Bandai Namco Layoffs: Over 100 Employees Reportedly Let Go Amid Industry Turmoil

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Summary

  • Bandai Namco reportedly let go of over 100 employees in the past year, despite not officially confirming any layoffs.
  • The company has faced challenges recently, with several big projects failing to make it out of development and others failing to perform.

It appears that Bandai Namco, the significant Japanese media conglomerate known for games such as Tekken and Elden Ring, is reported to have dismissed more than 100 employees during the past year. Unfortunately, layoffs have been a recurring issue in the gaming sector over the last few years, affecting both small independent studios and large corporations. Although Bandai Namco has not publicly acknowledged experiencing the same predicament, it seems that a considerable number of their staff members have departed from the company under various circumstances.

2024 was a tough year for Bandai Namco, despite an impressive list of upcoming games in 2025. Some big projects didn’t see the light of day during development, and others fell short of the studio’s goals. Just like other game developers and publishers recently, it appears these setbacks have influenced staffing situations, though Bandai Namco maintains otherwise.

The Automaton indicates that Japan’s Pension Service database reveals a reduction of 117 employees in Bandai Namco’s workforce from April 2024 to February 2025. Although there hasn’t been an official announcement about layoffs, the company is undergoing some significant organizational changes. In November 2024, Bandai Namco disclosed plans to merge its two primary gaming subsidiaries in April 2025. It remains uncertain if this merger involves staff reductions or if they have occurred already, but it’s clear that major adjustments are underway within the company.

Bandai Namco’s Employment Drops After Rumors of Coerced Resignation

The mass departure of employees at Bandai Namco has been observed following allegations that they were subtly pressured to quit through a method known as “oidashi beya.” This practice involves transferring employees to isolated workspaces, offering them minimal tasks, thereby inducing them to resign voluntarily without the need for termination. When these accusations first surfaced, Bandai Namco disputed the claims, stating that certain employees were merely waiting for upcoming projects. However, reports suggested that approximately 100 workers had resigned due to this practice, which aligns with recent figures from the Pension Service database. If Bandai Namco is indeed coercing resignations, it could account for the high number of departures, as there have been no official layoffs.

At this moment, there’s no official word on why Bandai Namco is reducing its workforce. However, considering the ongoing trends in the gaming industry and recent events such as Ubisoft closing a studio and reducing staff at three others, along with similar changes at BioWare, WB Games, and Rocksteady, it’s not surprising that speculation about layoffs or restructuring within Bandai Namco might arise. Given the challenges faced by Bandai Namco in 2024, downsizing could be a strategic move, though it may stir controversy.

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2025-02-06 19:07