Ben-DutkaRecently, evidence has come to light that indicates long-time game publisher Konami is bowing out of the AAA production business .
But given the massive amount of money they spent on the critically acclaimed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain , maybe we shouldn't blame them.
The game has already moved over 3 million units but according to this Forbes report , it'll actually have to sell double that amount if Konami just wants to break even. That's because MGSV required a whopping $80 million just to make; that number doesn't include marketing or distribution costs, either.
In contrast, developer CD Projekt Red announced earlier this month that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt cost a total of $81 million (including promotion and distribution). That game sold 6 million copies in just 6 weeks , so they must have turned a healthy profit by now.
But does this mean that Konami simply mismanaged the production of MGSV? Or are we reaching a point in the industry where only the world's largest publishers can take on true AAA projects?
Konami likely also took a big blow with Castlevania LoS 2.
EDIT: btw, this was the exact issue Nintendo cited around the time they unveiled the Wii. The rate in which games were increasing in costs would be hazardous for many devs and publishers. Thankfully the indie-explosion helped keep some balance in place. Though, It's clear to see how a platform like Vita had no hope for AAA games of PS3's games caliber to begin with.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/21/2015 9:57:07 PM
Perhaps. From other sources I've read it just sounds like the new, younger heads of Konami just don't care for console gaming. Their focus is on a lot machines and gambling.
Maybe Kojima didn't think it was worth arguing with them given he was looked at as an "outsider" and was still pulling a mediocre salary after all these years.
Last edited by Jawknee on 9/21/2015 10:07:25 PM
Actually, if any of this is true. This all would make sense.
http://nichegamer.com/2015/07/metal-gear-solid-composer-says-hideo-kojima-split-from-konami-over-budget-issues/
Could you have produced the game for 70 million? If my budget is 80 million, I might just spend 80 million.
What about Ground Zeroes profit?
I feel like they should've spent 90 million if this is the last Metal Gear Solid game we ever get.
Maybe they would be making more money if they hasn't spent all that on paid for positive review scores.
The only review i feel that isnt brought
http://killscreendaily.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-v-phantom-pain-unending-battle/
Which means they "bought" mine, too. Yup, counting the cash over here.
I'm sorry but anybody who believes publishers pay anyone for any reviews ever is just a complete moron.
LOL, dude….just stop.
Konami has been trending away from console games for awhile. They make way more on pachinko and pachislot machines and mobile stuff in Japan. If anything I'd guess this new focus, being completely at odds with something like MGS, is what caused the friction that ultimately led to Kojima's departure. They probably wanted him to start designing MGS pachinko machines, and I don't see Kojima being happy doing that.
This could all be a bunch of BS too. Haha
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/konami-will-make-more-metal-gear-silent-hill-castlevania-games-console-1520731
Which means they "bought" mine, too. Yup, counting the cash over here.
I'm sorry but anybody who believes publishers pay anyone for any reviews ever is just a complete moron.
Konami likely also took a big blow with Castlevania LoS 2.
EDIT: btw, this was the exact issue Nintendo cited around the time they unveiled the Wii. The rate in which games were increasing in costs would be hazardous for many devs and publishers. Thankfully the indie-explosion helped keep some balance in place. Though, It's clear to see how a platform like Vita had no hope for AAA games of PS3's games caliber to begin with.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/21/2015 9:57:07 PM
Maybe they would be making more money if they hasn't spent all that on paid for positive review scores.
The only review i feel that isnt brought
http://killscreendaily.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-v-phantom-pain-unending-battle/
Could you have produced the game for 70 million? If my budget is 80 million, I might just spend 80 million.
What about Ground Zeroes profit?
I feel like they should've spent 90 million if this is the last Metal Gear Solid game we ever get.
LOL, dude….just stop.
This could all be a bunch of BS too. Haha
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/konami-will-make-more-metal-gear-silent-hill-castlevania-games-console-1520731
Perhaps. From other sources I've read it just sounds like the new, younger heads of Konami just don't care for console gaming. Their focus is on a lot machines and gambling.
Maybe Kojima didn't think it was worth arguing with them given he was looked at as an "outsider" and was still pulling a mediocre salary after all these years.
Last edited by Jawknee on 9/21/2015 10:07:25 PM
Actually, if any of this is true. This all would make sense.
http://nichegamer.com/2015/07/metal-gear-solid-composer-says-hideo-kojima-split-from-konami-over-budget-issues/
Konami has been trending away from console games for awhile. They make way more on pachinko and pachislot machines and mobile stuff in Japan. If anything I'd guess this new focus, being completely at odds with something like MGS, is what caused the friction that ultimately led to Kojima's departure. They probably wanted him to start designing MGS pachinko machines, and I don't see Kojima being happy doing that.