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Namco Announces Profits, Release Dates

05.26.2004

PHILLIP CLAYTON
STAFF REPORTER

Namco is laughing all the way to the bank, it seems. Thanks to a plethora of hit games, they're enjoying a hefty profit increase.

Namco's profit ballooned 83.3 percent to 7.6 billion yen ($67.2 million), the Japan Times reported. Their pre-tax profit rose 64.4 percent to 14.4 billion yen ($128.1 million), while their operating revenue rose 11.5 percent to $172.6 yen ($1.5 billion). Their improved earnings have been attributed to strong sales of its arcade and console games. The article didn't go into specifics, but it's common knowledge that Taiko no Tatsujin, the Japanese taiko-drumming game, was a huge hit in Japan.

As for international games, Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht and Time Crisis 3 both did well. The success of Soul Caliber II, however, eclipsed them both.

Also, as part of its recent financial report, Namco revealed its software release schedule for the coming year. Tales of Rebirth is on track for a release in Japan sometime in 2005. Xenosaga Episode 2 for PS2 is set for Europe at the beginning of 2005, while Tales of Symphonia on GameCube is set for Europe in July.