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In a move that strengthens its development pipeline, Nintendo has confirmed that it will acquire a major stake in Bandai Namco Studios Singapore (BNSS). The studio will be renamed Nintendo Studios Singapore. This marks a rare instance of Nintendo formally absorbing a third-party affiliated studio — a notable change from its historically insular development model.

The Deal: What Exactly Is Happening?

On April 1, 2026, Nintendo plans to acquire **80% of BNSS shares**.
The remaining 20% will be acquired later once operations stabilise — meaning the studio will be fully part of Nintendo long-term.
After acquisition, BNSS will operate under the name “Nintendo Studios Singapore Pte. Ltd.” — retaining its base in Singapore.
Nintendo stated the move is meant to “strengthen its development structure,” citing BNSS’s proven track record creating in-game art assets and previous collaborations with Nintendo.

BNSS’ History & What They’ve Worked On

Founded in 2013, Bandai Namco Studios Singapore has contributed to a variety of major video game franchises across different companies. Its credits include:

Support work on Splatoon 3 — concept art, character modelling, environment design, animation.
Work on other major Bandai Namco titles such as Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, Tekken 7 / Tekken 8, and Soul Calibur VI among others.

This background suggests that Nintendo isn’t acquiring the studio to absorb its existing IPs — but rather to permanently integrate a proven, experienced development team with skills in art, asset creation, and support development work.

What This Means for Nintendo & Its Fans

More internal capacity: By bringing BNSS in-house, Nintendo expands its internal team pool — which could speed up development, improve quality control, or allow for more simultaneous projects.
Support for big franchises: Given BNSS’s history of working on support/art aspects for big games (e.g. Splatoon 3), future Nintendo projects — especially large-scale or asset-heavy ones — may benefit from additional manpower and experience.
Potential smoother workflows: When collaboration happens under a single corporate roof, communications and resource sharing often improve. This could reduce delays and make multi-studio Nintendo titles more consistent.
Continuity for the Singapore studio: Despite the ownership change, the studio is expected to continue development operations — meaning staff, workflow and possibly ongoing external contracts remain intact.

What It Doesn’t Mean — And What You Shouldn’t Expect

No IP transfer: Nintendo did not acquire Bandai Namco itself, only the Singapore-based studio. That means all Bandai Namco franchises (Tekken, Ace Combat, Soul Calibur, etc.) remain under Bandai Namco’s control.
No guarantees for big new games: The studio is described primarily as an art/asset-creation outfit — so it may not lead full game development from start to finish. It’s more likely to support larger teams.
Gradual integration: The acquisition isn’t immediate — 80% will transfer in April 2026, and full integration will depend on stable operations. Expect changes to be phased over time, not overnight.

Why This Acquisition Matters in a Broader Context

Nintendo has long maintained a cautious, selective approach toward studio acquisitions — preferring to nurture small internal teams or work with trusted external partners. This move suggests a subtle shift toward expanding internal capacity by absorbing proven support studios.

For the industry, it signals that even major publishers see value in consolidating trusted partners rather than constantly outsourcing. It might also set a precedent: other big studios might opt to convert long-term collaborators into internal teams — especially in regions where localisation, art assets, or external support are more cost-effective.

The Bottom Line

The acquisition of Bandai Namco Studios Singapore by Nintendo is a strategic — not dramatic — move. It doesn’t mean Nintendo is buying Bandai Namco or merging with them. Instead, it shows Nintendo doubling down on reliable development talent and strengthening its internal infrastructure. For fans and players, it could mean smoother development cycles and possibly richer support for future Nintendo titles — but it probably won’t affect the fate of Bandai Namco IPs or lead to crossover content.