Bandai Namco Online to shut down after 16 years of operation

Bandai Namco is set to dissolve its subsidiary Bandai Namco Online in April 2025. 

The company said in its announcement that all of the division’s business would be moved under the wider Bandai Namco umbrella. 

There’s no word on whether staff are going to be affected by this move. The Japanese firm has called it an “absorption-type merger” that will see Bandai Namco Entertainment become the surviving company. 

A merger to adapt 

Bandai Namco Entertainment will continue operating Bandai Namco Online’s titles including Idolish Seven, SD Gundam Operations, and Gundam Tryve.  It will also assume all customer contracts, receivables, and liabilities from Bandai Namco Online.

The company also announced that it will shut down Blue Protocol’s Japanese servers in January 2025 and cancel its Western release entirely.

Bandai Namco Online was established in 2009 with a focus on developing online titles like Dragon Ball Z: X KeeperZ, Gundam Evolution and Blue Protocol. 

“This merger is being carried out with the aim of responding to the recent changes in the gaming environment and strengthening the business management system of the entire digital business,” read a statement from Bandai Namco. 

“We will continue to aim to provide ‘high-quality content that can be played for a long time and deeply’ and ‘diverse entertainment’ that exceeds the expectations of all fans.”