A shocking report from Bloomberg reveals Bandai Namco’s drastic measures to cut costs due to lackluster demand. The beloved gaming company behind Tekken, Dragon Ball, and Naruto has:
– Slashed jobs, leaving nearly 100 employees without assignments
– Canceled or paused multiple games, including:
– Tales of the Rays (smartphone game)
– Blue Protocol (big-budget online game)
– Naruto and One Piece games
– Nintendo-commissioned project
– Utilized Japan’s notorious “Expulsion Rooms” to pressure staff into voluntary resignation
“Expulsion Rooms”: A Controversial Tactic
Bandai Namco denies using these tactics, but sources claim otherwise. This practice, known as “oi dashi beya” in Japanese, exploits strict labor laws to encourage unwanted employees to leave.
Company Response
Bandai Namco stated, “Decisions to discontinue games are based on comprehensive assessments… Some employees may wait before being assigned new projects.” However, insiders paint a different picture.
Gaming Industry Implications
The move raises concerns about:
– The future of beloved franchises
– Industry-wide cost-cutting measures
– Impact on game development and quality
THE FALL OF A GIANT: Bandai Namco’s Layoffs and Cancellations Exposed
