Bandai Namco might be the next big studio to undergo a series of layoffs and cancelations. That’s, of course, if reports are to be believed. A new post from Bloomberg has indicated that Bandai is going through some troublesome waters right now. The studio is apparently trying to dial things back in a big way after some lackluster demands.
Bloomberg reported that the company is dealing with the blowback of the post-pandemic woes several studios faced. As you might recall, at the height of the pandemic, there was a real need for entertainment at home. We all were encouraged to keep our distance, and several jobs closed up for weeks to months at a time. Being stuck inside gave a boost to the gaming industry, as more players were buying consoles and new games to enjoy.
Now that the pandemic is over, there has been a decline in interest from players in some of these games. It’s reported that because of this, Bandai Namco is following a tradition several Japanese corporations opt for when it comes to eliminating jobs. Rather than laying off their employees, they send them off to rooms with no work to do. That prompts them to hopefully find a new job and leave the company of their own will.
Of course, Bandai Namco offered a statement to Bloomberg saying that these reports are false. Instead, they noted that they had canceled some projects. Because of these cancellations, some employees will have nothing to do. So, they will have to wait for some time before they can be assigned to their next project.
So, while Bandai Namco suggests they are not trying to pressure anyone to leave, it does seem like some employees will be left waiting to work on a new project.