Nikkei Konami Article Summary

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Retweeting with the same request to my own followers, too. This is something I'm very interested to ready in full. twitter.com/markmacd/statu…

Mark MacDonald @markmacd

Nikkei login anyone? New article on Konami (Jpn only) seems pretty scathing, talking creators leaving & mgmt silence nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO…

2015-08-03 13:24:37

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Nevermind, you can read the Nikkei article fine with a free account if you're willing to use up one of your alloted 10 free articles monthly

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Jesus, this Nikkei article on Konami. $80+ million spent on MGS5's dev as of April if it's to be believed.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Momotaro Densetsu apparently jettisoned by Konami over disagreements over revenue split with creator. Happaned without warning.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Ah, quick correction: I meant to say Momotaro DENTETSU earlier, not Densetsu, regarding the Nintendo stuff and whatnot. Sorry!

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

New Momotaro Densetsu game has instead been licensed out to Nintendo for release next year. Konami only interested in licensing fee.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

As already known, Love Plus creator left. Development halted for Tokimeki Memori and Suikoden, as well.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

This is not to say that new games were actively in development, mind. Just that what was already stalled is now extra stalled.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

One employee feels turning point was when Konami launched Dragon Collection for mobile. Lots of money made with sub-$1 mil budget.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

This was back around 2010. Kagemasa, Konami founder, not keen on increasing budget for console games with diminishing returns.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Jesus, Konami's internal culture sounds poisonous. For one, email with outsiders is done with a randomized email address changed regularly.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

At least that seems to be the case with specific departments like sales. Uncertain what it's like for others.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

It doesn't stop with emails. Lunchtime leave is regulated with time cards. Those who exceed allotted time are outed within company.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Employees deemed useless have been known to do assemblyline work, security guard detail, cleanup at fitness clubs.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

These aren't nobodies being told to do this work either. Producers and other prominent creators have had this hoisted on them.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

One famous incident of reassignments happened over a FB post of a guy saying he was heading to another company. Those who liked it were-

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

-quickly found to have their positions shifted around. Even upper management with loyal followings were hit by this.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Nikkei has repeatedly reached out to Kagemasa for statements, but have never heard back from him. He's staying silent.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Kagemasa is apparently a known recluse, both among media and even with his corporate peers. He and other old guards at companies like-

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Nintendo, Sega, etc. used to help each other out of jams and whatnot, but has since become very, very distant from them.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

That's about it for the stuff that would matter to non-business types. Talks a little about how Kagemasa wanted to diversify even at the-

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

turn of the century and is the reason behind some of Konami's acquisitions, but otherwise consider my work summarizing this article done.

Tom James: Hibernating, But DMs Open (See Pinned) @iiotenki

Thanks for following and reading my stuff. Please cite me if you use my summaries in any articles; this took time out of my day to do. c:

Christmas Sophia @AndroidSophia

@iiotenki There's a NeoGAF thread on your translations even. People are citing tho. neogaf.com/forum/showthre…