Bandai Namco Online to Undergo Merger with Parent Company

Bandai Namco has announced that its subsidiary, Bandai Namco Online, will be dissolved and merged with the parent company through an absorption-type merger. Established in 2009 to oversee Bandai's online portfolio, Bandai Namco Online will cease operations and transfer its business to Bandai Namco. The details regarding the transfer of staff and games are currently unclear. This merger is reportedly a response to shifting industry trends, with Bandai Namco expressing its commitment to delivering high-quality games that surpass fan expectations, including titles like Idolish7, SD Gundam Operations, and Gundam Tribe. The merger is scheduled for completion on April 1, 2025. This development follows recent announcements, including the shutdown of Japanese servers for Blue Protocol in January 2025 and the cancellation of its Western release. Additionally, there have been reports of workforce reductions due to the cancellation of several underperforming titles, with allegations of significant employee resignations, although the company has denied these claims.