14 DAY TRIAL // Konami has released its financial results for the first quarter of this fiscal year and reports that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the last game to star Solid Snake, has sold more than 3 million units worldwide, making it one of the bestsellers of 2008.
Overall, the videogame publisher posted an increase in sales of over 100% in the same period of last year, with 656 million dollars reported as revenue. The increase in the profit margin was even greater, at 165%, and the profit value has exceeded 100 million dollars. Of course, most of the money is the result of the success of Metal Gear Solid 4, which is still selling well, especially in North America and in Europe, according to Konami. The game is receiving critical acclaim and has recently been awarded the Excellence Prize at the 11th Japan Media Arts Festival, a competition which is organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Japanese government.
Alongside MGS4, Konami also reveals that franchises like Dance Dance Revolution with Hottest Party, Karaoke Revolution and American Idol: Encore "continue to sell well" on the videogame market in North America. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is said to be "highly popular" in Europe.
The company apologized again for the issues that have lately plagued its online shooter Metal Gear Online, but also outlined the possibilities that the game offers as the first foray Konami has made into the lucrative multiplayer online shooter market. Moreover, it plans to launch a MMO called Chaotic Eden in South Korea and to publish Rock Revolution, which is positioned as a rival to Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour.
The press release from the company stated that "We also intend to introduce new titles and new Konami original content for game consoles that have network functions as part of their standard equipment to encourage download marketing".