Tales Studios Nearing Bankruptcy

[Gilghamut]

Long time no post from me. Found this regarding the developer of the 'Tales' series.

Tales Studio, the Namco Bandai subsidiary responsible for the long running Tales series of RPGs, has been revealed to be in dire financial straits.
The company is 100% privately held by Namco Bandai, so its public reporting of accounts is limited, but what it has published recently is none too promising:

These figures essentially show an annual loss of 1 million dollars and an accumulated debt of 21 million dollars, exceeding their total assets – the company will either go bankrupt, “restructure,” or go cap in hand to Bandai bosses begging for more cash based on promises of future success – which may be problematic considering the size of the loss they are dealing with themselves.
An alternative might be a re-absorption into Namco Bandai, although this would not guarantee any success in actually tackling the decline of the franchise.

Tales Studio Near Bankruptcy – Tales Series Doomed? | Sankaku Complex

[Mo-Nercy]

The parent company, Namco, posted a big loss for 2009 earlier this year, I believe. So I don't know if they would want to re-absorb Tales or give them a hand out. It's a shame. I love Tales of Phantasia =(

[Rad Bromance]

Is Tales of Arcadia one of their titles?

Jesus that game was terrible.

[Dreddz]

Not surprising for a developer that churns out the exact same game every time. I was done with the Tales series years ago.

[Jiro]

Not surprising for a developer that churns out the exact same game every time.

This could be said for a number of developers, really. I'm still sad to see this, I've been a fan of the Tales style for a while now.

On the bright side, if they release a great game they should bail themselves out

[qwertysaur]

I love the tales series. The battle system is a lot of fun.

[Slothy]

On the bright side, if they release a great game they should bail themselves out

Depending on just how much more debt they have than assets they may never get to make another game. At some point things like restructuring or the parent company bailing you out, especially if they're suffering from some hard times themselves, are not only unlikely but impossible.

Hopefully things aren't that bad mind you. I haven't played a Tales game since Symphonia, but it was the best game on the Gamecube. And I do mean that in the best possible way even though that statement isn't really saying much.

[LunarWeaver]

By the time I beat Tales of Vesperia, I realized I harbored hatred for the series as if it broke up with me on prom night or something. The love we had once shared years ago was gone. But regardless, I'd hate to see them sink fo' sure or anything. They often showed glimpses of doing something different, only to throw in every RPG cliche they could find by Googling "RPG cliche lists" all around any originality. Made me saaaad.

[Clo]

I'm playing Tales of Destiny right now and it's not so bad. Did the series grow progressively worse?

[Vermachtnis]

I haven't played a Tales of game since Abyss. Partly because I don't own a current gen system and partly them not releasing the hand held games over seas. Tales of Hearts is suppose to be really good, why won't they release it over here. I'd buy it.

[Vyk]

I've only played 2 Tales games. I didn't hate them. But I didn't beat them. They both wound up feeling like a chore. One and two generations ago. Never really tried any other Tales games. I hope they get absorbed by another company and learn to branch out. But we'll see

[black orb]

>>> Thats what they get for not releasing all the good Tales games over seas..

[VexNet]

I'm playing Tales of Destiny right now and it's not so bad. Did the series grow progressively worse?

I think it's the oppossite, they've gotten progressively better.
I loved Symphonia, enjoyed Destiny, loved Vesperia and look forward to playing Abyss and Graces

[Laddy]

Tales of Legends II, Tales of Symphonia, and Tales of the Abyss are some of my favs.

This is awful news.