All is apparently not well at Konami… but you already knew that.
What you may not know, however, is just how bad the situation actually is. According to Japanese newspaper Nikkei (as translated by Thomas James), employee morale at the company is incredibly low. And let's not forget about all the crazy drama over Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain with Hideo Kojima.
Apparently over $80 million was spent on the development of MGS5 as of April, and the internal culture over at the publisher "sounds poisonous." As an example, the report claims "email with outsiders is done with a randomized email address changed regularly." Also, "lunchtime leave is regulated with time cards" and "those who exceed allotted time are outed within company."
Worse yet, "employees deemed useless have been known to do assembly line work, security guard detail, cleanup at fitness clubs." And these aren't just low-level employees, as "producers and other prominent creators have had this hoisted on them." Doesn't sound like a particularly fun place to work, huh?
The situation over at Konami hasn't been looking all that great for quite some time now. Kojima is expected to part ways once MGS5 is out the door, and the company's apparently shifting its focus to mobile games from here on out. Is this the beginning of the end for the once great and beloved Japanese game publisher?
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