PushDustIn from Twitter has found an announcement stating that Konami is merging their production divisions from three to one and shuffling their executives to accommodate this change. As per their website, Konami is closing down Production Division 1, Production Division 2, and Production Division 3. The reason for these three Production Divisions dissolving? "We are dissolving the Production Divisions to respond to the rapid market that surrounds us." Hmm.
Regarding the executive shuffling, Shoiji Dewa is now Senior Executive Office (although I think it's officer because I don't think he's turning into an office) and was formerly the Executive Officer and Division Manager for Production Division 2. Koji Kobayashi is now the Executive Officer, and he was the Corporate Officer and Division Manager of Production Division 3. Tatsuhiko Yamaoto is now the Corporate Officer and General Manager of Production Department 3, and was the General Manager of Production Department 3, Production Division 3. There's a few other executives being shuffled around, and if you want to see the full list you should go here.
As for how much gaming matters at Konami, it's still their bread and butter:
Games are still the main way Konami makes money. This is 2017-2020 (right column) data. pic.twitter.com/JA3ACrt6JE
— PushDustIn (@PushDustIn) January 25, 2021
The Winning Eleven franchise apparently also has sold 110 million copies sold since it began in 1995, compared to the Metal Gear franchise at 56.5 million copies sold over its 34 years of existence. As for mobile games, Winning Eleven on mobile has had 350 million downloads as of November 2020 and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links has 100 million cumulative downloads as of October 2019. Winning Eleven is better known as Pro Evolution Football or PES in the west, and is a big earner for Konami. These divisions covered mobile games, console games, and various Yu-Gi-Oh games, meaning merging them could create a more well rounded approach.
If you want to check out the whole Twitter thread, be sure to go here. For more news on Konami, stay tuned to TechRaptor.