Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
LinkedIn Profile Suggests Bandai Namco Is Working On Switch-Exclusive FPS And Ridge Racer 8
Late last night, a LinkedIn profile was discovered of a developer at Bandai Namco, which seemingly spilled a lot of beans about the company's upcoming projects.
The LinkedIn bio made reference to several projects past and present, as is the point of the resume-oriented website, but also tipped its hand on games that have yet to be announced. In one instance, the profile references an "Unannounced IP (First Person Shooter/Adventure Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch)," which is very specific wording.
Another listing outright refers to Ridge Racer 8, a game which has not been announced in any capacity from Bandai Namco, and details it as a "drift-based high speed car racing [game] exclusive to the Nintendo Switch."
While now removed from the profile, his accomplishments have referenced leading meetings for both Bandai Namco and presentations to Nintendo, as well as recent work modernizing the user interface in older games for current standards. Bandai Namco has been heavily speculated as Nintendo's partner for Metroid Prime 4, just as they were for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U, which would fit the "First-Person Adventure" distinction fairly well.
In November last year, Bandai Namco said that they are planning three "big" Switch exclusives for 2018, but did not give any details on the titles. The Singapore studio is primarily made up of LucasArts developers, including the former Star Wars 1313 team.
We have reached out to Bandai Namco to verify the developer's employment, but have not received comment as of writing. We will update the story as soon as they get back to us.
Our Take
While Metroid Prime 4 is a good guess, the bit about modernizing UI makes me wonder if Bandai Namco and Nintendo are also producing a Switch version of Metroid Prime Trilogy. It would be a good way to satiate fans who might be waiting a long time for the new game. The bit about Ridge Racer 8 is interesting and would fit with Bandai Namco's description of a "big" exclusive.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
