As part of its strategy to build Western development capabilities, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S. (BNEE) today announces that subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable Canadian regulatory approvals, they will acquire Reflector Entertainment Ltd. and its subsidiary Reflector Interactive Productions Ltd. from Lune Rouge Innovation Inc. This acquisition furthers BNEE’s content strategy aimed at developing 50% of its content outside of Japan.
“Designing and developing the content we shall publish and distribute is the cornerstone of our strategy,” commented Arnaud Muller, COO of BNEE. “The creative vision and development capacity of Reflector Entertainment will boost BNEE’s ability to craft breathtaking experiences over the years. We look forward to working with such a skilled team, and to welcome them to the BNE family.”
This first strategic move in the incredible Montreal developer community highlights the implementation of Bandai Namco Entertainment’s Mid-term Plan, which aims at strengthening regional headquarters’ autonomy for a greater expansion in global markets.
Founded in 2016 by Alexandre Amancio and Lune Rouge, Reflector is focused on building Storyworlds that people can interact with across a variety of media, including video games, novels, podcasts, movies, and much more.
Its Unknown 9 franchise is being nurtured by the company’s 120 talented employees, which include industry veterans behind some of the best AAA video games coming from Canadian studios. So far, the first book in a novel trilogy written by bestselling author Layton Green, podcast episodes, an issue of the comic book series, and most recently, the teaser for the highly-anticipated Unknown 9: Awakening video game have been revealed to the public.
“The reach to worldwide audiences and the endless entertainment possibilities offered by the synergies with BNEE and the rest of the Group will provide a great long-term perspective for the team, here in Montreal,” commented Alexandre Amancio.
“We believe this acquisition will enable Reflector Entertainment to deepen its transmedia vision to build amazing journeys, while expanding on the work already done on the Unknown 9 franchise and other projects,” said Robert Blain, President of Lune Rouge. “BNEE has an amazing team in place and their skills and knowledge of the industry will guarantee Reflector Entertainment a brilliant future.”
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter 2020. Upon closing of this acquisition, Alexandre Amancio will become Chief Creative Officer of Reflector Entertainment and will operate alongside Hervé Hoerdt, Vice President of Content, Marketing and Digital at BNEE, who will manage the transition as CEO.
