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[Shin]

Konami is currently developing a building in Ginza, downtown Tokyo that is set to be a fully functional eSports center, amongst Japan’s recent push to catch up with the the rest of the world. The building, which will be called Konami Creative Center (KCC Ginza), will be 12 floors high with one underground floor, and is set to finish construction this November, just in time for 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

During the brick-laying ceremony held recently, Konami president Kimihiko Higashio stated, “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.”

Situated in downtown Tokyo, KCC Ginza will have the latest sound, video, lighting and communications systems in place for the building’s eSports arena, “eSports Ginza Studio”. Furthermore, KCC Ginza will have staff and instructors offering classes on eSports, in order to help increase the recognition and scope of eSports in Japan. A dedicated shop that will sell eSports equipment and products is also planned to open inside the building.

When it's completed:

Credit: Siliconera
Source: Kyodo News

 

[Lupingosei]

Wow ,nice. But it is Konami, so I don't know.

 

[TLZ]

PES myclub is here to stay.

Goddamit. RIP Master league.

 

[Shin]

PES myclub is here to stay.

Goddamit. RIP Master league.

By that response I take you're equally in shock to see Konami + eSports
More so when they kinda withdrew from the console scene but pushing for something like this.
On the other hand gotta hand it to them, instead of renting a venue they create one from the ground up.

 

[GenericUser]

Wait, isn't Konami the pachinko company?

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Is pachinko esports now?

 

[Yoda]

Wait, isn't Konami the pachinko company?

Came here to post this.

 

[Ban Puncher]

With all your favourite Famicom to PS2 era Konami developers there to scrub the toilets.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Can't wait for them to not pay attention to their own shmup catalogue...

 

[Fuz]

When they say e-sports...


...do they mean pachinko?

 

[KOMANI]

#thankonami

 

[A.Romero]

10 floors filled with your favourite Pachinko machines.

I don't see Konami as a esport player but this could change if they invest heavily.

 

[Neverwas]

butwhy?.gif

 

[Deft Beck]

Can't wait for the class where you can become Kaiden in Beatmania IIDX in just twelve easy years!

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

with what games?

 

[Mr Nash]

If it doesn't pan out I guess they can convert it into another fitness center. How does e-sports even work in Japan? Last I heard they have very small prize pools due to gambling laws and it's what forces their best fighting game players to compete abroad so often in order to make decent money.

 

[Ixiah]

But will they pay anyone ?