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Hideo Kojima Allegedly Leaving Konami After Metal Gear Solid V Release
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
An anonymous source within Konami told gaming website GameSpot that Metal Gear Solid series creator Hideo Kojima is leaving Konami after completing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The source claims Kojima and the staff of Kojima Productions were at odds with Konami, leading Konami to restrict the staff's access to corporate internet, e-mails, and phone use.
The Kojima staff are allegedly operating like contractors to finish the game. The source said Hideo Kojima and and upper management's contract with Konami ends in December.
The report came after Kojima Production's social media accounts were "moved" to @MetalGear_EN and @MetalGear_JP, its website redirects to the Metal Gear game series' portal and the company's logo was removed from both the portal site and the Metal Gear Sold V website, the Los Angeles Kojima Productions website redirects Konami.com and L.A. job openings were changed from Kojima Productions to Konami USA.
The "A Hideo Kojima Game" phrase was also removed from the game titles on Konami America's Metal Gear Solid page and Kojima is no longer listed as the "Executive Content Officer" Konami's restructuring announcement from earlier this month. Konami issued the following statement:
As we have already announced, we are shifting our production structure to a headquarters-controlled system, in order to establish a steadfast operating base capable of responding to the rapid market changes that surround our digital entertainment business. Konami Digital Entertainment (including Mr. Kojima), will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcement
Tokimeki Memorial and LovePlus producer Akari Uchida and LovePlus character designer Mino☆Tarō (now working as Tarō Minoboshi) announced that they left Konami Digital Entertainment as of Sunday. Konami said it would continue to make LovePlus and Tokimeki Memorial games.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is slated to ship for multiple consoles worldwide on September 1.
[Via Gematsu (Link 2, Hachima Kikō (Link 2)]
