Although video games seem pretty resilient to the aftermath of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has not stopped some companies from taking a good look at how it works, one of which is the Japanese giant Konami, the firm behind titles. as Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, Pro Evolution Soccer and current Japanese card topper Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!, which we talked about recently.
Hardcore fans have long claimed that Konami’s glory days were in the past, and it’s certainly true that the firm has issued fewer AAA titles in recent years; it is heavily invested in health centers and also has pachinko and entertainment businesses, and these sectors have so far remained very successful (at least pre-COVID).
If you take this into account, it’s easy to see why the recent news of internal restructuring – recently announced to investors – has led to reports that Konami is leaving the gaming industry (and not for the first time). noted). In the initial announcement, Konami told investors that it intends to dissolve its production divisions “to respond to the fast-paced market that surrounds us.”
However, a Konami spokesperson has now issued a statement to IGN making clear the following plans:
The announcement refers to an internal restructuring, with production divisions being consolidated. We did not ‘close’ our video games section.
It should be noted that key staff members from the three former production divisions have been given roles elsewhere in the company. Shoji Dewa (manager for production division 2 and executive office) will acquire the title ‘senior executive officer’, while Tatsuhiko Yamamoto (general manager, production division 3 and production division 3) will now focus only on the latter department.
These changes are expected to take place on February 1st.