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Namco Bandai posts $66.7 million loss for first half of year
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Nov 6th 2009 at 12:40PM } 
Namco Bandai has reported a net loss of ¥6.04 billion ($66.7 million) for the first half of its fiscal year, which began in April. During the same period last year, the company posted a net income of ¥1.28 billion ($14.14 million). Despite this year's first-half hiccup, the publisher still expects to earn ¥8.5 billion ($93.6 million) in net income by the end of its fiscal year (ending March 31, 2010). After all, there are those 2.5 million copies of Tekken 6 waiting to be sold.
Namco Bandai's software sales for the period were led by the Ben 10 franchise, as Alien Force and Protector of the Earth combined to sell approximately 810,000 units (not exactly Guitar Hero numbers, eh?). Even with Tekken 6 in its second-half roster, Namco must be pulling for a miracle. But then, the holidays are a magical time.
Source – Financial Highlights [PDF]
Source – Consolidated Financial Report [PDF]
Namco Bandai's software sales for the period were led by the Ben 10 franchise, as Alien Force and Protector of the Earth combined to sell approximately 810,000 units (not exactly Guitar Hero numbers, eh?). Even with Tekken 6 in its second-half roster, Namco must be pulling for a miracle. But then, the holidays are a magical time.
Source – Financial Highlights [PDF]
Source – Consolidated Financial Report [PDF]
Japan getting God Eater sampling platter November 26
by Griffin McElroy { Nov 5th 2009 at 2:44PM }
We like to consider ourselves open-minded when it comes to new culinary experiences, but we confess that we've never had the occasion to dine upon a god. We've heard that it's a delicious (and sizable!) meal -- in fact, on the latest episode of No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain described god-meat as being "light and airy, like aged pork, but with divine properties." Japanese gamers (or PSP owners with a loose comprehension of the Japanese language) will be able to find out for themselves when a demo for God Eater launches on November 26.
The demo for the Namco Bandai-developed action-RPG will be fairly substantial, offering 10 missions, character customization and a small sliver of the game's opening story sequence. It will also support four player co-op in the demo's non-tutorial missions. The demo will be added to the Japanese PSN on Thanksgiving and will also be available on the game's official site. Between those two options, we're sure you'll find some way to snack on a few celestial entities later this month.
The demo for the Namco Bandai-developed action-RPG will be fairly substantial, offering 10 missions, character customization and a small sliver of the game's opening story sequence. It will also support four player co-op in the demo's non-tutorial missions. The demo will be added to the Japanese PSN on Thanksgiving and will also be available on the game's official site. Between those two options, we're sure you'll find some way to snack on a few celestial entities later this month.
Tekken 6 online patch in the works, says Namco
by Ben Gilbert { Nov 4th 2009 at 6:20PM }
Unfortunately, no date for the patch has been given, though the publisher does add, "This is separate from the online co-op Scenario Campaign mode update." We've pestered Namco for more details on exactly what the patch will aim to fix and when we might hear more about it but, until that time, know this: something is being fixed at some point.
Rumor: Tekken 6 PSP adds Story modes for Lars and Alisa
by David Hinkle { Nov 4th 2009 at 12:45PM }
Many of you may have noticed the game failed to meet its October 27 release date, just as we thought it would -- several retailers now peg down the US release for November 29, while it looks like Japan will have to wait until January 14, 2010.
Dead to Rights: Retribution dev diary is loaded with dog fighting
by Griffin McElroy { Oct 24th 2009 at 8:30PM }
Don't let the headline throw you -- we don't mean the bad kind of dog fighting. We're talking about the kind of dog fighting where well-treated, justice-loving canines attack gun-toting criminals who pose a threat to their master, whom they love and remain eternally loyal to. When cast in that light, attack dogs aren't menacing or controversial -- they're just heartwarming companions (with enormous, razor-sharp teeth).
Check out the dev diary above to see Dead to Rights: Retribution's man-eating puppy in action. Oh, also, there's a human hero who uses guns and other traditional methods of justice-serving, but that's not really as noteworthy, now is it?
Check out the dev diary above to see Dead to Rights: Retribution's man-eating puppy in action. Oh, also, there's a human hero who uses guns and other traditional methods of justice-serving, but that's not really as noteworthy, now is it?
Namco Bandai considering Tales of Vesperia sequel
by Xav de Matos { Oct 18th 2009 at 2:00PM }
According to the panel, Vesperia's story is far from over as Namco Bandai is already brainstorming ideas if the opportunity for a new film in the series arises. "I don't know when it will happen, but we'd like to show [these things] in video form," Namco Bandai's general manager told those in attendance. Hopefully Namco Bandai will release a potential sequel for all platforms simultaneously, otherwise we may have a repeat situation of angry Japanese gamers on our hands.
Japanese Nintendo Downloads: Galaxian heads to the Tecmo Bowl
by David Hinkle { Sep 29th 2009 at 3:45PM }
- Bahamut Lagoon (Super Famicom, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
- Galaxian (VC Arcade, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points)
- Tecmo Bowl (VC Arcade, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points) [VC in Brief]
- Märchen Maze (VC Arcade, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points)
As advertised: Dead to Rights targets 17-and-ups
by David Hinkle { Sep 28th 2009 at 2:30PM }
[Dramatic pause.]
... Nothing's gonna make Grant City come alive more than billboards for $5 footlongs and "Are you gellin'?" We repeat: Nothing.
TGS 2009: Japanese developers love on Project Natal
by Ben Gilbert { Sep 25th 2009 at 7:44PM }
Above, we've dropped Capcom's Keiji Inafune. He sees Natal as an "enhancement" rather than a replacement, saying the current controllers prevent game developers from creating "games without limits." This of course begs the question: What happens when you combine Garry's Mod and Project Natal? Our guess: Madness.
Peep developers from Tecmo, Namco, Kojima Productions, Konami, From Software and Sega extolling Natal's many virtues after the break.
Rumor: Microsoft exclusivity deals funding PS3 development in Japan
by Ben Gilbert { Sep 16th 2009 at 6:00PM }
"It was easier developing for the Xbox 360 ... if you sign an exclusive contract with Microsoft (you won't release it on other hardware for a year or similar), they will give you a lot of cash for development," read a Japanese developer's post (the original post has since been removed), translated by Sankaku Complex (site NSFW). "As a result, first you develop for the Xbox, reducing development costs. But the Xbox version won't sell [in Japan]. So they port it to the PS3 ... it's cheaper as you already have the game done."
Though they didn't work on it, the developer claims to have seen this policy in practice with Tales of Vesperia. As Kotaku points out, it's quite possible that the dev did see such a practice on Vampire Rain, a game the mystery developer says they worked on.
Invincible Tiger punches PSN and Xbox Live this week [update]
by David Hinkle { Aug 25th 2009 at 9:00PM }
Anyway, we've put in for comment on price and will be sure to update you all as soon as we hear something.
Gallery: Invincible Tiger (8.25.09)
Prepare for an onslaught of Tekken 6 PSP media
by David Hinkle { Aug 19th 2009 at 11:00PM }
Oh, and yes, Alisa totally took off her head and smacked Eddy with it. You didn't imagine that part.
Gallery: Tekken 6 (PSP)
Tekken 6 trailer doles out story, Scenario Mode, no sense
by Richard Mitchell { Aug 19th 2009 at 8:00PM }
After you've scratched your head bald puzzling over the trailer above, check out some new screens in the gallery below:
Gallery: Tekken 6 (GamesCom 2009)
Take a timeout to ogle Hori's Tekken 6 arcade sticks
by Ben Gilbert { Aug 19th 2009 at 2:45PM }
Gallery: Tekken 6 Hori Fight Stick
Namco to make 'major' announcements at Gamescom
by Randy Nelson { Aug 10th 2009 at 9:00PM }
Namco Bandai issued a press release today to announce that it will have a whole lot of games we already know about on display in its booth at Germany's Gamescom expo next week. Snore. But, as if some kind of reward for those who kept reading past the list of already-known titles, a single line revealed that "major exclusive new announcements will be made to the world's gaming media" by the publisher at its pre-show press conference on August 19. Major and exclusive.
Let's just hope it's something more major than a release date for Splatterhouse or news that someone finally realized Dead to Rights: Retribution needs a lot of work.
Let's just hope it's something more major than a release date for Splatterhouse or news that someone finally realized Dead to Rights: Retribution needs a lot of work.
