Bandai Namco is rebranding itself next year; fans don't care for the change

[Cal Jeffrey]

In context: Now and then, a company will change its branding. For instance, KFC (formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken) has changed its logo and branding six times since its founding in 1952. These redesigns fly under the radar most of the time, with people only noticing after the fact. That's not the case with a recent Bandai Namco announcement.

Bandai Namco is changing its logo starting next year, and fans aren't impressed. The new logo features a magenta "speech bubble" that looks more like a child's broken model train track at first glance. The company name appears linearly in the neon frame in a plain, rounded, black font. Alternate logos have the tagline: "Fun for All into the Future," one in the linear fashion and another with the company name stacked.

According to a Bandai Namco press release issued Friday, the new logo is supposed to reflect the company's "new purpose." Under the banner, "Fun for All into the Future," the company states its new vision.

"Bandai Namco exists to share dreams, fun and inspiration with people around the world. Connecting people and societies in the enjoyment of uniquely entertaining products and services, we're working to create a brighter future for everyone."

Its current, widely recognized logo was designed in 2005 when Bandai acquired Namco for $1.7 billion. The overlapping colors represented the merging of the two companies.

Bandai Namco says the new logo reflects its reimagined purpose more accurately. The "Fukidashi" (speech bubble) is symbolic of the brand's ability to "connect with people around the world." It also represented the manga culture. It says the magenta-colored motif represents diversity and fun.

Judging by the comments left on the Japanese bulletin board 2ch, fans aren't pleased with the change. Kotaku noted a selection, and most seemed confused or annoyed at the new logo.

"They really thought this was good?" posted one commenter.

"This for real? It's so sh**ty," said another.

Others were more pointed, saying things like, "No personality," "This is so dull," and "It's just letters."

Not all hated it. Some fans said they liked the simple look of the logo. Others were indifferent, "It's fine. I don't really care about logos."

Like it or hate it, Bandai Namco's rebranding begins in April of next year.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/91534-bandai-namco-rebranding-itself-next-year-fans-dont.html

 

[Theinsanegamer]

"It says the magenta-colored motif represents diversity and fun."

I see that namco is getting infested by the west now. Changing the logo represent "diversity" has and never will bode well for future work by any company.

 

[merikafyeah]

Corporate Personality Removal has struck again!

 

[cliffordcooley]

Logos are borderline to being pointless. Changing them is not even borderline pointless.

 

[AMN3S1AC]

I don't really like the old design, but the new one is horribly dull.

 

[captaincranky]

I'm convinced that companies do this from time to time, inflate the cost of doing so greatly, then claim it as a "business expense", and use it as a tax deduction.

It also always comes with a massive amount of bullsh!t, sorry, I meant "spin", about how this will "make the company better able to serve its customers".

 

[Avro Arrow]

I'll preface this by saying that I'm a rabid Ace Combat fan and have been for exactly 20 years.

There are few things in this world that I care less about than the corporate logo of a software studio. I really don't understand how anyone is affected by this one way or the other. I really love Ubisoft games too but I can't for the life of me remember what Ubisoft's corporate logo is. It just doesn't matter to me because a corporate logo has no impact on the games whatsoever.

 

[tellmewhy]

They can test it for some time and if the stock prices don't skyrocket they can go back to the old which is far more distinguishable and memorable.

 

[VaRmeNsI]

Good to seem them becoming more Diverse & Inclusive..

 

[Rayneofpayne]

.....and sell anime adapted games for full price 5 years later with long chains of dlc......

 

[RudyBob]

Cities Service is Citgo now
Unifirst ? What's that mean?
Anyone seen the King Arthur logo?

 

[psycros]

Looks more like a tube of lipstick than a speech bubble. Which might well be the subliminal intent.

 

[captaincranky]

Looks more like a tube of lipstick than a speech bubble. Which might well be the subliminal intent.

So, do you think they're following the old adage about, "putting lipstick on a pig".

Or, is it an enticement for "non-binary individuals", to purchase their games?

I was going to go on with my own prediction on how the government might have to modify the, "sex", tick box at the 2030 Census.. But in order for the post to stay up, I demurred.