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Japanese publisher Konami is establishing a new Tokyo base for its esports activities which is expected to include not just offices, but also classes, shops, and an esports arena, too.
As reported by Siliconera (thanks, GI.biz), construction of the Konami Creative Center (KCC Ginza) is hoped to complete by the end of the year in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The brand new premises in Ginza will sit across 12-floors, including an underground one, and boast state-of-the-art sound, video, lighting, and communications systems.
During the brick-laying ceremony, Konami president Kimihiko Higashio said: "The people who participate in eSports will in the future, stand side by side with those participating in real-life sports like soccer, or even surpass them. Compared to esports pioneers America and Europe, Japan has still a long way to go. However, looking from another angle, it means Japan has lots of room for growth.
"I want to show the world, from here in Ginza, that the appeal of esports will not lose to that of real-life sports."
Both revenue and profits are up for Konami, with an 18 per cent lift year-on-year in its "Digital Entertainment" revenues, which now stands at ¥105.8 billion ($971.3 million) across the nine-month period. According to its most recent financial statement, Konami attributes the boost to its mobile and console sports games and esports, confirming an operating profit of ¥39.4 billion ($361.7 million USD) and revenue of ¥192.6 billion ($1.8 billion), up 30.2 per cent and 9 per cent year-on-year respectively.
"In the entertainment market, game contents continue to diversify along with functional enhancement of various devices, including mobile devices and video game consoles, and development of information and telecommunications infrastructure," the report said. "In the game industry, efforts are accelerating to offer new experiences through game content in various ways, including eSports, which are regarded as a form of sports competition and are attracting more and more attention."
