Bandai Namco Faces Layoffs and Game Cancellations Amid Industry Challenges

The Japanese gaming giant is reportedly using controversial methods to reduce staff following the cancellation of several high-profile projects.

Bandai Namco has canceled multiple game projects, including titles featuring popular anime franchises like One Piece and Naruto, as well as a project with Nintendo.
The company is reportedly pressuring approximately 200 employees to resign by moving them to 'expulsion rooms,' a practice it denies despite numerous reports.
Nearly 100 employees have resigned since being placed in these rooms, with more expected to leave in the coming months.
These measures come as part of a broader industry trend of layoffs and cost-cutting following a period of high investment and growth during the pandemic.
Despite these challenges, Bandai Namco's recent release, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, achieved significant commercial success, selling over 3 million copies in its first day.