I just received word from a source of mine that SNK Playmore, the Neo-Geo creator responsible for such classic titles as The King of Fighters and Metal Slug, will soon be closing its doors, at least in the US. This summer, the company will officially cease direct sale of its games and will instead see distribution duties go to Ignition USA.
In 2001, the original incarnation of SNK closed as well, with company founder Eikichi Kawasaki investing in a new company known as Playmore. By 2003, Playmore had become SNK Playmore, sometimes just referred to by the original name of SNK. The new distribution plans happened a while back, but it seems like things are a bit more serious.
No word on whether this is just SNKP US or if this affects Japan as well. What I do know is that a lot of SNKP US people are out of a job. Well, pretty much everyone from what I know. We'll let you know more when we hear it.
[Update: This was apparently proven false, but all I have to go on is a leaked email from SNKP US president Ben Herman. I can't do more than talk about what I read, and I have included the exact words after the jump for you to see if there is any other conclusion I might be able to draw from it.]
SNKP closing again:
Here we go again. SNK will exit direct sales by year end and plans to distribute new stuff thru Ignition USA. I will help them close down again but my full time duties end June 30th.
Maybe something changed between now and then, but them's the president's words. Maybe they're relocating without telling him or something.
Contest:
5:30 PM on 05.13.2008
| 
![SNK Playmore is closing once again [Update] photo](http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/85869-snkmomore.jpg)
either way, most people consider the actual SNK dead even after the SNK Playmore era.
That or i have a bad idea about "closing it's doors"
Still, this is very gay and cannot end well for anyone.
If anything it just means SNK Playmore will close offices in the US.
http://www.ignitionusa.com/press.htm
Edited original post to lend some more context.
Just means we'll have to revert to importing SNK games.....again. I blame SNK's stupidity in bringing the wrong games over and Sony for cockblocking single release 2d SNK games on the PS2.
Provided I'm not wrong on all of SNK Playmore shutting down :P
hopefully Ignition will do better with releasing SNK games on this end...if they have any word or say on what gets released.
Yes, I know they're not closing, but still... I will miss the SNK Playmore branding. Why do they die and SegaSammy gets to live? WHY?!?!?!?!?!
That's my take, and I'm sticking to it. Sad to See SNK US closing down, but as long as we continue to get games, who cares where they come from?
You are the one that's not reading, Jim updated the post after noticing that he didn't wrote that it the Us brach was the only one closing
Don't worry, there are still SNK games being made, but its obviously harder for SNK in todays games market conditions. I think SNK know, they need to shake things up and diversify more to stay in business, hence the upcoming Guilty Gear game on 360, not being just another beat em up.
Their goods will be in good hands, because Ignition have been handling most, if not all SNK's U.K/EU game distribution for a while now, and a fine job they do too. The U.S wing will do the same.
Fear not Dtoiders.
Come on, outside of Metal Slug DS and KOF12, what else are they good for beyond that?
SNdelay USA is done for and a competent publisher is taking over for them. I wish Sega would do the distro but I'll take what I can get.
Farewell. I won't miss your ineptitude.
Any other updates?