Opinion: Why Konami president Hayakawa’s comments on AI matter

We think it should be recognized that Konami president Hideki Hayakawa saying this is a big deal. At a time when Konami is attracting young talent, investing in recruitment and development, and rewarding employees with pay raises, what its leadership says about creators carries weight.

For us, this sends a message both to the industry about how Konami will handle AI and its use in game development, and to the company’s current and future employees. The people making the games still matter.

What Hayakawa said

As reported by AUTOMATON WEST, the Konami Digital Entertainment president addressed AI in Konami’s 2026 Integrated Report. His view is that engines and user-generated content have already made game creation more accessible. Even if AI improves production efficiency, people and creators remain central to making entertaining, innovative games. He also emphasised the exchange of ideas within teams and the difficulty of replacing that creative chemistry.

The original report also describes organisational support for creators to understand new technology, assess its risks, and use it safely. Our reading is that Konami sees technology as something its people can work with while keeping their creative contribution at the centre.

Why the message matters

There is concrete context behind our point about Konami’s appeal to young talent. The Mynavi–Nikkei employer survey for students graduating in 2026 placed Konami Group tenth among liberal arts students, up from thirty-first the previous year. Konami also announced its fourth consecutive base-pay increase for full-time employees in Japan, effective March 2026, alongside an increase in graduate starting salaries.

That is why we think Hayakawa’s position deserves attention. A company trying to recruit and develop the next generation of creators is also telling them that their ideas and collaboration remain essential.

Our conversation with readers

The discussion continued on October 17–18. Below are the four reader replies we responded to, followed by our replies in full. Our replies retain their original wording and paragraph breaks.

LobsterJohnson (@camheis0): Konami and Capcom’s resurgence

Their reply to our main post:

LobsterJohnson’s reply on X

Our response — October 17, 2026:

As just a pure gamer it’s been great to see

Danger, Will Robinson! (@roqqnrolla): Remakes, ports, and original work

Their reply to our main post:

Danger, Will Robinson!’s reply on X

Our response — October 18, 2026:

The current Metal Gear dev team is doing just that: preparing their new studio for new, original work. But of course Konami would be stupid not to use its valuable IPs for remakes and ports. Capcom does the same, as does everyone.

NotMe (@PlzH8MeImHorny): AI tools and the people making games

Their reply to our main post:

NotMe’s reply on X

Our response — October 18, 2026:

They'll use AI, but it sounds like it'll help people work more efficiently and ethically. Unlike others going all in on AI creative slop, it sounds like Konami still values its people most. You're delusional if you think NO AI of any kind is being used.

Ophaque (@Ophaque1): Has Konami turned itself around?

Their reply to our main post:

Ophaque’s reply on X

Our response — October 18, 2026:

It's a few things that have happened over the past few years. Don't get it twisted: Konami is still, in many ways, an old-fashioned Japanese family-owned and run company, but they also have shareholders and a board to answer to. The successes of MGS Delta, MGS ports, Silent Hill remakes, and other recent games have given them the confidence to enter the triple-A game market again, knowing how much investment it takes to make those games commercial successes.

They have also been strengthening their commitment to educating and developing their own students and bringing them into the company, while hiring the best people they can, not just locally in Japan, but outside Japan as well.

Another major factor is that a lot of executive management has been moved around, and attitudes have changed over the years. Konami is thriving and aggressively reinvesting in the company.

Though they still struggle to win the hearts of so many they've burned bridges with, they are trying to let their actions speak louder than words. Their pursuit of game development and investment in it are essentially telling fans, "Hey guys, we are back, things are changing, and we hope you'll give us a chance to win you back."

Make no mistake: Konami will still make the occasional mistake and questionable decision. But I have seen a concerted effort on their part to listen to fans, be more open with them, and release the best products they can, not only to make the company successful, but to make fans happy as well.

Don't forget, at the end of the day, Konami is still a business, and that won't change. But I like the Konami I've seen as of late, and I'm willing to give them a chance to mend relationships and restore ties that were once lost. And this is coming from me, one of their biggest criticizers in the past, but unlike most, I don't sit here and hold a grudge, as a fan, I want the old Konami back.

Sources

Konami Integrated Report 2026 — Hayakawa’s Digital Entertainment business commentary
AUTOMATON WEST’s report · AUTOMATON WEST’s quoted post

Our original post — October 17, 2026

Our follow-up replies: To LobsterJohnson · To Danger, Will Robinson! · To NotMe · To Ophaque

Supporting sources

Konami’s official salary-increase announcement
Mynavi–Nikkei employer rankings for 2026 graduates