Konami Blacklisting Ex-Employees across Japanese Game Industry

Megalith

Megalith

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Konami’s reputation took a nosedive after their treatment of Metal Gear creator’s Hideo Kojima got out, but it is starting to look as if they purposely want to be regarded as the most despised gaming company: Konami is now reportedly making sure that ex-employees have a difficult time getting new positions. The company files complaints to gaming companies who take on its former employees, and actually instructs some not to hire them. Ex-employees are not even allowed to put their Konami experience on their public resumes; those who do will be taken to court.

Kojima is not the only former Konami employee -- or "ex-Kon" if you will -- facing obstacles after leaving the company. A staffing agency employee who asked not to be named said he notifies gaming companies if a prospective hire is an ex-Kon. He said that is because Konami files complaints to gaming companies who take on its former employees. One major gaming company went so far as to warn its staff against hiring ex-Kon. There was even a case in which a former Konami employee moved to a construction company before joining another gaming company, hoping to throw people off the scent.
 
While this may seem strange to a Western audience keep in mind this is not unusual given Japanese (and Asian) culture (and corporate culture). Take for instance Samsung's impact on South Korean politics. In many ways it is reminiscent of the old American South where you have antiquated concepts of personal honor and a more paternalistic hierarchy. Given that much of Asia was rural up into 20th century (and outside of Japan, mid-20th century) this isn't unexpected, and further the relative isolation and consistency of culture in many Asian states makes tradition an even more powerful force. I am by no means defending this type of behavior on Konami's part - merely elaborating a bit on the foundation.

As an aside, people often marvel at Japanese culture for its high sense of duty and remarkable levels of public security, but actually that is not uncommon in homogeneous societies (as other Asian countries like China have pushed as well, a la Han conformity) and it does not come without its drawbacks. In an age of globalism and often anti-nationalism such states tend to be politically rigid and that is reflected in their corporate culture.
 
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Maxx said:
While this may seem strange to a Western audience keep in mind this is not unusual given Japanese (and Asian) culture (and corporate culture). Take for instance Samsung's impact on South Korean politics. In many ways it is reminiscent of the old American South where you have antiquated concepts of personal honor and a more paternalistic hierarchy. Given that much of Asia was rural up into 20th century (and outside of Japan, mid-20th century) this isn't unexpected, and further the relative isolation and consistency of culture in many Asian states makes tradition an even more powerful force. I am by no means defending this type of behavior on Konami's part - merely elaborating a bit on the foundation.

As an aside, people often marvel at Japanese culture for its high sense of duty and remarkable levels of public security, but actually that is not uncommon in homogeneous societies (as other Asian countries like China have pushed as well, a la Han conformity) and it does not come without its drawbacks. In an age of globalism and often anti-nationalism such states tend to be politically rigid and that is reflected in their corporate culture.
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Actually, from what the article says, it sounds like Konami is hurting because a lot of top talent left and they are butthurt and being asshats about it any way they can.
 
Konami is quickly becoming the Yakuza of the gaming world. Now they're just trying to end careers next they'll be busting knee caps *and* ending careers.
 
Konami decided to quit making video games. Shitting on the careers of their ex-employees that want to keep making video games is a major dick move.
 
Maxx said:
While this may seem strange to a Western audience keep in mind this is not unusual given Japanese (and Asian) culture (and corporate culture). Take for instance Samsung's impact on South Korean politics. In many ways it is reminiscent of the old American South where you have antiquated concepts of personal honor and a more paternalistic hierarchy.
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You mean Japan the nation that had to recently ban "service overtime", ie doing work without getting paid because the company forces you to complete impossible schedules, sure reminds me of the old american south. Same with Samsung the company that forces their employees to live far away from other places to live on "company land" and go to "company schools" and buy from "company stores" sure reminds me of the old american south.
 
You those rumors of Konami being in bed with The Yakuza are seeming more and more plausible by the day.
 
I sold some guy at Konami US in Cali an original Congo Bongo for Intellivision for $350 a couple years ago and he was kinda a dick. DIEUSONSOFBITCHES!!!
 
Maxx said:
While this may seem strange to a Western audience keep in mind this is not unusual given Japanese (and Asian) culture (and corporate culture). Take for instance Samsung's impact on South Korean politics. In many ways it is reminiscent of the old American South where you have antiquated concepts of personal honor and a more paternalistic hierarchy. Given that much of Asia was rural up into 20th century (and outside of Japan, mid-20th century) this isn't unexpected, and further the relative isolation and consistency of culture in many Asian states makes tradition an even more powerful force. I am by no means defending this type of behavior on Konami's part - merely elaborating a bit on the foundation.

As an aside, people often marvel at Japanese culture for its high sense of duty and remarkable levels of public security, but actually that is not uncommon in homogeneous societies (as other Asian countries like China have pushed as well, a la Han conformity) and it does not come without its drawbacks. In an age of globalism and often anti-nationalism such states tend to be politically rigid and that is reflected in their corporate culture.
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No, it's pretty unusual for this to happen, mainly cuase Japanese people don't really move jobs.You can easily find a 40+ year old Japanese person with maybe 2 job references on their resume and that'd be it.

Konami probably thought they'd be fine implementing some jacked up procedures. You know, since ppl really don't quit and go work somewhere else. Except it got bad enough that people did quit and go somewhere else. Now they're pissed off that the employees didn't stay loyal and are trying to get revenge.

That's all there is to it.
 
Another example of someone that doesn't want to work with Konami:

 
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