Video game designer Hideo Kojima, known for his work on the Metal Gear Solid series, was banned from attending last night's Game Awards due to contractual obligations with the video game company Konami, which just adds to the recent drama between the two sides.
Many thought that Kojima would be present at the award ceremony because of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, but according to Canadian video game journalist and presenter Geoff Keighley, the host of the ceremony, Konami's lawyers made it more or less impossible during the show:
"Mr. Kojima had every intention of being with us tonight, but unfortunately he was informed by a lawyer representing Konami just recently that he would not be allowed to travel to tonight's award ceremony to accept any awards. He's still under an employment contract and it's disappointing."
The actions taken by Konami's legal representatives seem a bit heightened—or even counterintuitive—over someone who is "just on vacation," which has been the given story and/or excuse for Kojima's absence from the Konami roster. According to his contract, his noncompete clause runs throughout December.
Keighley also made sure to tweet to Kojima about how he was missed at the Game Awards.
@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN congrats, we miss you my friend!
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 4, 2015
Actor Kiefer Sutherland, the voice of Venom Snake in MSGV, accepted Kojima's myriad awards on his behalf.
So far, Kojima has not made an official statement on the matter.
Via: The Verge
