Bandai Namco is facing allegations of pressuring employees to leave the company, reportedly using controversial methods to reduce its workforce. A recent report from Bloomberg reveals that the company has already seen around 100 employees resign, with sources stating that the gaming giant is looking to downsize its staff by cancelling multiple projects. These include anticipated games featuring characters from popular anime franchises Naruto and One Piece.

Cancelled Projects and Workforce Reduction

According to Bloomberg, Bandai Namco’s decision to cancel certain projects, including a collaboration with Nintendo, was driven by a lack of consumer demand. In addition to project cancellations, the company is said to have placed workers in so-called “expulsion rooms,” also known as “banishment rooms” or “boredom rooms.” This practice is aimed at encouraging employees to resign voluntarily by leaving them with no tasks or projects to work on.

Reports indicate that around 200 out of the company’s 1,300 workers have been affected, with approximately 100 already leaving their positions.

Bandai Namco Denies Allegations

Bandai Namco has responded to the allegations, denying the use of “expulsion rooms” to pressure employees into resigning. A spokesperson for the company stated that while employees may sometimes experience a waiting period between assignments, the company continues to allocate projects as they arise. “There is no organization like an ‘oidashi beya’ at Bandai Namco Studios designed to pressure people to leave voluntarily,” the representative told Bloomberg.

On the topic of cancelled games, the company explained that these decisions were made after comprehensive assessments of the market and demand.

Industry Context

This report emerges in the wake of the commercial success of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, which sold over three million copies within 24 hours of release. Bandai Namco also released Tekken 8 this year, which has continued to receive DLC support.