Changing Name to Bandai Namco".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on 16 December 2019.Retrieved2 February2014.
  14. ^James, Thomas."Bandai Namco Games changing name to Bandai Namco Entertainment".Gematsu.Archived fromthe originalon 13 October 2019.Retrieved16 December2014.
  15. ^"Notice Regarding Reorganization of Subsidiaries".Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. 9 February 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2021.Retrieved21 November2020.
  16. ^"Trước hết đoan kỹ thuật によるキッズ hướng け mạo 険 thi thiết" phòng trong mạo 険 の đảo ドコドコ ", lập xuyên cao đảo phòng S.C.に ngày 11 tháng 10 よりオープン!"[The state-of-the-art adventure facility for kids "Indoor Adventure Island Dokodoko" will open in Tachikawa Takashimaya S.C. from October 11th!].Famitsu.Enterbrain.8 August 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 9 May 2019.Retrieved25 August2019.
  17. ^"バンダイナムコアミューズメント, イギリス の món đồ chơi cửa hàng “Hamleys” の FC triển khai を năm nội に thật cho định "[BANDAI NAMCO Amusement plans to launch FC of British toy store "Hamleys" by the end of this year].4Gamer.net.25 May 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 4 August 2020.Retrieved25 August2019.
  18. ^"Bandai Namco acquires Unknown 9 studio Reflector Entertainment".Gematsu.17 September 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2021.Retrieved18 September2020.
  19. ^Batchelor, James (23 February 2021)."Bandai Namco take minority stake in Might & Magic dev Limbic Entertainment".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on 23 February 2021.Retrieved23 February2021.
  20. ^Romano, Sal (6 October 2022)."Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe acquires majority stake in Limbic Entertainment".Archivedfrom the original on 11 January 2023.Retrieved11 January2023.
  21. ^"Bandai Namco Europe takes majority stake in Limbic".GamesIndustry.biz.6 October 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 28 January 2023.Retrieved6 October2022.
  22. ^"Bandai Namco to withdraw from arcade game business in North America".Kyodo News.1 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 1 March 2021.Retrieved2 March2021.
  23. ^Stenbuck, Kite (1 March 2021)."Bandai Namco Will No Longer Handle Amusement Facilities in America".Siliconera.Curse, Inc.Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2021.Retrieved2 April2021.
  24. ^Williams, Hayley (20 April 2021)."Bandai Namco Is Closing Its Santa Clara Office And Moving To Southern California".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on 21 April 2021.Retrieved21 April2021.
  25. ^Takahashi, Dean (20 April 2021)."Bandai Namco will close its Santa Clara office and move employees to Southern California".VentureBeat.Archivedfrom the original on 21 April 2021.Retrieved21 April2021.
  26. ^"Bandai Namco Entertainment, ILCA Establish New Company Bandai Namco Aces".Archivedfrom the original on 7 July 2022.Retrieved7 July2022.
  27. ^"Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and ILCA Inc. Join Forces to Establish Bandai Namco Aces Inc"(PDF)(Press release). Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA. 1 July 2022.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 July 2022.Retrieved22 July2022.
  28. ^V, Amber (20 November 2024)."Bandai Namco Online, developer of Blue Protocol, to be absorbed by Bandai Namco Entertainment and dissolve".Automaton West.
  29. ^"Corporate Data | About Company".Archivedfrom the original on 25 March 2019.Retrieved7 July2022.
  30. ^"Namco Bandai/Atari deal".7 July 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 24 February 2022.Retrieved24 September2022.
  31. ^"Namco Bandai Europe purchases PAL distribution from Atari".7 July 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 24 September 2022.Retrieved24 September2022.
  32. ^"Strategic Business Units".Bandai Namco.Archivedfrom the original on 30 April 2014.Retrieved9 February2020.
  33. ^"Company".Archivedfrom the original on 10 July 2020.Retrieved7 July2022.
  34. ^https:// bandainamcostudios /en/company/overview
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