...And now EA and UBisoft have been Usurped as worst Video Game COmpany.

[NeoCracker]

http://nichegamer.com/2015/08/report-konami-has-kojima-production-employees-on-lockdown-constant-surveillance-and-more/

[DMKA]

Konami is a video game company? I thought they were a slot machine company.

[Ayen]

Saw this trending on Twitter earlier. That's just terrible.

[Colonel Angus]

The next step is for Konomi to replace all their employee's spouses/children w/ surveillance robots.

[Sephex]

I'm actually considering not buying the new MGS now that this information has been brought to light. Anyone who knows me the slightest realizes how big of a deal that is.

What a s***hole company. It's one thing to change your business practices. Fine. You guys don't want to build big video games anymore. You rather do the gambling machine thingy or whatever. Great, go do that. Companies sometimes change over the year. But they way they treated Kojima was atrocious and how they are treating their current employees is borderline dystopian. This is the kind of stuff that would be in a fictional movie about an evil company.

Metaphorically speaking, I hope Konami burns to the ground in the most embarrassing way possible. I hope Kojima pisses on the ashes then makes those responsible drink the piss-ash mix, piss it out themselves, and have them drink it again. The nutjobs at the head of this company deserve the worst.

[Ayen]

I'm actually considering not buying the new MGS now that this information has been brought to light. Anyone who knows me the slightest realizes how big of a deal that is.

What a s***hole company. It's one thing to change your business practices. Fine. You guys don't want to build big video games anymore. You rather do the gambling machine thingy or whatever. Great, go do that. Companies sometimes change over the year. But they way they treated Kojima was atrocious and how they are treating their current employees is borderline dystopian. This is the kind of stuff that would be in a fictional movie about an evil company.

Metaphorically speaking, I hope Konami burns to the ground in the most embarrassing way possible. I hope Kojima pisses on the ashes then makes those responsible drink the piss-ash mix, piss it out themselves, and have them drink it again. The nutjobs at the head of this company deserve the worst.

Yeah, I wasn't interested since I heard about the previous demo disguised as a full game, and the utterly ridiculous costume design of Quiet, but this? This pretty much confirms I'll never buy a game from them again as long as they continue to treat their employees like trout.

[Bolivar]

Konami has invested millions of dollars in this team, entrusting them with its confidential and proprietary information. And every one of them is leaving to follow Kojima after this game ships. It's not out of the ordinary for companies to install cameras, monitor building activity, and restrict computer access in these scenarios. The rest of this just sounds farfetched, though. I don't know much about Japanese business culture or the job market but I have to imagine if they really did assign a software programmer to the cleaning crew, they would just find a new job. I have heard other stories about Konami reassigning teams and downsizing their game development, which, while disappointing, does not ring of employee mistreatment. I admit I have heard some disturbing rumors and don't have all the information so if someone else knows more, I would love to learn about it.

I've been following the situation for a while and the jury's still out on who to blame in the whole Kojima vs Konami fallout. What is clear is that Metal Gear Solid V has become one of the most expensive video games ever developed. The most recent update (http://nerdreactor.com/2015/07/29/metal-gear-composer-kojima-konami-fallout/) suggests that he's really gone off the deep end as a perfectionist, at the expense of longtime contributors to the franchise. While I want him to have the freedom to execute on his vision, I also think the money has a right to say "enough," and this whole controversy more than likely arose at that moment.

That said, I'm still going to print my "A Hideo Kojima Game" cover insert. Regardless of your take on it, the last thing anyone should do is not play The Phantom Pain. Everything suggests that this is going to be Kojima's magnum opus and Ground Zeroes showed he is still head and shoulders above anyone directing games today. At the very least, buy a used retail copy, that way Konami won't get your money and you'll save a few bucks while you're at it.

[fat_moogle]

I've read bits and pieces about Konami, but I never knew things were this bad. Sounds like a hellish place.

[Skyblade]

Konami has invested millions of dollars in this team, entrusting them with its confidential and proprietary information. And every one of them is leaving to follow Kojima after this game ships. It's not out of the ordinary for companies to install cameras, monitor building activity, and restrict computer access in these scenarios. The rest of this just sounds farfetched, though. I don't know much about Japanese business culture or the job market but I have to imagine if they really did assign a software programmer to the cleaning crew, they would just find a new job. I have heard other stories about Konami reassigning teams and downsizing their game development, which, while disappointing, does not ring of employee mistreatment. I admit I have heard some disturbing rumors and don't have all the information so if someone else knows more, I would love to learn about it.

I've been following the situation for a while and the jury's still out on who to blame in the whole Kojima vs Konami fallout. What is clear is that Metal Gear Solid V has become one of the most expensive video games ever developed. The most recent update (http://nerdreactor.com/2015/07/29/metal-gear-composer-kojima-konami-fallout/) suggests that he's really gone off the deep end as a perfectionist, at the expense of longtime contributors to the franchise. While I want him to have the freedom to execute on his vision, I also think the money has a right to say "enough," and this whole controversy more than likely arose at that moment.

That said, I'm still going to print my "A Hideo Kojima Game" cover insert. Regardless of your take on it, the last thing anyone should do is not play The Phantom Pain. Everything suggests that this is going to be Kojima's magnum opus and Ground Zeroes showed he is still head and shoulders above anyone directing games today. At the very least, buy a used retail copy, that way Konami won't get your money and you'll save a few bucks while you're at it.

I'm not so sure. Nikkei is a VERY reputable name. They're not a gaming news outlet, they're a business news outlet. I mean, they recently purchased Financial Times. They are not a small reporting outfit, nor are they the sort who would make a statement like this without some solid evidence to back it up. They do have interviews, and I wouldn't be surprised if they have some cited documentation. Unfortunately, I can't translate Japanese to be sure.

But no one has come forward to question this article, or to claim that it has been mistranslated. It seems accurate so far.

Original Article (http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO89986400R30C15A7000000/)

[Slothy]

I'm actually considering not buying the new MGS now that this information has been brought to light. Anyone who knows me the slightest realizes how big of a deal that is.

I was already considering not buying it because Ground Zeroes just wasn't that exciting if you ask me, but now I definitely won't. Probably borrow it from a friend at some point if anything.

I do look forward to spending my money on whatever Kojima does next partly because he'll finally get to walk away from the series and do something else and partly because fuck Konami.

And given Konami's previous handling of the Silent Hill franchise, their complete inability to properly launch any title that wasn't named Metal Gear Solid in the last several years, the many criticisms leveled at them in the past by journalists like Jim Sterling, and their subsequent childish black listing of Jim Sterling, I have little doubt that this is all true and Konami have finally gone completely off the deep end.


Konami has invested millions of dollars in this team, entrusting them with its confidential and proprietary information. And every one of them is leaving to follow Kojima after this game ships. It's not out of the ordinary for companies to install cameras, monitor building activity, and restrict computer access in these scenarios.

No it's not, but the extent it's being reported in that article goes far beyond the usual company paranoia into outright batshit insanity. Going to the extreme of shuffling around employees who like the status of someone leaving for a new job is just fucked up. Especially considering they're a company that hasn't really made games outside of this team for the last few years as it is, and who I would not be surprised to never see make a game again at this point.

[Wolf Kanno]

Konami has invested millions of dollars in this team, entrusting them with its confidential and proprietary information. And every one of them is leaving to follow Kojima after this game ships. It's not out of the ordinary for companies to install cameras, monitor building activity, and restrict computer access in these scenarios. The rest of this just sounds farfetched, though. I don't know much about Japanese business culture or the job market but I have to imagine if they really did assign a software programmer to the cleaning crew, they would just find a new job. I have heard other stories about Konami reassigning teams and downsizing their game development, which, while disappointing, does not ring of employee mistreatment. I admit I have heard some disturbing rumors and don't have all the information so if someone else knows more, I would love to learn about it.


I know one thing about Japanese business culture and that is company loyalty is a HUGE deal over there. You basically want your kid to get into a good school, so they can get into a good college, and get recruited by a good company so they are set for life. Employees do their work and are promised a steady paycheck benefits and a chance for promotion and all they need to do is work for them until retirement. Getting a job in Japan isn't as much of struggle as getting into a proper and reputable school because Japanese workers tend to stay loyal to their company once they land the job. It's one of the key reasons why journalist have been worried about the gaming industry because so many reputable designers are quitting their companies is a bit alarming because culturally, it's unheard of, unless the person royally screwed up and had to quit (Gunpei, Sakaguchi, Tanaka).

One article I read talked about how the Indie Game development scene in Japan is nothing like the West because a) they tend to be funded by established game companies who use it as a recruiting format, and b) because most up and coming Japanese designers stick to the old formula of just landing a job in an established company because starting a start-up company in Japan's almost oligarchy business world is considered throwing your future away. I feel this is part of the reason why so many former game designers tend to shift more of their focus towards the West because it is an easier market to get your foot in the door on this side of the Pacific than over there. I'm expecting Kojima will either form a company and use Kickstarter for funding like Inafune, go freelance and work for other companies as a freelance designer like Matsuno, or build his own company but ally with one of the big 3 console companies to fund their projects like Mistwalker does.

[Bolivar]

No it's not, but the extent it's being reported in that article goes far beyond the usual company paranoia into outright batshit insanity. Going to the extreme of shuffling around employees who like the status of someone leaving for a new job is just fucked up. Especially considering they're a company that hasn't really made games outside of this team for the last few years as it is, and who I would not be surprised to never see make a game again at this point.

Is it? Employers use social media extensively today, it's not unexpected that they would re-evaluate an employee's role based on showing solidarity online with a former colleague. Ironic, how we showcase our personal lives online yet become indignant when others take advantage of that accessibility.

Honestly, I'm not really sure what to make of it anymore. Wolf won't come out and say it but it seems like he's suggesting a software engineer would have no qualms picking up a mop and going to town on the vinyl floors. I guess I just don't understand Japan.

[Skyblade]

No it's not, but the extent it's being reported in that article goes far beyond the usual company paranoia into outright battrout insanity. Going to the extreme of shuffling around employees who like the status of someone leaving for a new job is just smurfed up. Especially considering they're a company that hasn't really made games outside of this team for the last few years as it is, and who I would not be surprised to never see make a game again at this point.

Is it? Employers use social media extensively today, it's not unexpected that they would re-evaluate an employee's role based on showing solidarity online with a former colleague. Ironic, how we showcase our personal lives online yet become indignant when others take advantage of that accessibility.

If someone ranted about the evils of the company, that might be valid (and I wouldn't Like a post like that anyway). But if a friend tells you they got a new position or are moving on, there's nothing wrong with wishing them well. Which is all a "Like" does.


Honestly, I'm not really sure what to make of it anymore. Wolf won't come out and say it but it seems like he's suggesting a software engineer would have no qualms picking up a mop and going to town on the vinyl floors. I guess I just don't understand Japan.

It's not that they have no qualms, it's that there's not a lot else they can do. Again, company loyalty is the expected norm. If you quit, it calls your own loyalties into question, and future employers will note it. Assuming that you did something wrong and were stepping down due to a grievous error, or might leave their company should they hire you.

[Slothy]

No it's not, but the extent it's being reported in that article goes far beyond the usual company paranoia into outright batshit insanity. Going to the extreme of shuffling around employees who like the status of someone leaving for a new job is just fucked up. Especially considering they're a company that hasn't really made games outside of this team for the last few years as it is, and who I would not be surprised to never see make a game again at this point.

Is it? Employers use social media extensively today, it's not unexpected that they would re-evaluate an employee's role based on showing solidarity online with a former colleague. Ironic, how we showcase our personal lives online yet become indignant when others take advantage of that accessibility.

Like skyblade said, we're talking about friends and coworkers liking a status update about a new job from someone who's mental health suffered due to his treatment by Konami. Liking that someone who wasn't doing well in their present job is moving on to a new one is not tantamount to showing solidarity against the company they work for. An employer who actually thinks that is displaying the sort of paranoia that draws their actual sanity into question.

I'm sure not even you can actually defend that sort of behaviour as being appropriate in these circumstances. We aren't talking about employees going on Facebook and saying all the jews should be lead to gas chambers, or that Konami is secretly murdering kittens every time an employee is late to work.

[Del Murder]

The first half of that list seemed reasonable though restrictive, but when it got to randomized emails that seemed excessive, and then shuffling developers around into janitorial positions for liking someone's facebook post is just plain ludicrous.

[Bolivar]

I'm speaking generally, since the linked article doesn't go into detail. I'm guessing you guys know more about this situation than I do, it only says the employee announced their departure from Konami. Again, there's a lot of nuances I'm not really familiar with here, since Skyblade is saying Japanese software engineers don't have other options if they're told to change their career to janitor.

[Wolf Kanno]

As Skyblade pointed out, they would have qualms about a drastic position shift like that unless it had a good reason. Say the company did poorly last quarter, so in order to cut costs, they couldn't hire the normal custodian company they use and need their employees to take shifts keeping the office cleaned. Under those circumstances, they wouldn't have a problem with it because Japan's business culture is very group centric and a problem is considered a group problem.

What might be going on here is that Konami is trying to shave off some of it's excess game development division without losing face. Japanese companies tend to have an issue of getting rid of employees because as I said, once you're in, you're kind of set for life so why leave such a job? Companies don't like firing employees unless it's absolutely necessary because it reflects bad on them as well as the employee. If a company is too liberal with firing employees, it says they are either not doing well financially and can't afford their staff or the company is not hiring the best they can. Either way, this will drive away strong candidates. Instead, companies tend to shift things within to get their employees to "resign" quietly. I mean Gunpei and Sakaguchi both royally screwed up within their companies but instead of being fired like what would happen in the West, they were instead "kicked upstairs". You're no longer the director of development in Division 4, you've been promoted to Director of Company Resources and Management which is a fancy title that means you're new job is keeping track of all the pencils within the company. At this point you have two options: You can suck it up and be the social outcast within the company but still get a steady paycheck for a tedious job no one cares about, or you resign from the company and take your chances in the tough job market with a handicap. It sucks for the employee but what can you do?

On topic, I'm with Bolivar that I will most likely check out the last MGS game. Killing it's sales by boycotting just gives Konami more reasons to see the franchise disappear along with Kojima as a good thing. If it became the most successful game of all time, then Konami will know they screwed up by letting go of Kojima.

[Mirage]

All I know is Kojima isn't gonna have any problems continuing in the video game business. Whatever he wants to do next will be funded at a faster rate than kickstarter servers can handle the connection requests.

If he chooses to go that route, anyway.

[Lazerface]

I'm actually considering not buying the new MGS now that this information has been brought to light. Anyone who knows me the slightest realizes how big of a deal that is.

What a s***hole company. It's one thing to change your business practices. Fine. You guys don't want to build big video games anymore. You rather do the gambling machine thingy or whatever. Great, go do that. Companies sometimes change over the year. But they way they treated Kojima was atrocious and how they are treating their current employees is borderline dystopian. This is the kind of stuff that would be in a fictional movie about an evil company.

Metaphorically speaking, I hope Konami burns to the ground in the most embarrassing way possible. I hope Kojima pisses on the ashes then makes those responsible drink the piss-ash mix, piss it out themselves, and have them drink it again. The nutjobs at the head of this company deserve the worst.

Yeah, I wasn't interested since I heard about the previous demo disguised as a full game, and the utterly ridiculous costume design of Quiet, but this? This pretty much confirms I'll never buy a game from them again as long as they continue to treat their employees like trout. What's so bad about her costume design? You need maximum maneuverability in warfare and being damn near naked helps lol :lol:

[Mirage]

Makes sense. That's why snake's nearly naked too.

[Psychotic]

As it happens, in Peace Walker the best uniform to set for Snake in some boss battles is indeed Naked because of the added maneuverability.

[Mirage]

Yes, that's the same as being nearly naked all the time

[Lazerface]

Heck I don't see what's so bad about Quiet. I think Snake will be getting distracted.... a lot while on mission. Shoot who wouldn't

[Ayen]

Didn't mean to derail the thread with Quiet's trout, but Mirage pretty much summed it up. I learned my lesson in the Cindy's thread that there's no point arguing with you people when it comes to sexism in video games, so I'm not going to waste my time.

[Lazerface]

Didn't mean to derail the thread with Quiet's trout, but Mirage pretty much summed it up. I learned my lesson in the Cindy's thread that there's no point arguing with you people when it comes to sexism in video games, so I'm not going to waste my time. But what's sexist about it though? I fail to see any form of sexism in the character Quiet.

[Mirage]

And that comes as no surprise :D

[Sephex]

Alright guys, let's not get into this nonsense right now. Feel free to start yet another thread about that sort of thing elsewhere if you want to debate that sort of thing.