Hudson Co-Founder Steps Down

Japanese business journal Fuji Sankei Business is reporting that Hudson cofounder Hiroshi Kudo has stepped down from his position as company president, after taking responsibility for the company’s predicted loss in its current financial year. The developer expects to record a loss of ¥7.3 billion ($69m) for year ending March 31, 2005 – rather than the ¥300 million ($2.8m) net profit estimated earlier in the year. Hudson was formed by Hiroshi and his brother Yuji in 1973, and found early success with NES titles such as Lode Runner, Bomberman, Star Soldier and Adventure Island. However, the company has never found consistent success in the West, and in recent times has attempted to strengthen its ties with larger Japanese publishers such as Konami and Nintendo, collaborating with the latter on the successful Mario Party series. But Hudson's collaboration with Konami was solidified in 2001 when the Metal Gear Solid creator bought out 38% of Hudson, making them the majority shareholder, and Hudson's recent slump and the resulting effect on Konami's own financial results likely contributed to pressure on Kudo to step down.