18 MCV 04/09/09
WWW.MCVUK.COM
MCV INTERVIEW JOHN GALLOWAY, VP UK AND NORDIC, NAMCO BANDAI PARTNERS to be one of the top five publishers in Europe over the next three to five years. Are you looking to acquire other businesses and offices? All opportunities must be looked at. I can’t comment on any discussions that are currently taking place. We have a European distribution deal with Bethesda in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Benulux and Nordic Territories. We also have a partnership with Monte Cristo and the new Cities XL title, Game Life and Easy Piano for Nintendo DS and we have a new partnership with renowned developer Ninja Theory which previously developed the critically acclaimed Heavenly Sword for PlayStation 3. We have also recently announced Clash of the Titans, which is based on the forthcoming movie, and Majin: The Fallen Realm, which is a stunning adventure from developer Game Republic that pushes boundaries of corporative AI. Our spread of offices allows us to operate in all the key territories. Are you actively seeking new clients? Always. However, we want to be able to deliver great service, so we are careful that we do not over stretch and
can deliver on the agreements we commit too. We offer a one-stop-shop to developers and publishers wanting focus on their titles across Europe. This was a strength of Atari’s, but with the backing of Namco Bandai we will make this work harder.
company and Europe responded very well in terms of sales – sometimes better than the US market. It is an obvious next move for them.
market for a long time to come. We need to remember the overall games market is growing, both in download and boxed product.
What is the biggest challenge for distributors today? For most distributors, I’d say having the bandwidth to deliver. We have that, this is what Namco Bandai has invested in,
Tekken aside, many of Namco’s franchises haven’t been such big successes in Europe. How important is it for Namo Bandai Partners to grow these games in the West? If I can correct you here please? Katamari and Dragon Ball as examples, see some very strong sales across Europe. True, they have in the past been in the shadows in the UK. However, the product quality is great and our aim is to grow awareness of these franchises and in turn increase the sales. They have a very loyal fan base and so greater awareness will lead to greater sales.
What can you offer these companies that other distributors cannot? I truly believe in partnership. Too many Japanese companies need to distributors try to be all to grow out of their own everyone; we will give territory and Europe is the clear focus, feedback and commitment to our next key market. agreements. Distributing John Galloway, N.Bandai our own products gives us the internal sense of owning the so we are set up and in all the key product and giving it full backing. It’s places. Having financial backing is also not just a SKU, it’s true belief in all the key, again a commitment Namco Bandai products we distribute. We are set up has given to us. across Europe, so we don’t focus just on limited markets, which helps developers What are your thoughts on the and publishers as they’re talking to one recent growth spurt in the digital party not three or four. download space? Is it a worry? Not at all. Part of the deal with Atari is Why do you feel so many Japanese to work with them on distributing their companies are heading to the West? boxed product in tandem with them Japanese companies need to grow out of releasing the download versions. For the Japan and Europe is the next key moment, both avenues to the consumer market. For many years they have can work hand-in-hand. Retail will still distributed their games via a distribution play a very important part in the games
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How will you be looking to increase sales of Namco’s titles? Strong marketing, working very closely with retail and ensuring our products are well received by the consumer. We will be announcing some new titles in the near future that will grow our portfolio and appeal.
COMING SOON…
KATAMARI FOREVER Formats: PS3 Release date: September 18th Katamari’s unique gameplay has a huge following worldwide, and the latest game in the series boasts full high-definition graphics.
FAMILY TRAINER EXTREME CHALLENGE Formats: Wii Release date: September 25th The second in Namco Bandai’s popular mini-gamebased Wii fitness franchise improves players’ health via on-screen extreme sports.
TEKKEN 6 Formats: Xbox 360, PS3 Release date: October 30th Namco Bandai’s highly anticipated beat ‘em up arrives on Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 30th, complete with multiple special editions.
GHOSTBUSTERS Formats: DS, PC, 360, Wii Release date: October 23rd Already available on PlayStation formats, Atari will finally release Ghostbusters on the other platforms across Europe.
DRAGON BALL: RAGING BLAST Formats: Xbox 360, PS3 Release date: October 23rd Dragon Ball fans can also look forward to Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans on DS and Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo on Wii.
TALES OF SYMPHONIA: DAWN OF THE NEW WORLD Formats: Wii Release date: November The sequel to the hit GameCube RPG has already been won big review scores and large sales in Japan.