Banda Namco, the powerhouse behind gaming phenomena, is making some big moves as it faces low demand for several titles. With over 100 employees already hitting the exit, and another batch potentially following suit in the upcoming months, this gaming giant is in a precarious position. While their latest release, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, launched with a bang by selling over three million copies on its first day, the company still finds itself reevaluating its entire arsenal.
Since merging in 2006, the collaboration between Bandai and Namco has spawned epic franchises like Tekken, Dark Souls, and Ace Combat. Yet, despite the phenomenal sales of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero and the hype around titles like Tekken 8, Bandai Namco has thrown in the towel on various projects. A project decided alongside Nintendo has been scrapped, and anticipated releases such as the anime MMO Blue Protocol are now benched, with servers set to shut down in January 2025.
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UNCONVENTIONAL WORKFORCE REDUCTIONS
In a move dubbed ‘oidashi beya’, Bandai Namco is leveraging an intriguing Japanese workplace practice aimed at getting employees to self-resign rather than face a layoff. Employees have been reportedly stuck in limbo, shuffled to rooms with no tasks, fueling frustration and driving nearly 100 workers to resign since April 2024. Bandai Namco officials claim that the resignations are voluntary, asserting that some staff are merely awaiting new assignments. However, the cancellation of mobile titles like Tales of the Rays and various projects within the vast universes of One Piece and Naruto raises questions about job security.
With a duality of triumph and tribulations, Bandai Namco seems to be caught in a storm. Despite a recent sales high, the question remains: can they maintain momentum? As they celebrate the achievement of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero hitting a concurrent player count of 122,554 on Steam, whispers of uncertainty loom over their upcoming projects.
LOOKING AHEAD IN GAMING
Gamers are abuzz with anticipation over several upcoming titles like the leaked Death Note: Killer Within and Bleach: Rebirth of Souls. As these projects float in the wind, the gaming community holds its breath, hoping that Bandai Namco will steer the ship back on course, avoiding any unfavorable impacts due to their current struggles.
While Bandai Namco grapples with these challenges, their legacy in gaming remains unmatched. With adaptations that have thrilled fans across the globe, only time will tell how they navigate this critical quest for survival in the gaming realm.
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