Mon, Nov 21, 2011 | 05:40 GMT
Tales development studio to be dissolved
The development studio behind Namco Bandai’s Tales series of RPGs is to be absorbed into the body corporate.
Andriasang reports the Tales studio currently exists as a wholly-owned subsidiary, but will cease to exist as a distinct entity on January 1, 2012, if approved at a board meeting on November 29.
The publisher gave no explanation for the move, nor any information on the future of the studio’s 109 employees. As there are multiple Tales-projects in the works, and Namco Bandai has given no indication that development will cease once the studio is disbanded, it may be just a formality.
The long-running Tales series runs to a dozen core entries, as well as another 19 spin-offs and remakes, in addition to various cross-media efforts. It has been patchily localised despite strong fan demand; the latest release in English is 3DS title Tales of the Abyss, while PlayStation 3 entry Tales of Xillia has not been confirmed for release outside Japan – where it has proved a strong seller.
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Posted in: Namco Bandai, RPG
Tags: Tales, Tales of Xillia, Tales Studio
8 comments
#1
xino
21/11/11, 8:42 am
phss oh well…like i care.
Their games only makes between 5k or less. No 1 million.
Worst yet, many of their games doesn’t come outside of Japan.
So WHY are they even making games in the first place!? wtf is this sh*?
#2
Erthazus
21/11/11, 9:55 am
Awesome. Now release it outside of Japan. M’kay?
@1,
1) because they like making games.
2) because Tales series sell well in Japan.
3) because you ask stupid questions.
#3
The_Red
21/11/11, 11:26 am
@ Their games actually do sell. Tales of Versperia did really well earlier this gen and also got great review scores. Plus as Erth said, their titles are hot in Japan.
This is a rather strange move on Namco’s part. After Dark Souls and new Ace Combat game I was really starting to like them but now…
#4
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21/11/11, 11:45 am
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#5
Ireland Michael
21/11/11, 12:20 pm
The headline is making this sound a lot more alarmist than the situation actually is. (Like that’s a surprise on VG247.)
If anything, dissolving Tales as a team probably means they’re going to focus the company on the Tales of… brand even more. There’s multiple games in the franchise being worked on as we speak,and we see more of them being released than ever. Obviously it’s not losing any momentum or anything.
I’ve never really understood Namco’s odd obsession with branching everything off into teams all the time, when everything is being done inhouse anyway.
#6
Clupula
21/11/11, 1:02 pm
You forgot to mention Tales of Graces F is getting a Western PS3 release early next year.
#7
Zana
21/11/11, 1:03 pm
I was quite happy when I read the headline because Tales of enbodies everything that’s bad in JRPG. I was disappointed when I read the actual news.
#8
ultramega
21/11/11, 4:08 pm
@7
It’s always a sick occurrence when I have to watch someone show contempt for the happiness or pleasures of others.
You don’t like the games. Great. That doesn’t mean they should stop being produced for your own gaiety.