Sony Corp. has taken a small stake in Tekken and Pac-Man games giant Bandai Namco, as part of a strategic business alliance.
Japan-based Sony paid 68 billion yen ($464M) for a 2.5% stake in its compatriot company, which is also the owner of the Soulcalibur, Elden Ring and Dark Rings franchises.
The strategic alliance resulting from the investment will see the two companies seek to tap further into the booming global market for Japanese content and anime franchises.
They will “focus on expanding the fan community for IP such as anime and manga around the world and strengthening engagement, particularly in the anime field where rapid market growth is anticipated,” according to a statement.
In an even more corporate-sounding statement, Toshimoto Mitomo, Chief Strategy Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Sony Group Corporation, said: “The Bandai Namco Group promotes an ‘IP axis strategy’ that aims to maximize IP value by leveraging the appeal and worldview of IP, providing the optimal products and services at the optimal timing in the optimal regions.
“We are filled with excitement about the potential to create new entertainment by combining Sony Group’s strengths and technological capabilities across various entertainment fields with Bandai Namco’s IP axis strategy. Through this collaboration, we aim to connect with IP fans worldwide, co-create the future together, and realize our purpose, ‘Fun for All into the Future,’ and mid- to long-term vision, ‘Connect with Fans.’”
The announcement makes no reference to the likes of Pac-Man and Elder Scrolls, but with the likes of Fallout, The Last of Us and Twisted Metal all cutting through as TV shows in recent years, it will be interesting to see how this develops. We’ve reached out to Sony for comment.
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