Konami insists it has not shut down its video game division despite internal restructure
Gear up.
Konami has insisted it has not shut down its video game division amid an internal restructure that has led to the consolidation of its production divisions.
Yesterday it emerged that Konami had announced plans to dissolve its three production divisions "to respond to the rapid market that surrounds us". The announcement, made on Konami's corporate website, also revealed a personnel reshuffle that sees production division bosses in new roles.
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This news was reported by some outlets as evidence that Konami was ditching video game development, but representatives for the company have since insisted this is not the case.
"The announcement made refers to an internal restructure, with Production Divisions being consolidated. We have not 'shut down' our video gaming division."
The role of the divisions was to supervise the production departments, and it's these production departments that are responsible for game development, and remain in place, Konami has explained.
After this restructure comes into effect on 1st February 2021, the production departments will report directly to upper management. Konami hopes this will let them respond quickly to market changes.
Konami has of course come under fire in recent years for its declining video game output. While it continues to release PES games, its non-football development is sporadic at best. In 2017 Konami released the well-received Super Bomberman R, which recently got a 64-player battle royale released first on Google Stadia. In 2018 Konami released Metal Gear Survive - Metal Gear's first post-Kojima outing. Since then Konami has focused on releasing anniversary collections of old games, such as Castlevania and Contra.
Currently, PES 2022 is the only confirmed next-gen game in the works at Konami. While rumours persist of a new Silent Hill game being worked on, Konami has yet to announce it.
Konami is about much more than video games these days. Its Digital Entertainment Business focuses on video games across PC, console and mobile, as well as card games. It has an Amusement Business focused on the Asia market. Its Gaming and Systems Business makes and sells gambling machines and casino management systems. And it even has a Sports business, which operates fitness clubs and sports classes in Japan.