Bandai Namco's $130 Million USD 'Gundam' Metaverse Will Let Users "Battle" Each Other
Combining all aspects of the franchise including anime, toys, music and games.
Last month, Bandai Namco announced its plans to create a metaverse built around its Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, and now, the Japanese media giant has revealed more details about it.
According to reports, Bandai Namco will be investing roughly $130 million USD into the project which will create a “fusion” of digital and physical experiences for Gundam fans. Aside from purchasing Gunpla kits directly in the virtual space, hobbyists can also upload images and other data on the Gunpla models they’ve built, using this information to “battle” with other users in the metaverse.
The entire space will consist of numerous different categories relating to Gundam, including its toys, anime, music, and video games. Each category will have its own virtual “Colony” offering unique services, and an esports colony will also be launched in 2022 with a focus on both Gundam Evolution and Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation 2. Connecting all these different branches is a universal hub called “SIDE-G.”
Since the development of the metaverse is still in its early stages, no precise release date has been given by Bandai Namco, but the company hopes to have it up and running by 2025. For the Gundam fans out there, stay tuned for more updates to come.
In other related news, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury has unveiled the franchise’s first-ever female protagonist.
