Newspaper Nikkei Reports on Konami’s Employee Treatment
It Doesn't Look Good
The Japanese newspaper Nikkei has reported on Konami's treatment on its employment.
The site is in Japanese, but thanks to the guys at Gematsu, they translated the information. Here's the basics of what Nikkei and Gematsu had to report:
There has been a shift from hardcore games to "cheaper, social titles," most likely mobile free-to-play games. "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain's" budget is well past $80. What was once Kojima Productions, which has been disbanded, is now referred to as "Number 8 Production Department." The computers have no Internet access and internal messages are the only things that can be sent between computers. Lunch breaks require time cards and anyone late would be "named and shamed."
There are cameras scattered throughout the office corridors to "monitor the movements of Konami's employees." There aren't any permanent company emails (except for PR), as they are randomized and changed every few months. Developers who aren't deemed "useful" are then given new duties - security guard, cleaning the fitness clubs, or working pachi-shot machines.
Lastly, there was one employee, a developer, who was put through a different task, which led to severe depression. He took to Facebook revealing he was leaving Konami, where the company monitored his media post and "reshuffled" those who had liked his post.
This report matches similar reports when GameStop reported that Hideo Kojima would be leaving Konami. Nikkei's report also follows a long string of Konami-related events that Player Theory has been keeping track of.
Source: Gematsu Nikkei (in Japanese)
