Update: Bandai Namco has been in touch to clarify some of the information detailed in this news item. The company's official, unedited response is as follows:
We would like to provide some clarification pertaining to a recent BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. announcement from our Japan HQ regarding the opening of the company's classic IP catalog for new game development on Mobile, Browser, and Network Devices.
This project will be initially implemented for Japan only. The goal of the project is to inspire the creativity and imagination of the Japanese game development community while leveraging the strengths and popularity of BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment's classic IPs. In order to foster this creativity, the approvals process and supervision placed upon game concepts will be streamlined and made simpler, but in no way has it been entirely eliminated. Additionally, any new games that stem from this program will only be made available for Japanese domestic consumers.
The list of classic IPs being made available in this programs are as follows:
.Adventure of Valkyrie (Original title is "Walkure no Boken" in Japanese language.)
•Battle City
•DigDug
•Dragon Buster
•Galaga
•Galaxian
•The Genji and THE Heike Clans (Original title is "Genpei Toma Den" in Japanese language.)
•Mappy
•PAC-MAN
•Youkai Douchu Ki (in Japanese language.)
•Sky Kid
•Star Luster
•The Tower of Druaga
•Tower of Babel
•Wagan Land (in Japanese language.)
•Wonder-Momo
•Xevious
Original Story: Bandai Namco has announced that it will be allowing greater access to its back catalogue of classics titles under a new "open project" initiative.
Unlike typical licencing agreements, "domestic creators" will be able to use Bandai Namco characters without any supervision, although a review of the project will still be required.
The program begins in April, and the 17 games are:
- Pac-Man
- Galaxian
- Xevious
- Mappy
- Galaga
- DigDug
- The Tower of Druaga
- Battle City
- Star Luster
- Tower of Babel
- Adventure of Valkyrie
- Sky Kid
- Dragon Buster
- Shadow Land
- Genpei Toma Den
- Wonder Momo
- Wagan Land
It's likely that this will result in a lot of new smartphone titles showcasing Bandai Namco characters, but there's the chance that we could see more games coming to the Wii U and 3DS, too. More details are expected to surface soon.
[source gematsu.com, via bandainamcogames.co.jp]
Comments 22
For once, I'm happy that a game company isn't concerned about this copyright crap every one else does.
Mario Vs Pacman coming to Android/IOS soon then?
@Artwark "Copyright crap"
So companies should just let anyone use their IP to do whatever they want with without concerning themselves with the risk of their brand being cheapened and abused?Example, Blockdrop x Mickey Mouse ,nah nothing for Disney to be concerned about there.
@OorWullie Halo x Uncharted for iOS
Begins April, eh?
so that would be April 1st.
@Usagi-san OMGosh! This has to be an april fools!
Correction, the Gematsu source says 'late April', so it's probably just unlucky timing, I mean I highly doubt the japanese celebrate April fooks day.
Yeah! Indie games with classic characters!
@PvtOttobot There was a Japanese Nintendo Direct on April Fools Day once so I also doubt they celebrate it.
This is the most ShiftyLook thing Bandai Namco has done since ShiftyLook
Galaga could do with a modern twist, but in a good way.
What? Tower if Druaga? I hope something amazing comes from that. I loved that IP. Also would be nice to see something with DigDug again.
I am very excited because of this .
This is a public service announcement:
April Fools things only count when they happen on April Fools Day.
end of script.
@Captain_Gonru I suppose that is true, but I would love to see if somebody could come up with something to make DigDug relevant again. Besides those games don't let me pop Pookas.
Interesting, I'll keep an eye on this to see what people produce.
This is smart, and a much more sensible approach than what Atari is doing with Llamasoft's Tempest homage.
I just hope they don't go after unauthorized "clones" like Chillaxian.
As far as I am concerned Klonoa is Bandai Namco's most important IP (at least I think it is theirs).
It makes me wonder why they closed down ShiftyLook to begin with... but man, if not for the "Domestic Creators" part, I'd have love to try my hand at Mappy. I wonder if they'd allow more than just games as open projects? Like, would comics and cartoons be fine too?
Also, I think this is a great way to bring attention to unused/forgotten IPs. Lord knows other companies could benefit from doing the same thing. Looking at you Konami with all those Hudson Soft IPs...
Pacman is on,..
Interesting.
No Klonoa or Rolling Thunder. I wonder why? It's not like they're going to do anything with them any time soon.
More Galaga is always good news in my house.
I'm very skeptical about this... and not because today is 1th of April.
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