Early this morning, several users and media outlets across the internet went into a frenzy as they informed audiences and followers that Konami was supposedly shutting down its gaming division as early as next week. The rumor began due to a company briefing document signifying that its gaming divisions were being dissolved effectively on February 1st.
While the news of an internal restructuring is actually accurate, the ideas going around that the company is just abandoning its gaming branch out of nowhere is not true at all — why would it be after the company had just announced that both the Pro Evolution Soccer and Metal Gear franchises were hitting major milestones for lifetime sales on top of notable results with their mobile division?
Over a week ago, Konami published a report announcing executive appointments, personnel changes, and organization restructurings across the company. What confused a large group of individuals and spiraled into these false rumors was the following line that ended the briefing document under section three.
“We are dissolving the Production Divisions to respond to the rapid market that surrounds us.”
Many took this as an indication that Konami was shutting down its Digital Entertainment division in its entirety. What this line actually means, however, is that Konami’s three gaming divisions that had all been working separately from one another are all being merged into one branch. Many companies including Sega have done this in the last two years due to changes in the entertainment market. No game projects are closing and no game developers are being released from their positions. The developer is simply making changes as to how and where its workers are operating for more effective means.
To further clear up the misinformation circulating the web, Gematsu reached out for an official statement from Konami and the company responded with the following:
There were some reports today citing an over a week-old restructuring announcement from Konami that mentioned dissolving its Production Divisions, which some misinterpreted as it shuttering console game production—which is false. Konami provided Gematsu the following statement: pic.twitter.com/xYdMQQpa8t
— Gematsu (@gematsucom) January 25, 2021
While Konami does not have any upcoming announced console gaming projects on the horizon, several credible rumors indicate that the company might be working with BluePoint Games on a Metal Gear Solid remake. Until Konami announces any new games, we will be sure to keep you updated on announcements and of course real information on the company that makes the rounds.
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Written by Marc Kaliroff
Ever since owning a cobalt blue Game Boy Advance, Nintendo is his preferred way of gaming. Marc is a journalist, creative writer, and video producer. While his focus may be on providing news, he spends his days preparing reviews for games of the present and past.
