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GameSpot Video Games, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Konami grows full-year finances

Metal Gear Solid 4 publisher sees 6 percent revenue growth to $2.8 billion on strong games business; profits jump 13 percent to $175 million.
By Tom Magrino, GameSpot
Posted May 15, 2008 11:39 am PT

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots' release date was nailed down in February, and since then, more than a few PlayStation 3 gamers have been counting down the seconds until that June 12 launch. Likewise, Konami and Kojima Productions have had reasons of their own to pace out the days. Whereas gamers are looking forward to hopping into the well-worn boots of Solid Snake and Hideo Kojima's MGS swan song, Konami's undoubtedly got its eye on the potential revenue spikes that the just-golden game will usher in.

However, even without the heavily anticipated PlayStation 3 game, Konami did quite well for itself during its fiscal 2008 year, which ended March 31. Reporting on its full-year financial performance today, the Tokyo-based publisher said that revenues grew by 6.1 percent, a pace that nearly matched the previous year, to ¥297 billion ($2.8 billion).

Although sales growth remained consistent, the publisher saw a dramatic turnaround in profit. Whereas net income took a dive during fiscal 2007, dropping some 29 percent on the year, 2008 profits experienced a double-digit uptick of 13 percent, rising to ¥18.3 billion ($175 million) on the year.

Digital entertainment--Konami's gaming business--far and away led the publisher's efforts for its fiscal year, amounting to ¥179 billion ($1.7 billion) of the company's revenue. Games cited by Konami as performing especially well for the year were sports franchises Proyakyu Spirits 4, Jikkyou Pawafuru Puroyakyu 14, J. League Winning Eleven 2007 Club Championship, and World Soccer Winning Eleven 2008. Addressing the North American market specifically, Konami said that Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party, released for the Wii in September, has remained "popular as ever."

The gaming industry on the whole has exhibited a strong forward momentum, and Konami expects to continue riding that wave into its next fiscal year. For the year ending March 31, 2009, the Japanese publisher expects to grow revenue to ¥330 billion ($3.1 billion), with net income projected to hit ¥26 billion ($248 million).

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57 Comments

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akiwak

Ok get us castlevania for the PS3 now please!!!

Posted May 21, 2008 5:06 pm PT
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erectism

i think you should all grow the hell up
not just shadowcode or whatever your name is
mgs 4 is gona be a great game
end of
and ps3 owners will enjoy playing it
and 360 owners will have to enjoy watching the cut scenes on youtube,
in the lowest possible quality,
looong after its release

Posted May 21, 2008 11:32 am PT
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Viper_1989

has anyone else noticed that despite selling the most games ever, all the hype that's been around it and the fact that it's been out for only two weeks

GTAIV is not number 1 on gamespot. its our good new friend MGS4!!!

Posted May 16, 2008 3:28 pm PT
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lamprey263

I hope Konami decides to release a Silent Hill collection like they did for Metal Gear Solid. That should also help increase their profits, not to mention please a lot of gamers. A Silent Hill collection would be a phat package, hopefully if it did come out it should include SH1-4, and the recent PS2 version of Silent Hill: Origins... I think that'd be a really good idea since a 5 game package like this could easily go for $50. It wouldn't really hurt Konami to produce something like this since they've already made the games and all they have to do is re-publish the series... though, Konami has really under-published this series in North America (I don't know why!). If they do decide to make this, hopefully it's better than the SH2-4 collection that came out in Japan, being as it left out SH1, and Origins wasn't even an option then.

I'd also like to see them do this because it might inspire other publishers to do the same. I'd like to see Tecmo release a Fatal Frame trilogy, another under-published series. Atlus could release a Shin Megami Tensei collection (again, under-published). Square Enix could create a Final Fantasy collection before FFXIII... you get the idea.

Posted May 16, 2008 12:51 pm PT
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Viper_1989

Shadoweavercode: "it's sad to see such a good game on a crappy console"

I HATE XBOX 360 FANS WHO SAY THIS. The processing power of the ps3, and the size of the discs are far superior to that of the 360! How can you idiots not see that. It's ok saying, "at the moment, we can far more out of the 360", but when every game is getting to MGS4 quality, the 360 won't be up to the task and PS3 will storm it. And if Microsoft decied to bring out a more superior console, it just shows that they were losing from the start.

You do have a point (even if your research is incorrect) about other consoles. Consider also that MGS1 was remade for GameCube as Twin Snakes, in fact the original PS1 version of MGS was ported to the PC (i should know, i have it). Plus MGS2:Substance was ported for PC and XBOX, so MGS hasn't always been a PlayStation exclusive, but MGS4 will be.

Oh and your claim that Kojima siad it could be ported, you might want to check your sources again, as both articles were written (drum roll please):

DECEMBER 2005

Two and a half years of development later, and Kojima announces it's too big for a blu-ray disc. I think alot of development probably happened in that time for him to work out that actually it wasn't possible.

Bottom line: either do, or check your research before you open your mouth.

Posted May 16, 2008 6:46 am PT
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kerol_naim

For a game that heavily advertise in-game item like Ipod & other Sony product(Handphone, PSP & PS3..Sunny does pack & unpack her PSP & PS3 in this game), i dont think MS will really like to see it on their console..especially if it come from Apple & Sony

Posted May 16, 2008 4:35 am PT
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rockutd

Hmmmm.I do think that MGS 4 might come out on the 360, maybe not in the near future.But anyway the content doesn't fit on the DVD format that the 360 currrently uses.I guess u might have to wait for the new blu-ray version of the 360 to come out 1st.But then again to the 19million or so pple who own the DVD version of the 360, u guys have to upgrade in order to play.And thats sad.U might as well get a PS3.

Posted May 15, 2008 10:12 pm PT
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ocdog45

more money will flow after MGS4 comes out.

Posted May 15, 2008 9:05 pm PT
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Foxhound_spy

My fellow PS3 owners.....

Just ignore ShadoweaverCode.......

It`s just a natural words from a bitter 360 fanboy who desperate for MGS4 360 port but find themself disappoint when MGS4 launch is near with not a single hint about 360 port and then all they can do now is bash PS3 and MGS4 merciless.......Let`s not forget they also bash Konami / Kojima too for not port this game to 360.....

I feel pity for those 360 fanboy....They pick a wrong console to play MGS4.....

Posted May 15, 2008 6:51 pm PT
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akiwak

Tanaka also stressed that MGS4 certainly won't be the last of Konami's big projects on the PS3. "We believe that the PlayStation 3 still has some undiscovered capabilities, and there's still many points where we can be more clever to take its full advantage," WOW enough said....

Posted May 15, 2008 4:58 pm PT
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akiwak

ShadoweaverCode is just an idiot that is why he hates the PS3. The articles that he mentioned are 3 years old before Kojima-san realized what he wanted out of MGS4. Ask him now and he will tell you MGS4 will remain a PS3 exclusive cause it would take 6 disks to port it over to the 360. MGS4 will be one of the few games that truly taps the PS3 potential. Konami even said that they hadn't realized the true power of the PS3 yet.

Posted May 15, 2008 4:54 pm PT
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spartan_104

Hey Shadow Code whatever your name is...Metal Gear did not start on the NES. It was originally on the MSX in Japan. It was then translated (poorly) for the English speaking and reading communities here in the states. That was the NES. Do your research.

Posted May 15, 2008 4:40 pm PT
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xero_33

wow that's like the most disagree count i've ever seen on one comment.. hehehe.. take that **** hahaha... what a retard wanting the mgs on the 360 like a baby.. .buhuhuu.... dream on sucker... our ps3 can get all your games but you can't get your games coz ur console's too weak to handle it... what? what? ur gonna cry now... dont... u still have gays of war 2, hello 3, and ninja gayden... hahahaha... xbox: monkeys....... playstation: god

Posted May 15, 2008 4:35 pm PT
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Daveiops

ShadoweaverCode

Why dont u like the PS3?

Posted May 15, 2008 4:06 pm PT
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noupa

PS3 kicks the crap out of 360 hands down.

Posted May 15, 2008 3:59 pm PT
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ShadoweaverCode Posted May 15, 2008 3:28 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)
ShadoweaverCode Posted May 15, 2008 3:06 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)
Daveiops

OK ShadoweaverCode

But its finanlised now...If u wnt to play d game, get a ps3, its cheaper now. But wat u sldnt do is hate it 4 not coming 2 d 360. its jst as ppl who wnted 2 play gears of war will have 2 get a 360.

Posted May 15, 2008 2:47 pm PT
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ADJ209

I disagree, Xbox 'fanboys' being the majority on this site especially are the most rabid of 'fanboys'.

Posted May 15, 2008 2:38 pm PT
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ShadoweaverCode

Daveiops - Even Kojima himself said it was possible

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/676/676685p1.html
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=62199

Posted May 15, 2008 2:37 pm PT
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holysocks

And Konami's gonna join the fray of GH and RB with "Rock Revolution"!

Posted May 15, 2008 2:35 pm PT
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condemned100

If People or Xbox 360 Fans want to play MGS4 then they have to buy a PS3. Simple as that. There's no need to Argue that MGS4 is not coming to Xbox 360 because it's not. Just buy a PS3 if you want to Play MGS4.

Posted May 15, 2008 2:28 pm PT
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Daveiops

@ ShadoweaverCode

Men u still aint gettin dis right. HD-DVD is jst say wat 8gb and Blu is say 50gb and it still wnt fit it properly..
So tell me why e wud spend his precious time making it onda 360..not a hater but its technically nt doable..well unless u wnt no cutscenes and extras etc..

And as far as am concerned, da early days of da ps3 where games where made 4 it n 360 with reviews saying it looked beta on 360, has ENDED..u see da reverse effect now.

Sorry men, 360 is a decent console but 4 dis game it stays outa da show. If u dnt care den go play ur Halo3 or other 360 exclusives. I heard Halo3 is good .

Posted May 15, 2008 2:27 pm PT
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ShadoweaverCode Posted May 15, 2008 2:21 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)
Daveiops

All these haters and what not, y'll gota chill...All da MGS games ever made have being hits..they sell good and play way 2 good aswell..there story is awsome n u dnt get dat many games with superb storylines do u?

Wait till it comes out, am seeing alot in da videos recently posted but Koji still says "we're showing 1/15 of the game"..

God speed 2 the 12th of June. Semester over n its jst me n dis game in my room. Bring it On.

Posted May 15, 2008 2:20 pm PT
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football_legend

It will see a huge spike when MGS 4 gets released.

Posted May 15, 2008 2:16 pm PT
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ps3thabest

@condemned100 good point

Posted May 15, 2008 2:09 pm PT
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condemned100

Any PS3 Owner or Sony fan would be behind Sony and Playstation. No matter what and No matter how long they take with Exclusive games because in the end Sony delivers Great Exclusives and Game developers make PS3 games look good with more tweaks and more time to Figure the Cell Processor Out and using the Cell Processor to it's full Advantage. PS3 is truly Powerful. Sony Proved themselves with PS2 with all the Great Exclusives it has and is still Selling PS2's like Hotcakes to this day and now here they are again with PS3 Proving they're point and Themselves once again.

Posted May 15, 2008 2:05 pm PT
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ps3thabest

condemned100 thats true u can always count on sony there exclusives are amazing they did everything they said they would do and i will stay behind playstation and no other wack consoles

Posted May 15, 2008 1:58 pm PT
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Hey_hi_hello

Cant wait for mgs4, its gonna be great. On a side not, god I hate ps3 fanboys, they are defintley the most rabid of all fanboys.

Posted May 15, 2008 1:54 pm PT
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chronic_360

shadow weaver:Sad Kojima, oh well, your great masterpiece will be forever remembered as "that game we heard was good but never played", unless of course they choose to dominate the gaming market by releasing the 360 version.

seems like a 360 fanboy who cant handle a great game coming to the ps3 so thre has t be a 360 version

i think this game will dominate without the 360

Posted May 15, 2008 1:47 pm PT
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Nineball2112

Well, I just helped their finances a tiny bit. I pre-ordered MGS4 yesterday... I'm looking forward to playing it.

Posted May 15, 2008 1:44 pm PT
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condemned100

We can always count on Sony. Sony might make us wait for Awesome Exclusive games like MGS4 but in the end Our Patience is Rewarded with a Powerful game showcasing the True Power of PS3. Sony was right they were always right It was Inevitable Xbox 360 Fans. Sony said from the start since they Launched they're PS3 that it would be more Powerful with the Cell Processor. And all these things See Sony did not Lie after all Developers just needed more time to Tweak the Cell Processor on the PS3 and the Results are a Gorgeous game called MGS4 and more Exclusives to come showing PS3's Full Power. Sony wasn't Bluffing. Let me quote Kaz Hirai it might sound cocky but true "The Next generation doesn't start until we say it does". Very true.

Posted May 15, 2008 1:39 pm PT
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ctg867

They had a good lineup last year, and they also have a pretty solid lineup this year. I expect continued growth. Take a look:

Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore (360/PS3/PS2/Wii) - Feb 2008
Silent Hill Origins (PS2) - Mar 2008
Pro Evo Soccer 2008 (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/PSP/DS) - Mar 2008
Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3) - Jun 2008
Hellboy: Science of Evil (PS3/360/PSP) - Jun 2008
MLB Power Pros 2008 (PS2/Wii/DS) - Jul 2008
Silent Hill: Homecoming (360/PS3) - Sep 2008
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) - 2008

Posted May 15, 2008 1:32 pm PT
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condemned100

MGS4 is too good and Powerful that it can only run on the PS3 and that It can't Run on the Xbox 360. And that only means one thing that PS3 is more Powerful then the Xbox 360. Face it Xbox 360 Fans. As a 360 and PS2 Owner I'm facing the Facts that PS3 is more Powerful then Xbox 360 why can't every other Xbox 360 Owner or Fan face It too?

Posted May 15, 2008 1:28 pm PT
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ps3thabest

to ShadoweaverCode u are a dummy mgs4 will not be on gay box 360 it cant fit on a blueray disc imagine what it would look like on your crappy console its been with playstation from day 1 so what if gta sales more its not exclusive and i played haze {the demo} it was really good

Posted May 15, 2008 1:24 pm PT
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condemned100

Everybody is ganging up on ShadoweaverCode. We have reasons to someone has to shut him up about that Ridiculous Idea of Metal Gear Solid 4 actually Porting to the Feeble Xbox 360. It will take 5 Discs to even be on the Xbox 360. While Metal Gear Solid 4 is going to be made on a Blu-Ray disc And ONLY FOR PS3. Something Microsoft can only dream of.

Posted May 15, 2008 1:16 pm PT
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AgentA-Mi6

to Viper_1989: The Game stays Ps3 only, Just Ignore the Xbox360 fans.

Posted May 15, 2008 1:00 pm PT
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Viper_1989

I think what ShadoweaverCode [what a stupid name might I add] is forgetting that it isn't just a case of simply porting it to XBOX 360. If you may recall recently, it was announced that the UK and US versions of MGS4 won't be getting Japanese voice overs, and vice versa. Why? MGS4 is TOO BIG for a Blu-Ray disc. And what's that, 50GB on a dual layer disc?

SO YEAH, YOU CAN HAVE MGS4, AT REDUCED QUALITY, REDUCED GAMEPLAY, REDUCED EXTRAS. OR MORE LIKELY NOT AT ALL. If the entire MGS4 experience cannot fit on a 50GB Blu-Ray, then how the hell are 360 players going to play it on a poxy 8.5GB dual layer DVD?

XBOX 360 is not getting MGS4, because they don't want to, and also because IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! Take that Microsoft!

Posted May 15, 2008 12:51 pm PT
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Haku_Ryushi

@Shadoweavercode

Comeback and apologize when MGS4 sells alot of copies and will be remembered as one of the best games ever created in history and GOTY and believe me, it WILL happen.

Posted May 15, 2008 12:46 pm PT
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nate1222

I'd like to see a MGS game on Wii. I know Guns of the Patriots won't, but maybe a new version of Snake Eater. That'd rock.

Posted May 15, 2008 12:28 pm PT
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spartan_104

ShadoweaverCode, the difference between crappy in-game ads and what MGS IV is doing is the major cultural tie-ins. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter seemed to have the most ridiculous product placement ever...Axe Effect Deoderant Sprays. The products being placed in MGS IV are more relevant to everyone's day to day lives. They're little items and tidbits we get to laugh about and just enjoy.

Or perhaps you're just here to bug everyone as only you can with your mindless and incessant rants.

For the rest of us...WooT!!! And a WooT!! for Konami. This game will be amazing.

Posted May 15, 2008 12:26 pm PT
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chaos_302

to ShadoweaverCode

dude why are you even tracking or commenting on this game if you dont have or plan to get a ps3, thats down right dumb. And the rumor was killed a lot of times but ill repeat it just for you....... MGS4 is going 2 be on ps3, NOT xbox.

Posted May 15, 2008 12:21 pm PT
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ShadoweaverCode Posted May 15, 2008 12:20 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)
akiwak

I am supporting KONAMI!!!! Thank you for giving us Metal Gear!!!!!

Posted May 15, 2008 12:20 pm PT
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ShadoweaverCode Posted May 15, 2008 12:15 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)
randomfulness

ye!! Go Konami!!!!

Posted May 15, 2008 12:08 pm PT
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adam_53

get over yourself shadoweaver. ur not getting mgs4, that rumor has been killed many times, and a lot of the gaming population wont notice metal gear 4....WOW. "that game we heard was good but never played" thats one of the dumbest things ive ever heard in my life. go cry inna corner some more and play gears of war n pray ur gaming expiereience will even come close to the one ps3 owners will get with mgs4

Posted May 15, 2008 12:08 pm PT
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