- Bandai Namco has published some of the biggest franchises in the industry.
- The publisher has recently started to focus on diversity and inclusivity, citing player interest and demand as motivations for this push.
- The publisher says it has become necessary to focus on DEI to reach a wider audience.
Bandai Namco is one of the oldest and biggest publishers in the gaming industry. Its franchises, Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and many others, have been critically acclaimed around the globe and have garnered a huge fanbase.
Bandai Namco is also huge in the West. The company has recently started focusing on diversity and inclusivity elements, stating that this is something Western audiences want more of.
Why it matters: Diversity and inclusivity are hot topics in the industry amid the growing influence of companies like Sweet Baby Inc. Black Myth: Wukong has even received criticism for its lack of diversity.
During a recent interview with 4gamer.net, Okuma Miraif from the Quality Assurance Department of the Bandai Namco Online Business Division discussed the insights she learned about DEI.
When asked why the company has placed importance on DEI, Okuma replied that the company has understood that this focus is necessary to reach a wide range of players around the globe.
Bandai Namco has recently started developing titles under the slogan “from Japan to the world,” starting with the development of Blue Protocol and Gundam Evolution. Okuma further explains why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important in reaching a Western audience.
Creating a situation in which diverse personalities are respected, and abilities can be demonstrated under fair environments and conditions.
-Okuma Miraif
It has also been stated that the public opinion of DEI has been growing over the recent years since movements like BLM became popular. Bandai Namco claims that people are expecting to find these elements in the entertainment industry apart from real life.
What’s more encouraging is the fact that Bandai Namco realizes the need to balance these elements. Leaning too far in certain directions is almost always a disastrous recipe, so the publisher might be making a wiser decision here.
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[News Reporter]
Abiyan is on track to complete his Computer Science bachelor’s degree. His enthusiasm for writing and gaming motivates him to keep readers and gamers updated with the latest information from the industry. In his free time, Abiyan enjoys playing Dota 2 and Rocket League. Abiyan has also been cited in reputed websites such as Kitguru, Comicbook, GamingBible, Eurogamer and Gamingbolt.
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