Namco
Namco is a Japanese game developing company. After a recent merger with Bandai to form Namco Bandai Holdings Inc., they are now responsible for publishing the .hack game series.
Company History :
Namco was founded in 1955 as a toy manufacturing company. In 1974 it acquired the rights to publish Atari products in Japan, transforming it into one of Japan's leading game companies. Some of its products, including the iconic Pac-Man, would eventually find their way to American shores. The company dominated the arcade market in both Japan and the United States and later began developing games for the PlayStation system. In 2005 the company merged with Bandai to form Namco Bandai Holdings Inc.
Bandai
Company History :
Bandai Japan, one of Japan's leading producers of various media and retail merchandise, including video games, toys, TV series, and the like, is the publication company and driving force behind the .hack Universe. Established in 1950, Bandai has grown into the 3rd largest producer of toys in the world. Though once its own independent company, a recent merger with video game developer Namco has left it in the hands of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.
.hack and BeyondEdit
With new products being developed regularly, Bandai has made every attempt imaginable to extend .hack to its limits, making it a multimedia experience that spans endless platforms of entertainment, including novels, manga, TV series, OVAs, and video games. With a new game series on the horizon, and no doubt countless more surprises, Bandai never ceases to wow .hack fans with new and exciting concepts.
Bandai America
Bandai America is responsible for the American domestication and licensing of the .hack franchise. Famous in specific for series such as Power Rangers (Super Sentai), Bandai America is one of the largest importers of Japanese consumer entertainment products in the United States. BA has shown great diligence in assuring American fans of a steady flow of .hack products. Industry standards being what they are, Bandai has displayed a high level of respect for what their audience craves: Pure, clean, unedited translation and domestication, from start to finish. While they have taken a certain level of artistic license in their translations, such as Sora's apparent fondness of "1337-speak," and some level of censorship, including Skeith's Red Wand image, Bandai America has done a commendable job ensuring the approval of their fans and customers.
