In a significant development within the gaming industry, Bandai Namco, the renowned Japanese entertainment conglomerate, has recently undertaken job cuts within its games division. Reports from Bloomberg indicate that since April, approximately 200 employees have been transitioned to what are colloquially referred to as ‘oidashi beya’ or ‘expulsion rooms.’ These spaces are traditionally utilized by Japanese firms to subtly encourage employees to resign. However, Bandai Namco Studios has firmly refuted the existence of such a practice within its operations.
Company Response and Clarification
A representative from Bandai Namco emphasized that the company’s decisions regarding the discontinuation of games stem from thorough evaluations of their current circumstances. “Some employees may need to wait a certain amount of time before they are assigned their next project, but we do move forward with assignments as new projects emerge,” the spokesperson stated. Furthermore, they reiterated, “There is no organization like an ‘oidashi beya’ at Bandai Namco Studios designed to pressure people to leave voluntarily.”
This reduction in workforce, amounting to about 15 percent of the company’s total headcount of 1,300, comes shortly after the successful launch of the latest installment in the Dragon Ball franchise, titled Sparking Zero. The game has garnered both critical and commercial success, highlighting the contrasting dynamics within the company as it navigates its internal challenges while simultaneously celebrating notable achievements in game development.
