Although Hideo Kojima had a rough 2015, it looks like 2016 will start on a positive note for the video game developer.
Next month, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences will make Kojima the 21st inductee into its Hall of Fame.
Kojima will receive the 2015 Hall of Fame award from director, screenwriter and novelist Guillermo del Toro at next month's DICE summit.
Kojima joins the ranks of esteemed fellow Hall of Famers Gabe Newell, John Carmack and Leslie Benzies.
"Hideo Kojima's career-defining works have shaped much of how the video game industry approaches cinematic storytelling and player engagement," said Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. "As one of the most well-loved and well-respected designers of our time, it is a great honor for the Academy to induct him into our Hall of Fame. Hideo is a game creator whose eyes have always looked towards the future, and we look forward to his thoughts on the DICE Summit stage."
Last year proved a struggle for Kojima, who is best known as the former vice president of Konami Digital Entertainment, particularly on the Metal Gear franchise of games. Not only did he leave the company (or got fired from it, depending on whom you ask), but there was also some controversy over a new Silent Hills game with del Toro that Konami eventually shelved.
The severed relationship between Kojima and Konami also resulted in his getting banned from attending the Game Awards last year, despite his involvement with the developer's recent Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain title, but presenter Geoff Keighley, the show's host, stated that Konami's lawyers forbade Kojima from appearing there.
Kojima's departure from Konami just added to the company's bad reputation, particularly with gamers.
However, Kojima has moved on with his own independent studio, Kojima Productions, and has plans to release a PlayStation 4-exclusive title under that banner.
"I will be taking on a new challenge by establishing my own independent studio, and I am thrilled to be able to embark on this journey with PlayStation, who I have continued to work with all these past years," said Kojima in a Sony press release. "I cannot wait to deliver, with PlayStation, a game that will become a compelling franchise."
