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Namco and Bandai tie the knot in US

North American publishing outfits merged by Japanese parent company; now known as Namco Bandai Games America.
By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Jan 4, 2006 9:43 am PT

The long merger process that Bandai and Namco began last May has culminated with today's announcement that the two companies have merged their North American operations.

Since Monday, all US subsidiaries of the Bandai Namco group have been operating as Namco Bandai Games America Inc. The newly integrated group combines Bandai's toy and DVD businesses with Namco's arcade, mobile, PC, and console game divisions, all operating out of what used to be Namco Hometek's Santa Clara, California, offices.

"We are thrilled that the integration of the two North American entities is now complete and we are all now under one roof," said the new company's president and CEO, Genichi Ito, in a statement. "We are proud to be part of the new Namco Bandai Games America family and look forward to a successful year ahead."

Ito's enthusiasm was echoed by his new corporate planning senior vice president Naruo Uchida, formerly of Bandai Games.

"The integration of our two companies has been a team effort over the last several months," Uchida said. "We have worked together to fuse the many strengths each of our companies have to form one strong North American operation."

When Bandai and Namco originally announced plans for the merger of US operations, they said that the resulting boost in efficiency would increase the Japanese companies' foreign revenue for the current business year by 19 percent, and are targeting a 50-percent boost in that area for the long term.

Bandai is best known for its many anime-based game lines like Gundam, Ghost in the Shell, and Cowboy Bebop, though it also owns popular toy properties like Tamagotchi. Namco's lengthy roster of recognizable franchises includes Pac-Man, Tekken, Ridge Racer, Ace Combat, Soul Calibur, Katamari Damacy, and Klonoa.

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35 Comments

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dudeass345

Finnaly we just might see a great Gundam game after all

Posted Jan 9, 2006 11:38 pm PT
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dudeass345

Finnaly we just might see a great Gundam game after all

Posted Jan 9, 2006 11:36 pm PT
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chrisdojo

maybe they will release a toy making game? :b

Posted Jan 5, 2006 5:45 am PT
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neoand12

maybe a Dragonball Z games will look as real as Tekken

Posted Jan 5, 2006 4:15 am PT
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PK-er1111

I hope soon we'll bee seeing Katamari Damacy action figures!

Posted Jan 5, 2006 3:19 am PT
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Jinggo78

I hope that this will mean anime-based games that don't suck as well. Then that way people in hell can cool off when it freezes over. heh heh...

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:37 pm PT
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forever_blank

Namco, wow... I wonder if there products will change in the long run.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:55 pm PT
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Jorge_Cav

So we will have better anime games. Well I hope there are good Gundam style games, I really liked Gundam Wing anime but it seems its to old to make a game for it but lets wait to see better Gundam Seed games.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 6:16 pm PT
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GameDestroyer88

Hmm....was this really neccessary....Namco already makes Blockbuster hits...you know Tekken, Soul Calibur. Bandai on the other hand pops out suck ass Gundam games month after month. If this is going to benefit anybody it will most likely be Bandai.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 6:09 pm PT
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ArmoredAshes

Well lets hope this works out for the best =)

Posted Jan 4, 2006 5:39 pm PT
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spr4yp4int

mechayakuza, I didn't see that coming either, but when I think about it it is the only ps1 game I still play. (Klonoa 1) also, Klonoa has a lot of titles for portables.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 3:27 pm PT
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kaseykahnefan01

So......Will we see better games for the future?

Posted Jan 4, 2006 1:49 pm PT
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maldaen

It wasn't about anyone having money troubles, both companies found mutually beneficial aspects of such a merger.

Namco gets to broaden their games' appeal through merchandising its franchise characters like only Bandai can, and has easier access to anime licenses for games... not to mention turning their games into anime licenses.

Bandai benefits from stronger brand power and retail presence in the US video game industry, a larger gateway into Japanese arcade games, even more marketable franchises for its merchandising wing, and a stronger pool of developer talent for its video games.

This wasn't about money trouble (though Namco was struggling a bit, their situation wasn't DIRE). It was about strengthening both companies with a unified portfolio.

The one company who SHOULD be merging with someone and isn't is CAPCOM. Seriously, they are doing pretty bad, constantly teetering on Sega-level money troubles.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 1:17 pm PT
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YukoAsho

Though one has to wonder which company initiated the merger. I can't imagine Namco would be in any financial trouble...

Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:45 pm PT
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Supersonic2000

With Namco's expertise in game developing we just may start seeing better anime based games. This merge was indeed an excellent decision.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:38 pm PT
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Digital-Devil

Just hurry up an get Cowboy Bebop out an i wont care ^.^

Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:36 pm PT
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Kenzo287

Such an odd pair but theres many posibilities!

Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:21 pm PT
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QuazarX

I doubt this means much in the short run. There's potential for cool things in the long run, however, such as anime-based games that don't suck.

I really don't like that logo, though.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:15 pm PT
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deleteuser

O dear good.....

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:38 am PT
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thedarkoracle

I'd be really worried, wondering who's manning the helm the day we see the King of All Cosmos (or whatever his name is) in a Soul Calibur title on a next-gen console. Or how about say Yoshimitsu piloting a Gundam.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:25 am PT
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ryokinshin

hopefully we will start to see the good gmaes trikle in

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:10 am PT
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santana4064

this should be an interesting merge, we will see what happends later on

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:09 am PT
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Optimusv2

Tekken and soul calibur on the 360?

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:09 am PT
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NinjaFoot

Now the Power Rangers can enter the Tekken Tournament!!! XD

Posted Jan 4, 2006 11:02 am PT
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Gaara79

Namco VS Naruto games anyone?

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:47 am PT
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mechayakuza

I find it odd that Klonoa is mentioned as one of Namco's franchises along with the big guns like Tekken, but the Tales series doesn't get a mention.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:39 am PT
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skakidinabox

This seems like it's going to be a really good move, hopefully with Namco overlooking some of Bandai's games we'll see some improvements of what are normally medicore, at best, anime games.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:38 am PT
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ian_fisher

I can't wait for Katamari Damacy Gundam.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:25 am PT
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Donkeljohn  

Maybe we can get a Namco vs Bandai RPG since North America is not likely to see the Namco X Capcom RPG released in Japan last year.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:02 am PT
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Hyperblade

Bandia needs them....Namco doesent.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 10:01 am PT
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Donkeljohn  

Better anime guest appearances in games would be an excellent way to make use of this merger.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 9:59 am PT
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spidey008

Great for Namco! They make decent games.

Posted Jan 4, 2006 9:57 am PT
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Zweihanderhero

Maybe we'll even get to see Faye Valentine in Soul Calibur 4 or something.Heh...

Posted Jan 4, 2006 9:55 am PT
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thekey

That should be a good marrage.( I hope so any ways)

Posted Jan 4, 2006 9:54 am PT
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Ne0zEEd

Hopefully they do great work together

Posted Jan 4, 2006 9:52 am PT
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