Namco and DeNA Form Mobile Social Games Joint Venture

Namco Bandai, publisher of Pac-Man and other game titles, is forming a joint venture with DeNA, which has developed a social network for mobile phones. The new Tokyo-based company, which will be named BDNA, will draw on the expertise of both companies to make social games for smartphones. BDNA will be funded with 100 million yen ($1.3 million), of which 75 percent is coming from Namco. The company will begin operations on Oct. 1.