INTERVIEW: KUNIO NEO AND MARTIN SCHNEIDER, KONAMI European Pros
Konami’s European bosses believe they’re well positioned for a solid Q4, with a return to form for Pro Evolution Soccer and a brand new Silent Hill. Christopher Dring caught up with Euro president Kunio Neo and general manager Martin Schneider to discuss the firm’s release slate and its plans to grow across Europe
KONAMI has gone some time without a Metal Gearmoment. Since the last game in its iconic stealth franchise – June 2008’s chart-topper Metal Gear Solid 4– sales successes have been few and far between.
The biggest disappointment has been the Pro Evoseries. Once the jewel in Konami's release schedule, the soccer series has suffered in the face of a resurgent FIFA. “Last year we struggled besides
FIFA,” says Konami’s European president Kunio Neo. “This year the quality is very good. We showed the game to several people, and the feedback has been very positive.” It’s not the first time we’ve heard talk of a Pro Evofightback. The series has been on the wane ever since EA decided to stop being rubbish with FIFA, and each new PEShas promised to be ‘the one that gets it right.’ But there’s a genuine sense that
this Pro Evocould close the gap. The challenge will be for Konami to convince fans to come back. “This year we’ve concentrated on expanding awareness via social networks,” adds Neo. “This is going to be more important in the future.”
NOT-SO SILENT HILL It’s not just Metal Gearthat’s been AWOL for a few years. There’s not been a new Silent Hill since 2009 when the firm released two games, Homecomingand Shattered Memories– the latter being a remake of the original PSone classic. Now the series’ next chapter is
almost upon us –Silent Hill: Downpour– which is preceded by a HD collection featuring Silent Hill 2 and3.
There’s more to come next year. A second Hollywood movie is planned for release, as well as a PlayStation Vita game –Silent Hill: Book of Memories. And Konami is cautiously optimistic about Sony’s new handheld.
24 September 9th 2011
territories including the UK. The publisher’s Euro HQ is based in Germany, and Neo says this is one reason why it has bucked the trend. “Despite the economic conditions in many other countries, Germany is doing alright. So we are not as affected as an American publisher that has is headquartered in the UK. They are suffering because they focus their sales on the UK market.”
MISSING THE DANCING BOOM Probably the most popular genre across Europe is dancing. So it makes you wonder why
Martin Schneider (above) and Kunio Neo (right) say Konami is maintaining its position in Europe
“It has its challenges,” admits “
Konami’s European general manager for sales, marketing and products Martin Schneider. “But I watched Sony’s Gamescom conference and I think they made a quite promising and convincing presentation. With publishers like us supporting the platform, it certainly has its chances.”
With publishers like us supporting PlayStation Vita, it certainly has a chance to succeed. Martin Schneider, Konami
GOING WEST Silent Hillrepresents Konami’s strategy of giving its brands to US and European studios to increase their appeal to Western gamers. Downpourhas been built by Czech studio Vatra, while Book of Memories is in the works at Californian outfit WayForward. Last year’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadowwas developed in spain and more partnerships with Western studios are in the works. Neo adds: “More and more we will use outside developers to grow in Europe and create content suited for the European market.” Konami’s success in Europe comes despite a downturn in key
Konami hasn’t capitalised on this trend, after all it did invent the genre with Dance Dance Revolution. “We had no idea to develop a dance game without the mat,” admits Neo. Schneider adds: “Our dancing games didn’t take off in all European countries at the same time. They were very successful for a certain period in the UK, then they became successful in Germany and then France. So the developers started to lose interest, and thought the time of dancing games might be over. In hindsight you are always smarter.” Konami has strength in its IP. But the publisher is also cautiously trying new things. There’s the creative XBLA kinect game Leedmees, and the firm has also partnered with UTV Ignition on quirkly adventure game El Shaddai. “I found it would be a perfect addition to our line-up as long as the expectations of UTV Ignition would not be unrealistic,” says Schneider. “Since there expectations and our forecasts matched, it made sense to us. And it has been received really well.” There’s promising times ahead for
Konami. A combination of quirky IPs, new Silent Hillgames and a much improved PESmake for a strong line-up. While the company says it is maintaining its position in Europe. Who needs Metal Gear Solid?
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