Bandai Namco Cancels Games and Cuts Staff Amid Restructuring Efforts
Bandai Namco is undergoing significant restructuring, which includes staff reductions and the cancellation of several game projects. Despite strong sales of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the company has struggled with other titles, leading to workforce adjustments since April 2024.
The company, known for franchises like Tekken, Dark Souls, and Ace Combat, recently canceled the worldwide release of its anime MMO Blue Protocol. Additionally, several high-profile projects, including mobile title Tales of the Rays and games tied to the One Piece and Naruto series, have been paused or canceled. A Nintendo-commissioned project has also been scrapped.
In a controversial move, Bandai Namco is reportedly using the Japanese practice of “oidashi beya” to pressure staff to resign without severance by assigning them to inactive roles. Nearly 100 employees have left since April, with more resignations expected in the coming months. The company, however, denies these claims, stating that affected employees are simply awaiting new assignments.
While these changes have raised concerns, Bandai Namco is currently riding high on the success of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, which sold over 3 million copies on its launch day in October 2024. The company has several upcoming anime-inspired projects, including Death Note: Killer Within and Bleach: Rebirth of Souls, though fans are uncertain how the restructuring might affect these releases.
