Konami has staged a remarkable comeback in 2026, revitalizing its dormant franchises by embracing a strategy of collaboration with external developers on focused, smaller-scale projects. This approach marks a significant departure from the industry trend of ever-increasing budgets and scope.
Once a titan of the gaming industry, Konami faced a decade of irrelevance following internal turmoil and a perceived shift away from its core franchises in favor of pachinko machines and sports titles. This period saw the decline of beloved series like Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, and Silent Hill. However, a gradual resurgence began in 2023 with releases like Super Bomberman R 2 and the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1. The true turning point arrived in 2024 with the revival of the Silent Hill franchise.
Revitalizing Silent Hill
The Silent Hill revival kicked off with the experimental Silent Hill: The Short Message, which, despite a lukewarm reception, served as a proof of concept. This was followed by the critically acclaimed Silent Hill 2 remake, developed by Bloober Team. In 2025, NeoBards Entertainment delivered Silent Hill f, a radical reimagining that resonated with fans and sold two million units within six months. This success highlighted Konami's new strategy: entrusting its intellectual properties to external partners with a proven track record, allowing them creative freedom within a manageable scope.
This strategy has continued into 2026 with Silent Hill: Townfall, a compact Silent Hill experience from Screen Burn Interactive. While sales figures are yet to be seen, its smaller scale offers Konami significant flexibility.
Castlevania Finds New Life
Konami's strategy has now extended to the Castlevania series with the release of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. Developed by Evil Empire, a studio known for its work on Dead Cells, the game offers a classic 2D Metroidvania experience that has been well-received by fans. This approach avoids the pressure of creating a blockbuster title, instead focusing on delivering a tightly scoped game that honors the franchise's roots.
The success of these collaborations suggests a viable path forward for Konami, potentially involving other developers like Adglobe and Live Wire, or Team Ladybug, for future Castlevania titles. This approach opens the door for creative reinvention without the burden of escalating development costs.
Industry Implications
While Konami appears to be leading the charge, other publishers are experimenting with similar models. Sony's God of War: Sons of Sparta, developed by Mega Cat Studios, and Ubisoft and Sega's ventures with Prince of Persia and Shinobi respectively, indicate a broader industry trend. These smaller-scale projects, though yielding mixed results, represent a less risky investment compared to massive, budget-intensive titles. The current success demonstrates that by carefully matching franchises with skilled third-party partners and focusing on achievable scope, the industry can find a sustainable way to keep its legacy franchises alive and relevant.