Bandai Namco Plans to Create Its Own $130m "IP Metaverse"

Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced its plans to develop its own ‘IP Metaverse’ that will span its franchises. The announcement was a part of the company's mid-term plan that covers the period from April 2022 to March 2025.

The company shared that its main aim will be what Bandai Namco calls the "IP Axis Strategy". The strategy comprises three main goals: connecting with fans through IP, enhancing IP value, and connecting the world through IP building businesses outside of Japan to increase the company's sales.

Part of the plan includes the creation of an IP Metaverse, for the implementation of which the publisher will spend ¥15 billion ($130 million). "In this IP Metaverse, we are anticipating virtual spaces that will enable customers to enjoy a wide range of entertainment on an IP axis, as well as frameworks that leverage Bandai Namco’s distinctive strengths to fuse physical products and venues with digital elements," the company states, "We are aiming for open frameworks that provide venues for connections with and among fans and business partners."

The company also noted that it strives for open platforms that provide spaces for fans and business partners to communicate planning to create communities between Bandai Namco and the fans, as well as between the fans themselves. ¥15 billion investment will be used to establish "data foundation (data universe)" and content development for the metaverse itself.

Along with the news about building the metaverse, the company also presented a new red speech bubble-like logo that is said to express "the potential of the brand to connect with people around the world through dreams, fun, and inspiration".

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