While video games seem to be quite resilient to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that hasn’t stopped some companies from taking a good look at how they operate – one of which is Japanese giant Konami, the company behind the likes. Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, Pro Evolution Soccer and the current leader of the Japanese charts Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!, which we talked about recently.
It has long been argued by hardcore fans that Konami’s glory days are in the past, and it is certainly true that the company has released fewer AAA titles in recent years; it is heavily invested in health centers and also has pachinko and entertainment businesses, and these sectors have been very successful lately (well, pre-COVID, at least).
Taking this into account, it is easy to see why the recent news of internal restructuring – which was recently announced to investors – generated reports that Konami is exiting the gaming business (and not for the first time, it should be noted). In the initial announcement, Konami told investors that it is planning to dissolve its Production Divisions “to respond to the fast-moving market around us”.
However, a Konami spokesman has now issued a statement to IGN that clarifies these plans:
The announcement refers to an internal restructuring, with the consolidation of the Production Divisions. We did not ‘close’ our video game division.
It should be noted that key employees from the three former production divisions have been assigned roles in other parts of the company. Shoji Dewa (manager of Production Division 2 and executive office) will receive the title of ‘senior executive director’, while Tatsuhiko Yamamoto (general manager, Production Division 3 and Production Department 3) will now focus exclusively on the latter department.
These changes are expected to occur on February 1.