Konami Profit Increases as Video Game and Pachinko Business Improve

Konami has detailed its financial results for the six-month period ending on September 30, 2015, showing improvements in both sales and profit.

The Metal Gear Solid and Pro Evolution Soccer publisher reported $894 million in net sales, which represents a nine percent increase over the same six months in 2014, when revenue $819 million.

Net income during this period also showed improvement over last year. In 2015 net income reached $60 million, an increase of 38 percent over 2014's $43 million.

In its investor relations report, Konami described its performance as a sign of "gradual recovery." It noted that mobile games such as Jikkyou Pawafuru Puroyakyu and World Soccer Collection "enjoy steady sales."

According to Konami Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has shipped 5 million units (including downloads), and PES 2016 was said to have had "favourable reviews."

Overall, Konami's Digital Entertainment business showed around an 18 percent improvement. The Pachislot and Pachinko business, meanwhile, expanded with the release of Gun Sword--based on a popular anime--and Skygirls Zero. Overall, this business saw around a 19 percent increase.

On October 19, it was reported Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima had left Konami. It is believed a departure ceremony was held for Kojima, who had worked at the company for almost three decades. Reports also said Kojima has a non-compete clause that expires in December (which we'd heard previously).

GameSpot first reported earlier this year that Kojima was likely to leave the company following the completion of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which was released on September 1. Conflicts between Konami and Kojima Productions, the studio responsible for Metal Gear Solid, resulted in senior staff having limited access to emails, phone calls, and corporate Internet.

In July, the Japanese voice actor for Metal Gear Solid's Snake stated that Kojima Productions no longer existed as a development studio. This came following the cancellation of Silent Hills, a collaboration between Kojima and film director Guillermo del Toro, and the removal of Kojima's name from The Phantom Pain's box art.

Konami has claimed Kojima is simply on vacation.