Participating in the Playing For The Planet Alliance
Bandai Namco Entertainment is a member of the Playing For The Planet Alliance established at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019. The company also participates in Green Game Jam organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the PAC-MAN smartphone game app. In 2023, Bandai Namco Entertainment held the Play for the Himalayas in-game event, which communicates the importance of protecting endangered species. In addition, Bandai Namco Entertainment America received the Jam Spirit Award* for fiscal 2023 in recognition of its participation in Green Game Jam for the third consecutive year and its various contributions to the environment. *This award is presented to companies
participating in the Green Game Jam that consistently incorporate reforestation efforts into
their games and seek to enhance the level of these efforts.
Collection and upcycling of used clothes at live event venues
At the venue for THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS 5thLIVE If I wings., which was held in March 2023, we implemented an initiative to collect used clothing from attendees. We called on fans to deposit used clothes into boxes that were set up at the venue to collect such clothing. Used clothes that were collected at the event were recycled into new
reusable materials. We reused these materials in panels at THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS 5.5th
Anniversary LIVE event.
Promoting plastic recycling in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment
From April 2023 for approximately one year, as a collaborative initiative between THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS and Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, HO-KA-GO CLIMAX GIRLS, which is affiliated with 283 Productions, was the focus of PR initiatives related to plastic recycling. Agenda 283, an in-game event scenario, features
regional clean-up activities. Participants implement initiatives to support nature and plastic
recycling while studying and discussing the issue of plastic waste in the oceans. There is an
educational video that promotes plastic reduction and recycling, with idol Rinze Morino, who was
elected from among the HO-KA-GO CLIMAX GIRLS members, serving as navigator. To view the video, click the link below. Educational video on
reducing and recycling plastics (external website available in Japanese only)
Safe & Responsible Products
Minimizing the impact on young people by complying with the Age Rating System for video game software
Bandai Namco Entertainment is a member of the Age Rating System administered by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), out of consideration for the impact on young people from the diversification of game content and expressions that accompany technological advances and the expansion of user age groups. By displaying age classification marks for each product and service and clarifying the target age of the content included, we are thoroughly managing our products and services so that customers can enjoy them with peace of mind.
Age-based ratings
Promote initiatives to enhance quality and safety awareness
To maintain and improve the quality of products and services, it is important to heighten the awareness of individual employees toward quality and safety, as well as establish a workplace with correct manufacturing knowledge and know-how, where employees take voluntary action to enhance quality. The Bandai Namco Group Entertainment Unit
held the Product Safety Forum: Exhibition for Product Safety and Quality jointly with the Toys and
Hobby business and the Digital business, continuing on from the previous fiscal year. At this
exhibition, we exhibited our quality control efforts for physical products, such as toys, and
digital products, such as games, which is leading to further quality improvement and better
product development. In fiscal 2023, in addition to the conventional online exhibition, we held an
in-person exhibition for the first time in four years to further deepen the message to employees.
At Bandai Spirits, we also held the Product Quality Messe exhibition for manufacturing locations
in Japan and China to raise quality awareness.
Product Safety Forum virtual reality venue
Product Safety Forum in-person venue
Initiatives for accessible game development
Bandai Namco Entertainment is adding functions to its games to ensure accessibility with the aim of developing games that can be enjoyed by everyone.
As one example, we use a color vision simulator during development so that color-blind people who
have difficulty seeing certain colors can play the game without any problems. In addition to this,
we are promoting the development of games that are accessible for more people through, for
example, functions that allow the player to adjust the brightness of the game and add subtitles
for in-game audio. We are also creating internal guidelines that outline recommended ways to
implement these functions.
Examples of implemented accessibility-related functions
SCARLET NEXUS
Setting of options upon start-up
Game difficulty setting
Subtitles for in-game audio
Customizable volume control
Change of key assignments
Tales of ARISE
Setting of options upon start-up
Game difficulty setting
Subtitles for in-game audio
Customizable volume control
Change of key assignments
Online Game Safety Guide for Minors and Parents/Guardians
Online games have seen an increasing number of underaged players, including elementary and junior high school students. This has led to increased trouble at home, and a steadily rising number of inquiries related to billing in particular.
To ensure that users can play with peace of mind, we published the Online Game Safety Guide page
for minors and their parents or guardians on Bandai Namco Entertainment’s official website in
December 2022 and Bandai Namco Online’s official website in January 2023. For minors, we have
devised ways to incorporate manga to make the guide more approachable, and we also introduce the
guide in our games. This ensures that a wide range of users read it.
Bandai Namco Entertainment: Online Game Safety Guide(in Japanese only)
Promoting IP-driven initiatives: Gundam Open Innovation
The Bandai Namco Group has been implementing the Gundam Open Innovation project since fiscal 2021 to solicit new ideas and technologies aimed at addressing population and global environmental issues. The Mobile Suit Gundam series, which inspired the project’s name, takes place in the Universal
Century, a fictional age when humankind has immigrated throughout the universe. In the series, a
number of social issues that translate to modern society were identified, including explosive
population growth and a deteriorating global environment. The grand worldviews of Gundam contain
new undiscovered technologies and possibilities that can help resolve these social issues. As a
result, Bandai Namco launched this project which seeks to build and realize a society of the
future with human innovations desired by humankind based on the Universal Century. Under the project, we are broadly recruiting experts, innovators, research institutes, and
cutting-edge companies in various fields as partners to help us achieve this exciting future. To learn more, click
here.
Fostering a Culture of Respect
Initiatives to energize communication among employees
With the diversification of working styles and the increased use of telework, opportunities for face-to-face communication in the workplace are declining. In this context, Bandai Namco Group companies are actively working to energize communication to improve employee engagement. Bandai Namco Entertainment has launched the Minna-no-Ogori (treat for you from everyone)
Vending Machine initiative with the aim of promoting communication among employees. The
Minna-no-Ogori Vending Machine is a unique vending machine where two employees can receive a free
beverage if they touch a dedicated card to the vending machine’s sensor at the same time. This
initiative was started with the hope that the vending machine will provide opportunities for
employees to talk to each other. In addition, we are promoting interaction among employees through
various measures, such as regularly holding Tsunaga (let’s connect) Lobby, a communication event
where employees can gather and interact.
Minna-no-Ogori Vending Machine
Dedicated card
Building Stronger Communities
Creating communication opportunities through games
The TEKKEN series, developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, contributes to the promotion of e-sports and the revitalization of local communities through peoples’ participation in international events and communities hosting of events. TEKKEN 8 was selected as the main event at Evolution Championship Series 2024, the
world's largest fighting game tournament, held in July 2024. In Japan, the Excellent TEKKEN
Festival was held in December 2024 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the TEKKEN series, in
conjunction with the official world tournament finals called TEKKEN World Tour 2024 Global Finals.
Many fans from Japan and abroad attended the events, creating opportunities for communication
across age groups and nationalities through the game.
Invigorating Choshi City through THE IDOLM@STER SideM
In October 2021, we began working with Jupiter, an idol unit affiliated with 315 Productions that appears in Bandai Namco Entertainment’s THE IDOLM@STER SideM, and Choshi Electric Railway. In July 2022, we began our collaboration with Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, to roll out the Choshi PR Campaign. Since then, idols belonging to 315 Productions have engaged in PR activities highlighting popular tourist spots in Choshi City. At these locations, we displayed posters and life-sized panels of these idols and also sold original merchandise, thereby attracting many visitors. Furthermore, in November 2023, members from
the
idol unit DRAMATIC STARS were chosen as the PR ambassadors for the Chiba Branch of East Japan
Railway Company. In December 2023, we commenced the “315 ni ii Choshi” Choshi Tourism Campaign,
which marked the 100th anniversary of Choshi Electric Railway and the start of the EeeE Choshi
Service, a service for planning trips to Choshi City and its surrounding areas.
Performers liven up Yokohama Minato Mirai + THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!
Bandai Namco Entertainment has launched a collaborative initiative with Yokohama Minato Mirai for THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE. In the Minato Mirai 21 area, efforts are being made to promote the Music Port YOKOHAMA campaign, aiming to enhance the city’s appeal and vitality by branding Yokohama as a music city. As part of this initiative, the interactive event, the Million Walking Tour in Minato Mirai was held in conjunction with the THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! 10th LIVE TOUR Act-4 MILLION THE@TER!!!! at K-Arena Yokohama in February 2024. Utilizing Sony Corporation’s Sound AR™ service, Locatone™*, participants were able to experience the sensation of exploring Minato Mirai alongside the performers. * Sound AR™ and Locatone™ are trademarks of
Sony Group Corporation or its affiliated companies.
THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! Collaboration—enhancing regional disaster resilience in local governments
THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! held by Bandai Namco Entertainment collaborated with the Toyosu Disaster Prevention Festiv@l 2024 organized by the Koto Ward Association for Better Regional Disaster Prevention Capabilities to enhance disaster resilience in local governments. The event featured initiatives unique to IP collaborations, such as AED training sessions and the sale of exclusive disaster preparedness items, as well as a venue that immersed attendees in the IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! universe. This attracted not only local residents but also young people, including “producers” (the fan nickname for fans of the THE IDOLM@STER series), who have fewer opportunities to engage in disaster prevention activities, resulting in approximately 33,000 attendees throughout the event.
Scene from the event
One of the exclusive disaster preparedness items (canned soft bread)
Support children’s dreams through outreach classes led by professional athletes
Shimane Susanoo Magic, a professional basketball team partly managed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, hosts the Dream Class, where its basketball players visit kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools in Shimane Prefecture to talk with the children about their dreams for the future. In addition, with the aim of contributing to Matsue City, we actively engage in PR
activities
for various measures, such as promoting reflective materials, eradicating violence, and
activities
for the Central Community Chest of Japan.
Kitagawa and Taniguchi conversing with children during the Dream Class
