14 DAY TRIAL // A brand new report arrives from Japan concerning Konami and its recent change in corporate culture. Apparently, due to the fact that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain costs are above $80 million (€73 million), the company has started mistreating its employees while using different shady tactics.
Konami hasn't gone through the best of times recently, particularly due to the ongoing controversy surrounding its most anticipated game of the year, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
A huge uproar appeared after Konami started removing any and all mentions of the franchise's creator, Hideo Kojima, and his studio, Kojima Productions, from the Metal Gear Solid V assets. Afterwards, in the midst of speculation and rumors that Kojima was going to be fired or quit after the game appears, the Japanese company issued a statement saying that things were progressing well.
Konami and its employees aren't doing so well
Now, a brand new report from Japan's Nikkei, via NeoGAF, claims that things are not well at the large corporation.
Apparently, the whole company is in financial straits due to Metal Gear Solid V's development, which cost over $80 million / €73 million as of April of this year. Apparently, after the company's mobile projects started producing more money, the leadership began to focus on these more profitable titles, while seeking to curb costs with MGS V.
Employees are supervised by cameras and security, and things are so severe that many have been fired for voicing their opposition against their new tasks. Others, including designers, have been reassigned to clean the headquarters, produce things on the assembly line, or just act as security guards.
Konami hasn't commented on the report but it seems that things are going to take a major turn once Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain launches on September 1, for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360, and on September 15 for PC.