Bandai Digital Entertainment

Background

Bandai Digital Entertainment Company (BDE or BDEC) refers to the Japanese and American subsidiaries of Bandai that published software titles for the Pippin Atmark and Pippin @WORLD consoles, respectively.

It's parent company Bandai licensed the technology for the Pippin platform from Apple Computer in December 1994. Bandai promoted early Pippin development under the name of Bandai Digital Software at the 1995 Tokyo Toy Show in June. Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation was established in October 1995 to support the platform and developers in the United States. Bandai Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. was formed on January 9, 1996 to support the platform in Japan.

On February 27, 1998, Bandai announced that it would officially abandon the Pippin platform and close the company on March 13, 1998, after only 30,000 and 12,000 units we're sold respectively in Japan and the United States. Its facilities and staff were absorbed by other divisions of Bandai.

1st Logo (Mid 1996?-1997)

Visuals: A black skyline is shown from the bottom against a teal gradient background over a masked circle. Four yellow searchlights appear individually, with two from the front rotating only. A cornflower blue colored blimp slowly zooms in, going out of bounds at one point from the circle, before settled in its respective position. The blimp contains the "BDE" label plastered to the side. A row of three words "Bandai Digital Entertainment" zoom forward in unison, while changing rotations to the front. A blue ball of light can be faintly seen reflected from the lateral faces of "Digital".

Variants:

A still version of the latter exists, with a copyright stamp included beneath.
Another still version exists where the print logo is on a white background.
- Gundam 0072: The War For Earth has the print logo included on a white horizontal rectangle on a black background. Drop shadows are visible on the print logo.
Another still version is used on Movioke, where the print logo is on a black background. A move icon from a cursor can be faintly seen from the lower-right corner.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Three loud 'thuds', followed by a sound of an engine(?) revving. A metal clang is then heard for the words.

Audio Variant: For most still versions, none or the opening theme.

Availability: It is most commonly spotted on Atmark and/or @World games, examples are Super Marathon, Gokigen Mama no Omakase Diary, Power Rangers Zeo vs The Machine Empire (the latter where the animated version is only seen on) and others. Also spotted on PC games, such as Tamagotchi.

2nd Logo (1997)

Visuals: A panoramic shot of a CGI-rendered skyline with three searchlights is shown. The blimp from before passes through from the right, leading to a brief close-up shot of the blimp from the side with a searchlight lightening it up. This then leads to another panoramic shot from the bottom in an upwards view, where the blimp from a downwards view and at a diagonal angle gets close to the screen, where everything dissipates to a white background containing the print logo.

Technique: CGI shots rendered by frame with computer animation.

Audio: A self-composed rock infused sample with a guitar and drums involved.

Availability: Spotted only on Mobile Suit Gundam: Zion Dukedom Military-File for the Pippin.

External Link

Bandai Digital Entertainment on Pippin @World & Atmark Wiki