Topic: Big shake ups at Konami, Hideo Kojima could be leaving

[Ratty]

http://apgnation.com/articles/2015/03/19/15167/big-changes-on-the-horizon-for-konami

The heads of the "Love Plus" and "Tokimeki Memorial" game series have left, though Konami has issued a statement that they plan to continue producing both series. Meanwhile Hideo Kojima is rumored to be leaving Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid 5, with lots of evidence seeming to point that way. Take a look at the article.

I wonder what this could mean for Castlevania? They might be forced to resurrect the series earlier than they had planned to if Kojima leaves them high and dry for MGS, since that's a series I can't see being widely embraced once he leaves. What do you think?

[Charlotte-nyo:3]

Unfortunately nothing says they need to continue to put out AA or AAA games. They can simply retreat into the pachi-slot and mobile background and disappear from the stage of history.

[RichterB]

This news is popping up everywhere. Very intriguing, and a bit startling in some regards. It seems Konami is trying to contract, streamline, and centralize its business, similarly to what we've seen with Sega in some ways. (This has been gradually happening since the early/mid-2000s, with KCEN, KCEK, and KCET closing for instance, but this seems to be a bigger shift.) Unfortunately, Charlotte-nyo:3 may be on the right track above with them going for an even bigger focus on the Mobile and Pachi-Slot businesses. Risk and reward are key at this time in the industry. Though the corporate shakeup hasn't been anywhere near as sharp, even Nintendo has announced a new commitment to mobile gaming now, which shows an industry-wide shift. I think Konami will still put out AA and AAA console games for a little while, and maybe even longer--so long as they prove profitable. The bright side might be that they will be encouraged to do something with Castlevania's IP again*, but there are no guarantees.

What I'm trying to figure out is if Kojima--assuming it's true that he's leaving--will be able to keep the rights/use of the recently developed "Fox Engine" and/or the international staff he's acquired for Kojima Productions. There seem to be conflicting notes in these stories about the latter part, in particular, with Kojima Productions job openings redirecting to Konami.

Interesting times...

*It's funny/sad to say "do something with the Castlevania IP"...because I know LoS was ultimately just that. A huge gamble to reinvent the series. But I wonder if something safer with established CV audiences might prove beneficial going forward in the short run. Who can say in terms of the bottom line.

[Shiroi Koumori]

Aside from the pachislots and mobile games, remember Konami is making a killing at Yu-gi-oh.
Not to mention those sports clubs they own in Japan.

[Koutei]

Probably, Konami's IP would be utilized at the casino.

https://www.gaming.konami.com/Games.aspx

[Nagumo]

Unfortunately nothing says they need to continue to put out AA or AAA games. They can simply retreat into the pachi-slot and mobile background and disappear from the stage of history.

Probably, Konami's IP would be utilized at the casino.

https://www.gaming.konami.com/Games.aspx

Seems like this would be right on the money. There's a rumor they are going to release pachislots based on Silent Hill and Metal Gear, and a Castlevania pachinko.

[Rugal]

First Konami ruins Castlevania, now this.

[JR]

Unfortunately nothing says they need to continue to put out AA or AAA games. They can simply retreat into the pachi-slot and mobile background and disappear from the stage of history.

I'm wondering if we'll see CV games relegated to sloppy mobile ports in an attempt to make a quick buck.

Really wonder what this means for the future of their console games as a whole.