Namco Bandai Games

Forging new idols through streamlined development and preserved legacy.

Bandai Namco Studios Inc., headquartered in Kōtō, Tokyo, serves as the primary development arm for The Idolmaster franchise. Established on April 2, 2012, as a spin-off from Namco Bandai Games' development divisions, this subsidiary absorbed many staff members from across the company to streamline production. Operating under its parent company, Bandai Namco Entertainment, as a keiretsu, the studio focuses on creating games for home, arcade, and mobile platforms. While The Idolmaster originated under the previous corporate structure, this entity now manages the creative execution of these titles alongside other major franchises like Tekken and Ace Combat.

Quick Facts

Role: Development Arm
First appearance: April 2, 2012
Status: Active
Headquarters: Kōtō, Tokyo
Key imprints: GYAAR Studio

Lore & Background

The studio's formation on April 2, 2012, began with the spin-off of development divisions from Namco Bandai Games, which itself had been formed by the merger of Namco and Bandai operations in 2006. This shift aimed to decrease development times and increase productivity by moving game creation to a dedicated division. The Idolmaster, originally produced in-house or through subsidiaries like Banpresto, became part of this consolidated effort. Following the 2012 spin-off, Bandai Namco Studios inherited the responsibility for established franchises, ensuring continuity while pursuing new intellectual properties. The company maintains a strong focus on preserving key art and design documents, storing them in an internal department named the "Banarchive," which safeguards the historical assets of games including those from the franchise.

Reader's Guide

To understand the development of The Idolmaster under this entity, one must look at the restructuring that birthed Bandai Namco Studios. The company works in conjunction with its parent, where the studio develops and plans games while Bandai Namco Entertainment handles marketing and distribution. Staff members like Minoru Sashida manage master art preservation programs, ensuring assets from older titles remain accessible. In 2019, some research departments transferred to Bandai Namco Research Inc., further specializing operations. The studio also manages relationships with external partners; for instance, on March 3, 2025, B.B. Studio (formerly a subsidiary of the parent) became a direct subsidiary of Bandai Namco Studios and was renamed Bandai Namco Forge Digitals. Additionally, in November 2025, 80% of the Singapore division was sold to Nintendo.

Did You Know?

Bandai Namco Studios inherited staff from the defunct Namco Tales Studio division, which was dissolved in 2011 and its employees transferred to Bandai Namco Games.
In October 2021, the studio established GYAAR Studio to release at least one independent game title per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific role do they play for the idols?

Namco Bandai Games acts as the primary publisher and developer responsible for creating games across multiple platforms. They bridge player interaction with the polished performances seen on screen.

Where is the company headquartered?

The organization operates out of Tokyo, Japan, where they oversee production for the global brand. This location serves as the central hub for their development studios.