Namco establishes mobile subsidiary

The mobile industry has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years, and it only looks to get bigger in the future. Namco America today announced its intentions to be a major player in that industry with the formation of Namco Networks America, a mobile consumer entertainment company.

While the company is new, the philosophy appears to be a simple extension of what Namco had already been doing with its Namco Wireless content division. Namco Wireless not only offers downloadable Namco games like Ms. Pac-Man and New Rally-X for mobile phones, but also it offers ringtones based on games and popular songs from the likes of Nirvana, Kanye West, and Fall Out Boy through the Pac-Man's Arcade Corner service.

When it begins operations on January 1, 2006, Namco Networks America will be headed by president, CEO, and COO Kenji Hisatsune. Hisatsune is currently serving as executive vice president and COO of Namco America. The new company will operate under the parent company Namco Bandai Holdings, the result of Namco's recent merger with Bandai.

"The mobile games industry is thriving, and the establishment of Namco Networks shows our dedication to the mobile and network industry," Hisatsune stated, adding, "We are looking forward to expanding our business offerings to allow for growth and opportunity in all aspects of the mobile and networks industry," he said.