FromSoftware Has Full Rights to Elden Ring Trademark. Publisher of Hit Soulslike Bets on Quality
Turns out that Bandai Namco Entertainment has lost all rights to the 'Elden Ring' trademark to FromSoftware studio. The publisher announced changes in company policy after the corporation experienced substantial revenue declines.
Bandai Namco Entertainment is no longer the owner of the "Elden Ring" trademark, according to information found in documents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Surprisingly, the company that served as the publisher of the popular soulslike game in the international market lost that role in March 2023, just 13 months after the game was released. This means that full rights to the trademark now belong to the devs of Elden Ring, the FromSoftware studio.
Bandai Namco counts losses and announces changes
Meanwhile, the situation at Bandai Namco doesn't look good. From the financial report for the last quarter of last year, we learn that the Japanese company's entertainment division - mainly covering video games - recorded total revenue 3.9% higher compared to the same period of 2022, but sales of digital goods were 8.9% lower, which resulted in a profit lower by 28.5% year on year.
These differences result from the fact that in 2022, Elden Ring was still reigning supreme worldwide, whereas a year later, Bandai Namco no longer had a title capable of replicating the success of FromSoftware's creation.
As a result, the company's leaders announced a new policy focused on offering better quality titles. Therefore, the corporation decided to cancel at least five games that were in development.
We have also decided to discontinue the development of at least five other titles under development and have recorded a loss on disposal - explained Bandai Namco representatives at a meeting with investors (via VGC).
Perhaps the company's situation will be improved by the release of Tekken 8. According to recent reports, this fighting game has sold 2 million copies within three weeks of its release. In the new fiscal year that starts in April, Bandai Namco plans to release titles such as Sand Land and Little Nightmares III.
