Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. has launched the Gundam Metaverse on Amazon Web Services (AWS), giving fans around the world a new way to connect with the long-running franchise.
The metaverse, which opened on April 20, is available until May 19 through the official website and supports English, Japanese, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).
“We’re using AWS’s low-latency, highly available services, available from its global infrastructure, to speed up content development,” said Nao Udagawa, president and CEO at Bandai Namco Entertainment. “It serves as the driving force that delivers new surprises and emotional experiences to our fans.”
Immersive 3D environments
The Gundam Metaverse runs on Amazon GameLift Streams, a new AWS feature that lets users access immersive 3D environments on PCs and smartphones. Fans can join virtual events, shop for Gundam merchandise, and play mini-games with user-made Gundam models: all without downloading extra software.
To support global users, Bandai Namco added Amazon Translate for real-time chats in multiple languages. The company also integrated Amazon Anywhere, which allows US users to buy real Gundam products while exploring the metaverse.
Making development more efficient
Bandai Namco developed the metaverse with help from AWS experts and services. By using AWS for version control, secure backups, and game builds through Unreal Engine, the company aims to make development faster and more efficient. It also plans to explore Amazon Bedrock for adding generative AI features.
“Japan is a powerhouse in the global media and entertainment industry, attracting fans across the globe, and Gundam is a rich part of Japanese culture that fuses the creativity of diverse creators, builders, and fans,” said Akihiko Shirahata, president at AWS Japan.
Gundam started in 1979 and has grown into a popular global franchise owned by the Bandai Namco Group.
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