Namco Bandai released its financial reports for the first half of the fiscal year on Friday, revealing that the company has lost 1.93 billion yen (approx. $23.7 million USD) in the last six months, mostly in overseas markets. The company estimated that it will lose 5 billion yen ($61.5 million) in operating income from the Americas and Europe this fiscal year, yet it predicts domestic operating income will be 18 billion yen ($221 million) – triple what it was in 2009.
In a quote given to Japan’s Nikkei Shimbun (via Hachimaki), company president Shukuo Ishikawa said, “As far as overseas development is concerned, we’re not going to push ourselves.” The newspaper noted that the company has had multiple products in development and this “led to delays and a decline in quality.” The company’s own presentation materials (also on Hachimaki) show that 2010 releases Clash of the Titans, Dead to Rights Retribution and Enslaved all failed to meet sales goals. Likewise, forthcoming titles Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom and Splatterhouse are expected to underperform.
In contrast, the Nikkei reported the company’s toy and card game sales are very strong. “The domestic holiday season won’t be bad,” Ishikawa said.
