
Bandai Namco, a major player in the gaming industry, has recently faced a downturn in its digital division’s performance. Figures from the company’s third fiscal quarter reveal a concerning 96.5% drop in income compared to the same period last year. This significant decline has prompted Bandai Namco to re-evaluate its development strategy and make some key adjustments.
The company acknowledges that the primary factor behind the slump is the difficulty of replicating the immense success of Elden Ring, their critically acclaimed open-world RPG released earlier this year. While other titles like Armored Core 6 and established franchises like Dragon Ball and One Piece maintained healthy sales, Elden Ring’s unprecedented achievement proved impossible to follow immediately.
In response to this challenge, Bandai Namco has outlined a three-pronged approach to improve its digital performance. Firstly, they will strive to build a “well-balanced title portfolio,” indicating a diversification of their game offerings to cater to broader audience preferences. This suggests a shift away from solely relying on established franchises and exploring new genres or innovative concepts.
Secondly, the company emphasizes the importance of examining and refining its development system. This likely involves analyzing production processes, resource allocation, and internal structures to identify areas for improvement. By streamlining operations and optimizing development pipelines, Bandai Namco aims to achieve greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Finally, the company reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing quality. This means focusing on creating polished, engaging, and well-designed games that resonate with players. While commercial success is important, Bandai Namco recognizes the need to deliver exceptional experiences that meet the expectations of their audience.
This renewed focus on quality is evident in their decision to continue investing in Elden Ring. While the highly anticipated DLC, Shadows of the Erdtree, is still in development, Bandai Namco emphasizes the creation of “large-scale downloadable content.” This suggests a substantial expansion to the Elden Ring world, potentially offering new storylines, areas to explore, and gameplay mechanics.
Furthermore, Bandai Namco confirms the development of a new Dragon Ball game. This builds upon the success of recent Dragon Ball titles and demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to the popular franchise. However, specific details about the new game remain under wraps for now.
Looking ahead, Bandai Namco expresses confidence in the ongoing success of Tekken 8, which launched last month. The fighting game has performed well commercially and is expected to contribute to future revenue through continued sales and potential DLC.
In conclusion, Bandai Namco’s digital division has faced a significant setback, but the company is actively implementing changes to ensure its future success. By diversifying its portfolio, optimizing development processes, and prioritizing quality, Bandai Namco aims to deliver engaging experiences that resonate with players. The continued investment in Elden Ring’s DLC and the development of a new Dragon Ball game further solidify this commitment to quality and innovation.