While video games appear to be quite resistant to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this has not stopped some companies from analyzing their operation well and hard, one of which is the Japanese giant Konami, the firm that is behind the titles. I like Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, Pro evolution soccer and the current Japanese top-topper Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!, which we talked about recently.
Fans have long claimed that Konami’s glory days are over, and it’s true that the firm has released fewer AAA titles in recent years; has a large investment in health centers and also has pachinko and amusement companies, and these sectors have proven to be a success recently (well, pre-COVID, anyway).
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why recent news about internal restructuring (recently announced to investors) has triggered reports that Konami is out of the gaming business (and not for the first time, it needs to be in account). In the initial announcement, Konami told investors it plans to dissolve its production divisions “to respond to the rapid market surrounding us.”
However, a Konami spokesman has issued a statement to IGN clarifying these plans:
The announcement refers to an internal restructuring, with the consolidation of production divisions. We haven’t “closed” our video game division.
It should be noted that important personnel from the three former production divisions have been assigned positions elsewhere in the company. Shoji Dewa (manager of production division 2 and executive office) will get the title of “senior executive”, while Tatsuhiko Yamamoto (general manager, production division 3 and production department 3) will now focus solely on the latter department.
These changes are expected to occur on February 1st.