We Still Believe in Consoles, Says Konami

Konami has addressed recent reports of its intention to distance itself from the console gaming market in favour of mobile, as well as rumours surrounding the departure of Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima.

Speaking to Japanese business publication Nikkei, company president Hideki Hayakawa said that recent reports regarding Konami's pivot towards mobile "lacked the necessary context."

Hayakawa went on to reaffirm Konami's support for consoles, alongside mobile platforms.

"Konami will continue to embrace the challenge of creating entertainment content via different platforms," he said. "Not only mobile platforms, but for home consoles, arcade units, and cards, to meet the changing needs of the times."

Discussing the organisational changes, Hayakawa said the company has adopted a "centralised production division system," which was implemented to make it easier to react to changes in the market.

"The aim of this reform has been to guarantee that, in the quickly changing digital entertainment industry where new game designs and platforms constantly alter the market environment, we can accurately observe new customer demands and market trends, and apply our long-established technology and knowhow quickly and effectively with a range of targeted responses."

On the subject of Kojima, Hayakawa simply said the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain director and his team members "are hard at work in the new production division system." The famed game developer's expected departure from the company has yet to be addressed.

In March GameSpot revealed that a fallout between Kojima Productions and Konami's executives has led to senior staff at the studio being given restricted access to corporate internet, emails, and phone calls.

In the days following the report, Hideo Kojima's name was removed from Twitter, the official Metal Gear website, and even the LA office listing. The Phantom Pain marketing material, as well as older Metal Gear Solid titles, were also scrubbed of Kojima's name.

In his latest statements, Hayakawa did not address whether Kojima would remain at Konami following the release of The Phantom Pain.

In April, Konami confirmed the Silent Hills project, which was revealed in the form of the Hideo Kojima and Guillermo Del Toro directed downloadable game P.T., had been cancelled.

Hayakwa once again reiterated Konami's previous stance that both Silent Hill and Metal Gear are important to the company.

"[The] Metal Gear and Silent Hill series, both beloved by countless fans around the globe, are also extremely important to Konami," he said. "We have nurtured them with care over many years since their inception, and will continue to produce products for both franchises."

He continued: "But we are not currently at a stage where we can announce the path these future titles will take ... Your support for our current endeavors, and your spurring us on to greater heights, are as always deeply appreciated."

In March, Konami revealed it is in the planning stages of developing a new Metal Gear game and is conducting "auditions for main staff to lead the development."

"Konami will continue to develop and distribute top-quality content in the Metal Gear series following Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain," it said at the time. "We greatly anticipate and deeply appreciate your ongoing support for Metal Gear."

Metal Gear Solid 5, which is expected to be Kojima's last game in the famed series, ships in September on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.

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