# Konami

> Japanese entertainment and video game company

**Wikidata**: [Q45700](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45700)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/konami

## Summary  
Konami is a Japanese entertainment and video‑game company founded on 21 March 1969 by Kagemasa Kozuki.  Headquartered in Tokyo, it develops, publishes and publishes a wide range of video‑game franchises and operates several subsidiaries and divisions, including the music‑game brand Bemani.

## Key Facts  
- **Founded:** 21 March 1969 in Osaka, Japan, by Kagemasa Kozuki.  
- **Headquarters:** Tokyo, Japan (赤坂9丁目7番2号, 港区).  
- **Employees:** 10 392 (as reported).  
- **Industry:** Video‑game development, publishing and entertainment holding.  
- **Publicly listed:** Tokyo Stock Exchange (since 1 Oct 1984) and London Stock Exchange (ticker KNM).  
- **Key subsidiaries:** Konami Digital Entertainment, Konami Sports, Konami Amusement, Konami (United States), PES Productions, KCET.  
- **Owned/operated brands:** Hudson Soft, Team Silent, Ultra Games, Bemani (music‑game division).  
- **Notable franchises:** Contra, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear (implied by related titles), Time Pilot, Sunset Riders, Vendetta.  
- **Stock identifiers:** ISIN JP3300200007, ticker KNM (London).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What are Konami’s most famous video‑game series?  
A: Konami is best known for classic franchises such as **Contra**, **Silent Hill**, **Metal Gear**, **Time Pilot**, and **Sunset Riders**, many of which originated in the 1980s and 1990s and continue to influence modern gaming.

### Q: When and where was Konami founded?  
A: Konami was founded on **21 March 1969** in **Osaka, Japan** by entrepreneur **Kagemasa Kozuki**.

### Q: Is Konami a publicly traded company?  
A: Yes. Konami is listed on the **Tokyo Stock Exchange** (since 1 Oct 1984) and the **London Stock Exchange** under the ticker **KNM**.

### Q: What divisions does Konami have beyond traditional video games?  
A: Konami operates **Bemani** (music‑game division), **Konami Sports**, **Konami Amusement**, and holds former arcade‑hardware companies such as **Hudson Soft** and **Team Silent**.

### Q: How many people work for Konami?  
A: The company reports **10 392 employees** across its global operations.

## Why It Matters  
Konami has shaped the global video‑game landscape for more than five decades. Its early arcade hits (e.g., *Time Pilot*, *Vendetta*) helped define the 1980s gaming boom, while later console franchises such as *Contra*, *Silent Hill* and *Metal Gear* set standards for action, horror, and stealth gameplay. By diversifying into music‑rhythm titles through Bemani, sports equipment, and amusement‑park attractions, Konami broadened the definition of interactive entertainment. Its public‑market presence and extensive subsidiary network illustrate how a single Japanese firm can influence worldwide media, technology, and consumer culture, making it a pivotal case study for business scholars and gaming enthusiasts alike.

## Notable For  
- **Pioneering music‑game genre:** Through the Bemani division, Konami launched rhythm‑game hits like *Dance Dance Revolution* that created a new competitive arcade market.  
- **Iconic action franchises:** *Contra* and *Metal Gear* introduced groundbreaking run‑and‑gun and stealth mechanics that remain industry benchmarks.  
- **Horror innovation:** *Silent Hill* (including the 2001 *Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams* edition) set narrative and atmospheric standards for survival horror.  
- **Global corporate footprint:** Listed on two major stock exchanges and operating subsidiaries across North America, Europe and Asia.  
- **Diversified entertainment portfolio:** Beyond games, Konami produces sports equipment, amusement‑park hardware, and card/slot‑machine products.

## Body  

### History  
- **1969‑1970s:** Founded in Osaka as a jukebox‑manufacturing firm; quickly entered arcade hardware.  
- **1980s:** Shifted focus to software, releasing arcade classics (*Time Pilot*, *Vendetta*) and early console hits (*Contra*).  
- **1990s‑2000s:** Expanded into narrative‑driven titles (*Silent Hill*, *Metal Gear*), and created the Bemani music‑game brand, launching *Dance Dance Revolution* (1998).  

### Corporate Structure  
- **Legal form:** *Kabushiki gaisha* (joint‑stock company).  
- **Headquarters:** Tokyo, Minato‑ku, Akasaka 9‑7‑2.  
- **Subsidiaries & divisions:**  
  - **Konami Digital Entertainment** – core game development.  
  - **Konami Sports** – sports‑related products.  
  - **Konami Amusement** – arcade and amusement‑park hardware.  
  - **PES Productions** – Japanese game development studio.  
  - **Bemani** – rhythm‑game division.  
- **Owned entities:** Hudson Soft (acquired 2011), Team Silent (internal development team for *Silent Hill*), Ultra Games (U.S. publishing arm).  

### Products and Franchises  
- **Arcade classics:** *Time Pilot* (1982), *Vendetta* (1985).  
- **Console franchises:** *Contra* (1987), *Metal Gear* (1995), *Silent Hill* (1999‑present).  
- **Music‑rhythm titles:** *Dance Dance Revolution* (1998), *Beatmania* (1997).  
- **Other media:** Card games, slot machines, model cars, and amusement‑park attractions.  

### Market Position & Competitors  
- Direct competitors include **Rare Ltd.**, **Mojang Studios**, **Riot Games**, **Bandai Namco Entertainment**, **Square**, **Ubisoft**, **Take‑Two Interactive**, and **Electronic Arts**.  
- Holds a strong presence in both console/PC markets and arcade‑gaming sectors, especially in Asia.  

### Financial & Public Listing  
- **ISIN:** JP3300200007.  
- **Stock exchanges:** Tokyo (ticker 9984) and London (ticker KNM).  
- **Employee count:** 10 392, reflecting a sizable global operation.  

### Recent Developments  
- Continued support for legacy franchises via remasters and mobile adaptations.  
- Expansion of Bemani titles into digital platforms and esports tournaments.  

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## References

1. LastDodo
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
5. GRID Release 2017-04-04
6. Quora
7. [Source](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Konami?oldid=2249214)
8. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Konami-6PNE6)
9. YouTube API
10. VideoGameGeek
11. [Konami - PCSX2 Wiki](https://wiki.pcsx2.net/Konami)
12. Video Games Chronicle