Konami has been the source of endless controversy and confusion over the last month or two. A planned corporate restructure has led to internal strife and a good amount of worry from the company’s many fans. The clearing of Hideo Kojima’s name and cancellation of a number of his projects was just the beginning, with everything culminating in Konami releasing a statement that outlined theif shift toward mobile gaming. However, this thoroughly displeased the gaming populace, and today Konami looks to mend fences a little bit, issuing an apology for the confusion their messaging has caused and reiterating that they still intend to remain a presence in the console and PC gaming arena.
We are aware that the conjecture surrounding our recent changes has prompted a great deal of anxiety, for which we apologize
“We are aware that the conjecture surrounding our recent changes has prompted a great deal of anxiety, for which we apologize.” Konami PR Director Jay Boor said in a letter sent to various outlets. “Konami, as a company, underwent a major structural reorganization in March this year. The aim of this reform has been to guarantee that, in the quickly-changing digital entertainment industry where new game designs and platforms constantly alter the market environment, we can accurately observe new customer demands and market trends, and apply our long-established technology and know how quickly and effectively with a range of targeted responses.”
Speaking of the Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill franchises, which have been particularly affected by the current turmoil, the letter states, “We have nurtured them with care over many years since their inception, and will continue to produce products for both franchises, but we are not currently at a stage where we can announce the path these future titles will take.”
In reference to the shift toward mobile gaming, Konami released a translation of an interview with their President Hideki Hayakawa, which reads “Recently we often hear the term ‘Mobile First,’ and I want to specify that Konami’s idea of Mobile First is not at all to focus purely on mobile games. Our aim is to
continue to build up a comprehensive portfolio of console, arcade, and card game titles for each IP while also making the best possible use of the mobile devices that accompany our customers in their daily life, thus expanding the limits of entertainment and appealing to more and more customers.”
