Opinion: Being A Konami Fan Isn't Easy These Days

The video game industry is a difficult place to make a living. Even the most popular and seemingly foolproof series can fall on their faces, all too often resulting in layoffs and studio closures. In this make-or-break climate, mid-tier publishers are especially endangered, requiring exponentially larger budgets than indie teams to fund and promote their games, while rarely landing the indomitable hits that goliath publishers like Activision and EA enjoy. As the fine line between financial success and failure continues to erode, I can't help but think that a company like Konami needs all the help it can get. Unfortunately, today's announcement of the cancelation of Silent Hills reads like a classic page from the Konami playbook, which at this point I can only assume is entitled The Art Of Letting Down Your Biggest Fans.

I'm not one of Konami's accountants, so I can't speak to the financial sense of canceling Silent Hills. After seeing its profits slashed in half last year, Konami has been increasing its focus on its gambling and mobile divisions, and that could very well be the company's most profitable path going forward. I can only speak as a core gamer and consumer, and in that sense Konami offers up a dwindling library of relevant franchises.

Sure, Pro Evolution Soccer is and will likely continue to be a solid hit, but beyond that Konami hasn't been doing its shallow bench any favors in recent years. 2010's Lords of Shadow was a highly regarded reboot for Castlevania, but last year's ho-hum sequel killed interest in the series faster than a stake to the heart. Since then, Konami has been sitting on the franchise with nary a word to fans about future plans. That leaves the publisher with only two other series for gamers to get excited about: Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill.

We're still a few months away from the launch of Metal Gear Solid V, and by all accounts fans can't wait to get their hands on the game. However, their enthusiasm comes in spite of a string of alienating decisions Konami has made for its flagship series. First came news that Konami had snubbed Snake's original voice actor David Hayter in favor of Jack Bauer Keifer Sutherland, without even giving Hayter (or fans) the head's up about the recasting. Gamers were then introduced to MGS V's new world and direction by the middling Ground Zeroes prologue, which was harshly criticized for its short duration compared to its cost – a value proposition made worse by Konami's eventually abandoned attempt to charge more for the current-gen versions of the game. Controversy once again arose in recent months when Konami quietly removed the name of series' creator Hideo Kojima from the game's box art. Konami chalked it up to the company's changing production structure, but it still rubbed fans wrong, especially following the news that MGS V would be Kojima's last title in the series. What could have been a positive send-off has instead been surrounded by ill-will and confusion, that last thing Konami needs for the now-leaderless series.

Enter today's Silent Hills announcement. After a string of disappointing entries, Konami wowed fans with P.T., a surprise playable teaser that doubled as a reveal for a new Silent Hill. P.T. was a remarkably smart and forward-thinking move for Konami; it was a new and original way of announcing a game, which complemented the demo's fresh and unnerving take on the stagnating series. It was also remarkably effective: P.T. captivated the attention of the Internet for a day, with countless people streaming their playthroughs and posting reaction videos. The demo was downloaded by over one million players, quickly becoming a hotly anticipated title. The involvement of Kojima, director Guillermo Del Toro, and actor Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) also added to the excitement and made fans forget about the series' recent missteps.  

That excitement for Silent Hills makes today's cancelation all the more confusing. I'll give Konami props for at least confirming the news, but that doesn't change the fact that word of the cancelation originated with Del Toro, and Konami's statement gives no explanation as to why the project was canned. Following Del Toro's comments at the San Francisco Film Festival (where he stated that the cancelation "breaks my greasy heart"), Reedus turned to Twitter to express how disappointed he is with Konami's decision, a sentiment echoed by many fans. Konami says that the series will continue, but it's hard to imagine that the company can top the excitement or name recognition that Silent Hills had going for it – when both your fan base and creative talent are that hyped for a project, why pull the plug on it? Konami isn't saying, but the fact that Kojima was also at the center of the project raises more questions about his current standing with the company. In any case, Konami's attempt to reassure fans about the future of the franchise feels hollow.

Beyond soccer, slot machines, and mobile titles, little is known about Konami's plans for the future. The company has pledged to continue making Metal Gear and Silent Hill games, but their scope and what they'll entail is up in the air. One thing is for sure: If Konami intends to continue making triple-A console games, it can't continue to alienate and disappoint its consumer base. Being a Konami fan is a lot harder than it should be.