Final 12 months, Japanese writer Bandai Namco introduced that it was putting off its brand, the identical one it had used because the two previously separate corporations had merged all the way in which again in 2006.
“Our present brand expresses the fusion of Bandai and Namco that was created when the 2 corporations built-in”, a press release stated again in September 2021, explaining why for 16 years one of many world’s greatest online game publishers has had a brand that was principally two colored blobs smooshed collectively.
The brand new brand revealed was much less cooperative, “[reflecting] our new objective” as a single firm. It swapped out the blobs for a Nintendo-esque border, and the sundown color palette was changed with black and pink.
It was not effectively acquired, which maybe explains why we’re solely seeing the emblem seem on the corporate’s merchandise now, over six months later, and with some adjustments having been made. The pink border has been changed with a crimson one:
Which in some methods is a clearer callback to the outdated Namco days, and in others makes it seem like a road signal. Which in flip makes me consider:
However no matter! I nonetheless prefer it, regardless of the quantity of shit it’s getting from people. Firstly as a result of it’s a transparent enchancment over the outdated brand, which was horribly dated and seemed extra like one thing you’d see in a mannequin practice store (which, given Bandai’s historical past within the scene, was possibly the purpose!) or as the emblem of a 2000’s child’s TV present.
The brand new one is clearer, simpler to scan (road indicators are designed like that for a cause!) and I notably just like the little “speech bubble” hook within the nook, which breaks issues up. Right here’s how Bandai Namco clarify that little quirk:
The brand new brand’s speech bubble motif, “Fukidashi” in Japanese, expresses the potential of the model to attach with folks world wide and encourage them with superb concepts. The speech bubble additionally represents Japan’s manga tradition that has develop into so in style in all places. The brand stands for our willpower to speak with followers worldwide, to attach with our followers, and to create leisure distinctive to Bandai Namco. The magenta used because the motif coloration not solely represents variety, but additionally creates a brilliant and enjoyable impression and is straightforward to breed.
Like I stated, regardless of the old-ish announcement that is solely simply beginning to roll out now, so anybody choosing up, say, a late copy of Elden Ring will probably be seeing the brand new brand as an alternative of the outdated one:
Yet one more factor earlier than we go: if the official company providing is to not your liking, possibly this novice take, which leans extra closely on the previous, is:
