Namco Bandai forms dedicated game development studio

Namco Bandai is set to form a new Japanese studio that will focus on all the company's future game development, with the aim to optimize its production of existing and new IP. Namco Bandai Studio, due to be formed on April 2 and located in Shinagawa, Tokyo, will be responsible for the Tekken, Soul Calibur, Taiko Drum Master, Tales and Gundam franchises, as well as all other existing Namco Bandai game series. It will also focus on creation of new IP, reports Andriasang. The studio will house over 1,000 staff, including employees split off from its Namco Bandai Games subsidiary, and all its staff from its former Namco Tales Studio subsidiary. The company's Namco Bandai Games division will continue to act as a publisher, while this new studio will focus on game development for the company. The new division will be headed up by producer Hajime Nakatani, who hopes to build on the company's skill and creativity in video games via optimized planning, development and management.