Konami Digital Entertainment has told Gamasutra that by the end of July the company will be consolidating its offices into one, folding its Redwood City operations south into its El Segundo offices.
Konami says the move is to "maximize the strategic collaboration for the future digital entertainment growth of the company." The official office consolidation, Konami says, will happen by the end of July 2007.
Konami acquired the El Segundo offices in 2006 when it
bought mobile developer Blue Label Interactive, previously known for its mobile game productions for companies such as EA, Sony Pictures Mobile, and Disney Mobile Studios.
A Konami representative has thus far told Gamasutra that "not everyone [at the Redwood City location] will choose to go," and that the move is in large part "to unify the U.S. operations."
Said Konami CEO Kazumi Kitaue in a statement, “We have currently evolved a multi-platform entertainment business, such as Game Soft, Arcade, Mobile, Online, Card, Licensing and Toy & Hobby, as our digital entertainment and we will continue to strive into creating and providing the customers the best experience for their valuable time.”
He continued, “In order to grasp the rapid change of entertainment trends and take timely strategic action, having all functions under one roof is critical. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. will continue creating and innovating in order to provide its customers with dreams and excitement which have never before been experienced.”
[UPDATE: Speaking further to Gamasutra, Konami's vice president of human resources Suzanne Cantey stressed, "There are absolutely no job cuts. We have invited the opportunity for all involved, though realistically we don't expect everyone to make the move."
"Nevertheless," she added, "we have kept all of those positions opened until we can finalize what positions are going to stay filled before we begin the hiring process."
]
