41-550: Namco Generations was a brand name created by Namco Bandai Games for modernized remakes of their older video games. It was introduced in 2010 in conjunction with Pac-Man Championship Edition DX for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 . Galaga Legions DX was the second game to use the brand, being released in 2011. Two other games were in production under the Namco Generations label, a Metro-Cross sequel named Aero-Cross and
82-443: A digital newsletter that provided information on upcoming titles, developer interviews, and gameplay tips. Updates on the project began to slow down as the years progressed, before ultimately being shuttered in late 2012. The Namco Generations project was deemed a failure by reviewers. They commented that the company's prolonged silence about the project and the general lack of a wider audience had contributed to its downfall, alongside
123-479: A good example on how to successfully revive a classic video game. Galaga Legions DX was published several months later on June 29, 2011 also to positive reception, specifically towards its unique gameplay and presentation. In June, Namco Bandai unveiled a fourth game under the brand, a reboot of the Japan-exclusive arcade game Dancing Eyes . Due to the game's strong sexual nature and for being rather obscure, it
164-507: A joint statement cited Japan's decreasing birth rates and advancements in technology as the reason for the merge, and to increase their relevance to newer audiences. Both companies worked independently under the newly formed Bandai Namco Holdings until 31 March 2006, when their video game operations were merged to form Namco Bandai Games. On 1 April 2008, Banpresto 's video game operations were absorbed by Namco Bandai Games. On 1 April 2009, Bandai Networks, Namco Bandai's mobile phone business,
205-657: A level allows the player to briefly round whatever object was in the level as it poses for the camera. Dancing Eyes was created by Masateru Umeda and a team of six others within Namco . Umeda is best known as the designer of The Outfoxies , a 1995 fighting game that is seen as a predecessor to the Super Smash Bros. series. It was programmed for the Namco System 11 board, a 3D arcade system based on raw PlayStation hardware. The production team used motion capture to animate
246-458: A modernized remake of Metro-Cross . Each game featured an option to view a special "NG News" digital newsletter, which featured developer interviews, gameplay tips, and information regarding upcoming titles. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX was released a day later on November 17 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to critical acclaim, being listed among the greatest video game remakes of all time and as
287-435: A new Southern California office. In June 2022, Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA. Inc announced the establishment of Bandai Namco Aces, with 51% of the shares owned by Bandai Namco and 49% of the shares owned by ILCA. This new development company will be responsible for the development of AAA titles, including Ace Combat . On November 20 2024, Bandai Namco Entertainment announced the merger of Bandai Namco Online into
328-497: A possibility of it seeing an international release. It was also compatible with the PlayStation Move motion-based peripheral. The announcement generated confusion and distaste from several publications, who commented on the game's sexual appeal and bizarre premise. The company became quiet about the project for over a year, until it was announced as being cancelled in 2012 for "various circumstances". Push Square believes
369-482: A remaster of Dancing Eyes , both of which were cancelled. The Namco Generations brand was conceived and led by chief producer Hideo Yoshizawa , known as the creator of Klonoa and Mr. Driller , and assisted by Tadashi Iguchi. The idea behind the series was to recreate the healthy proximity between developers and consumers that the original Namco company had done, and to modernize and garner interest in their older franchises. Each Namco Generations game came with
410-683: Is a Japanese multinational video game publisher , and the video game branch of the wider Bandai Namco Holdings group. Founded in 2006 as Namco Bandai Games Inc. , it is the successor to Namco 's home and arcade video game business, as well as Bandai 's former equivalent division. Development operations were spun off into a new company in 2012, Namco Bandai Studios, now called Bandai Namco Studios . Bandai Namco Entertainment owns several multi-million video game franchises , including Pac-Man , Tekken , Soulcalibur , Tales , Ace Combat , Taiko no Tatsujin , The Idolmaster , Ridge Racer and Dark Souls . Pac-Man himself serves as
451-474: Is best known as the creator of Klonoa and Mr. Driller , two widely-successful series for developer Namco . The idea for the project came from an attempt by Namco Bandai Games to recreate the healthy proximity between developers and consumers, which was a common trait of the original Namco company. Namco Bandai also saw it as an opportunity to revive and modernize many of their older intellectual properties, and to revive interest in them. The name and idea of
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#1733136708432492-505: Is more about seeing Namco pay tribute to something that was, at best, an amusing idea, and at worst, something Namco had no sense reminding people of". Siliconera showed disappointment towards the project's cancellation for being the end of an era for the company, saying: "With no more Namco Generations titles in the pipeline, it looks like the age of modernized Namco arcade games is over". Namco Bandai Games Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. , formerly Bandai Namco Games until 2015,
533-566: Is now known as Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe (BNEE). The Australian subsidiary of BNEE, Bandai Namco Entertainment Australia, aside from acting as the publisher and distributor for Bandai Namco titles in Australia, also publishes and distributes titles in the ANZ region for Square Enix and NIS America amongst others. In 2014, Namco Bandai Games and Namco Bandai Studios became Bandai Namco Games and Bandai Namco Studios, respectively. The change unified
574-631: The Asia Pacific market. The second studio, Namco Bandai Studios Vancouver, works on online social games and game content development for North America and Europe, and is part of the Center for Digital Media (CDM). In July 2013, Namco Bandai Partners (NBP), which used to oversee the PAL distribution network since September 2012, merged with Namco Bandai Games Europe (NBGE) in order to push distribution and publishing into one entity, Namco Bandai Games Europe (NBGE), which
615-473: The Hunter . They created 100 versions of the ad as the game consists of 100 chapters. In early 2011, Namco Networks was absorbed into Namco Bandai Games America, effectively consolidating Namco Bandai's American console, handheld, and mobile video game development operations. On 2 April 2012, Namco Bandai Games spun off its development operations into a new company called Namco Bandai Studios . The new company
656-541: The Namco Generations label being discontinued. He noted the company's unusual quiet nature towards the project in general, as well as commenting that neither of the cancelled titles lived up to the expectations of the first two games. Fletcher also felt that Dancing Eyes felt more like a tribute to an "amusing" idea rather than an attempt to truly resurrect an older IP, writing: "I'm not overly interested in seeing increasing amounts of polygonal skin. Rather than prurient interest in cartoon women, my fascination with Dancing Eyes
697-581: The Non-American and Japanese divisions were formerly distribution arms of Atari until the company sold them off to Bandai Namco in July 2009 alongside their Distribution Partners unit, which was effectively renamed Namco Bandai Partners until being folded in 2013. Bandai Namco Entertainment is the core development division of the Bandai Namco Group's "Content Strategic Business Unit " (Content SBU), and
738-513: The Surge label, but neither game ultimately did; both were released with a retro Namco label instead to reflect the series' legacy, the Surge branding would be phased out following the release of Afro Samurai . In 2010, Namco Bandai Games entered the Guinness World Records as the company that released the most TV commercials for the same product, a Nintendo DS game called Solatorobo: Red
779-401: The anime industry. Namco executives were skeptical of the game during production, as it broke away from the company's traditional family-friendly model. The game was openly disliked by publications in its initial release, who viewed it as "inappropriate" for arcades. Retrospectively, it has been praised for its quirky characters and fun gameplay, often being compared to the aforementioned Qix or
820-660: The brand internationally in order to increase the "value" and "appeal" of the name. The full company name was changed to Bandai Namco Entertainment on 1 April 2015. On 1 April 2018, the amusement machine business division of Bandai Namco Entertainment was transferred over to sister company Bandai Namco Amusement . In September 2020, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe and Oceania acquired Canadian video game developer Reflector Entertainment. The company acquired minority stake in Limbic Entertainment in February 2021 and became
861-403: The clothing off of women, though some other levels revolve around destroying UFOs, cardboard boxes, and a cobra around a trapped body builder. Enemies will appear and give direct chase to the player, which must be avoided or will cost the player a life. There are also power-ups that appear that give Urusu-San different abilities, such as a speed boost or the ability to increase in size. Completing
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#1733136708432902-839: The company, dissolving the subsidiary as a result with the employees joining the parent company. This came after the disappointing results of Blue Protocol and Gundam Evolution, games that performed below expectations with the dissolution set to be completed by April 2025. Bandai Namco Entertainment was originally headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo , moving their operations to Minato-ku, Tokyo in February 2016. The North American and European divisions respectively in Irvine, California , as Bandai Namco Entertainment America, and in Lyon, France , as Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe. Divisions have also been established in mainland China , Hong Kong , and Taiwan . Most of
943-448: The digital space". The company also wanted the branded games to "raise the bar" in terms of content, and to allow players to experience these older games in a brand-new way. Namco Bandai officially unveiled the Namco Generations brand on November 16, 2010. Three games were announced for release under the label: Pac-Man Championship Edition DX and Galaga Legions DX , both being updates of Iguchi's previous projects, and Aero-Cross ,
984-408: The former removing the Namco Generations newsletter entirely when it was updated in 2013. Video game publications have deemed the Namco Generations brand as a failure, saying that a general lack of a large audience and silence towards the project were factors in its downfall. JG Fletcher of Engadget blamed the cancellation of the remaining two games and a general lack of updates from Bandai Namco for
1025-422: The foundations for the brand, the company focused primarily on allowing consumers to interact directly with developers through digital newsletters and social media platforms, which they felt would allow for more feedback on projects. Namco Bandai Games America vice president Carlson Choi told IGN that the brand was to "[solidify] NAMCO BANDAI Games' commitment to provide high quality and compelling content through
1066-444: The game's characters, several of whom were voiced by prominent voice actors within the anime industry. Each of the characters were given their own personality and backstory so they would not be memorable for just their sex appeal. One of the characters, "Bunny", was modeled after one of the developer's gym instructor. Due to Dancing Eyes being a drastic departure from their usual family-friendly image, Namco executives were unsure about
1107-403: The graphics for being impressive at the time, as well as for it not solely relying on its suggestive themes. Barnholt wrote: "Despite the groan-worthy sexism going on, Dancing Eyes doesn't really take itself seriously. It shows that if you take out the suggestive material, you can still have a fairly fun game on your hands." Arttu Ylärakkola of GameSetWatch described it as "a perfect example of
1148-462: The kind of Japanese arcade weirdness that gets giggles from anyone who's ever seen the game". He stated that the game itself was of low quality, but had an odd charm to it through its bizarre premise and simplistic gameplay. Retro Gamer compared it to Konami's Amidar , commenting on its strange, sexual theme and "nutty" concept. They said that it was a "surprisingly polished" game, with good gameplay and responsive controls. Retro Gamer also found
1189-495: The label is derived from the video game newsletter Namco Community Magazine NG , published in Japan throughout the 1980s and early 1990s as a way for Namco to connect with their fans and provide news on their upcoming titles. Assisting in production of the series came from Tadashi Iguchi, the designer for Pac-Man Championship Edition and Galaga Legions , both of which were successful updates of classic arcade games. When laying down
1230-467: The lack of a PlayStation conversion surprising, given the arcade system was based on PlayStation hardware. In 2011, Namco Bandai Games announced that a high-definition remaster of Dancing Eyes was in production for the PlayStation 3 as part of their Namco Generations line of modernized arcade game remakes. Although it was announced as being exclusive to Japan, English translations options hinted at
1271-403: The main video game branch of Bandai Namco Holdings. Dancing Eyes Dancing Eyes is a 1996 puzzle arcade video game developed and published in Japan by Namco . It features gameplay reminiscent of arcade games like Qix — players control a monkey named Urusu-San as he must complete each level by destroying all of the tiles off the grid of a 3D object. Most levels revolve around
Namco Generations - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-599: The majority stakeholder in October 2022. In March 2021, Bandai Namco Amusement announced that withdrawal of the arcade game facility business in North America due to closure of various gaming facilities from the COVID-19 pandemic . Despite the announcement, Bandai Namco Amusement America was not affected by this withdrawal. In April 2021, Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced it would close its Santa Clara office and move to
1353-566: The official mascot of the company. The company also owns the licenses to several Japanese media franchises, such as Shonen Jump , Gundam , Kamen Rider , Super Sentai , Sword Art Online , and the Ultra Series . In January 2006, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. announced the establishment of Namco Bandai Games Inc. In March 2006, to be formed by merging Bandai and Namco’s home console game content, arcade game, mobile contents business and part of its new business division. Both companies in
1394-511: The player slowly removing the clothing off of women, alongside destroying cobras, UFOs, and cardboard boxes. There are enemies that must be avoided, and there are also power-ups that grant different abilities. The game runs on the Namco System 11 hardware. Created by Masateru Umeda, the designer for Namco's The Outfoxies , Dancing Eyes has gained notoriety for its sexual nature and comical design. Its characters were animated using motion capture, many of whom were voiced by well-known figures in
1435-634: The project during development. The game was published in Japan in September 1996. Promotional material acknowledged the strange concept and characters. The arcade game magazine Game Machine reported that Dancing Eyes was among the most popular arcade games during the month of October 1996. Retrospectively, the game has gained attention for its risque, comical nature. Writing for GamePro , Ray Barnholt likened its gameplay to Taito's Qix and Kaneko's Gals Panic series, finding it to be fun and one that doesn't take itself seriously. He also complemented
1476-451: The reboot of Dancing Eyes . In December, Aero-Cross and subsequently the Namco Generations label as a whole, were also cancelled. Namco Bandai cited "various circumstances" as the reason for the project's termination. Publications have speculated the lack of interest and a wider audience caused the brand to be discontinued. The DX versions of Pac-Man Championship Edition and Galaga Legions are still available on their respective platforms,
1517-474: The similarly suggestive Gals Panic . A remake was announced for the PlayStation 3 under the Namco Generations series, but was cancelled. Dancing Eyes is a 3D puzzle game, with gameplay often compared to Qix (1981). The player controls a monkey named Urusu-San, who must complete each level by eliminating all tiles off the grid of a 3D object. In most cases, the level involves the player destroying
1558-462: The two cancelled games being generally unimpressive and not living up to expectations. Both Pac-Man Championship Edition DX and Galaga Legions DX remain available on their respective platforms — the 2013 update to the former, renaming it to Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+ , removes all instances of Namco Generations from the game. The Namco Generations series was led by chief producer Hideo Yoshizawa . A highly respected game developer in Japan, he
1599-461: Was dissolved and absorbed into Namco Bandai Games. Just prior to the release of Afro Samurai at the end of 2008, the company announced the Surge publishing label. The new label was an attempt at creating a separate identity for the company, aimed at a Western audience desiring more mature themes in-game content. Following Afro , early press materials indicated that Dead to Rights: Retribution and Splatterhouse would also be released under
1640-429: Was met with dire confusion from publications. Siliconera speculated that modern remakes of Battle City , Rally-X , and Starblade were also in the works. Updates on the project began to slow down by the end of 2011, with the company posting very little information regarding the brand and the games under production for it. In April 2012, Japanese magazine Famitsu reported that Namco Bandai decided to cancel
1681-453: Was spurred by Namco Bandai's interest in faster development times and tighter cohesion between disparate development teams. It comprises approximately 1,000 employees, who were already part of Namco Bandai. In March 2013, Namco Bandai Games established two new game studios. The first, Namco Bandai Studios Singapore, is Namco Bandai's "leading development center" in Asia and develops game content for