Namco Bandai's decision to merge its digital business with the rest of its development in the US back in August made sense for many, giving its mobile output an equal footing with its online and PC operations.
The lay offs that are set to follow, however, will be less welcome, with VentureBeat reporting that the firm is set to let up to 90 employees, mainly from its San Jose office, where much of its mobile development occured.
Tapping up the talentIt is, according to the firm's marketing veep Carlson Choi, part of an attempt to streamline its business and make it more efficient.
Quite bluntly, Choi believes the staff they are letting go cannot offer Namco Bandai the skills it can find by partnering with thirdparties.
"We are partnering with external development studios out there because that is where the game business is going," Choi told the site.
Internal development across all social platforms, including mobile, web, iOS, PC and consoles, will be centralised in Namco's main Japanese office.
Changing tact
The merger between Namco Bandai Games and Namco Networks in the US was pitched as a move designed to free up talent from within the company's own innards.
Indeed, at the time, Bandai Namco Games president and CEO Kenji Hisatsune said the merger would specifically tap into the "deep pools of talent and resources" within the firm, broadening the publisher's appeal as a result.
[source: VentureBeat]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
5 hours, 22 minutes ago
"It wasn’t easy": Supercell's struggle to get Squad Busters included at Summer Game Fest
News
5 hours, 44 minutes ago
My.Games launches new PC and console focused label Knights Peak Interactive
Feature
Jun 11th, 2024
Mobile Mavens: Are today's everlasting, live ops games holding back new innovation?
Feature
Jun 11th, 2024
The key takeaway from Apple's AI-laden WWDC keynote? It's time to buy a new iPhone
Events
Tribeca Games Festival 2024 | North America | Jun 5th |
Steam Next Fest: June 2024 Edition | Jun 10th | |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
GamesForum Hamburg 2024 | Europe | Jun 11th |
ESI London 2024 | Europe | Jun 13th |
Game Con Canada (GCC) 2024 | North America | Jun 14th |
Indie Dev Play 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |