Rumor around the game development campfire is that Kojima Productions' Los Angeles studio shut down and Konami plans to make a large-scale investment for the development of the Metal Gear Solid title. Will Hideo Kojima be part of it still?
The gossip fire was lit by the outspoken game developer of Duke Nukem 3D, George Broussard, when he alleged that Konami, a Japan-based video game developer and manufacturer of arcade and slot machines shut down Kojima Productions' LA Studio and laid off all 35 of its employees.
BREAKING: Rumor tells me that Konami has shut down the Kojima Productions LA studio, taking with it approx 35 jobs, just before Xmas.
— George Broussard (@georgeb3dr) November 3, 2015
Broussard then replied with a "Yes. Always." to a post asking if this can be trusted. A similar tweet was posted by World Wide Studios producer Sam Thompson. When asked to confirm, Thompson responded with "signs point to yes."
Really sad news about the loss of Konami's Los Angeles studio. Happy thoughts to all those affected. End of an era for sure, stay strong. — Venice Beach Gandalf (@PortableKingpin) November 2, 2015
A day after the posts were made, Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper, published an article where Konami detailed how the next Metal Gear Solid installment will need massive funding.
"When we start development, a large-scale investment will become necessary," Konami says (translated).
Rumors regarding Kojima Productions getting shut down, and ones about Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, have been floating around since March 2015 after the fallout between the two parties.
The alleged conflict between the two parties arose after Konami announced that it is restructuring its game development operations and proceeded to strip the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain promotional materials off of all references to Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions, which was then referenced as Konami Los Angeles Studio.
Moreover, Konami blocked Kojima Productions' employees access to corporate email and phone systems. The studio's staff were said to move away from Konami after ending their contract with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Prior to all this, Konami cancelled the anticipated release of Silent Hills, a product of Kojima's collaboration with Guillermo Del Toro.
While Konami immediately denied rumors about Hideo Kojima's departure, the company only ascertained his stay until the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain development concludes. The allegations were again reignited after Kojima was booted from his executive position in the company. Moreover, several key personalities — Donna Burke, who retracted her statement, and Akio Ōtsuka — came out to further fuel the rumors. They were further bolstered by the "Debriefing | METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN" video that was uploaded on Konami's channel.
Last month, the New Yorker alleged that Hideo Kojima left Konami. The company once again issued a prompt denial of the allegation and stated that the famed game developer is taking his vacation after concluding his work with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
"Currently, Kojima is a listed as a company employee [at Konami]," Kotaku translates a Konami's statement as published by Tokyo Sports. "Kojima and the development team are finished developing Metal Gear Solid V and are taking a long time off from work."
Furthermore, Nikkei could not get Konami to comment on whether Hideo Kojima will still be with the development team for the next Metal Gear Solid title.
Update: Konami closed the LA studios. This was confirmed by the company on a statement made to Polygon.
