Bandai Namco has announced plans to raise its basic pay rate in Japan from April 2022.

As noted in a press release (via Google Translate), the Elden Ring publisher will raise the basic salary of all employees by an average of 50,000 yen ($435) per month. The Japanese company is also increasing its starting salary to 290,000 yen ($2500) from 232,000 yen ($2000).

Bandai said it wants to stabilize employee income, and explained it will also be introducing "Activity Based Working" to let staff tailor their personal work schedule in a bid to boost autonomy and creativity.

"Through this revision, we will realize the new medium-term vision with the basic policy of improving the workability of employees, exceeding the expectations of fans all over the world with high-quality content and various entertainment that can be played for a long time and deeply," adds the announcement.

In its most recent fiscal report, Bandai Namco said it plans to spend $130 million creating an "IP metaverse" with a view to maximising the value of its various franchises in the medium to long-term.