Yesterday, it was revealed that Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear series, could be leaving Konami after nearly three decades at the company. Everything is still speculation, but disagreements between Kojima's production company (the aptly-titled Kojima Productions) and Konami seemed to result in all of the studio's branding being removed from promotional art of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Some reports even claim that Kojima Productions staff are on full social media lockdown until Konami can control the situation. Worst of all, it seems like the partnership could be on the verge of falling apart entirely.
Konami's first statement didn't really help the situation, especially considering how vague it was, though it did mention that the company would continue to work with Kojima in the future. Unfortunately, Konami's second statement doesn't clear everything up, but it does announce the publisher's intentions (thanks to Kotaku for the translation):
"After the release of MGSV: TPP, Konami plans to also continue releasing titles in the Metal Gear series."
At first, the news might not sound like much - Metal Gear Solid is one of Konami's biggest franchises, of course it would continue to make more games - but the company's press release starkly contrasts statements made by Kojima earlier in the month, in which he claimed that The Phantom Pain would be his last Metal Gear title. Granted, Mr. Kojima has claimed as much before, but with all that's going on, it seems like this time might be the real deal.
Here's Konami's full statement on the future of Metal Gear:
"The latest entry in the series, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, will be released with Hideo Kojima as originally announced on September 1, 2015 in North America, Central and South America and Europe as well as on September 2 in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.
After the release of MGSV: TPP, Konami plans to also continue releasing titles in the Metal Gear series. We would like to offer our deep gratitude for your continued support of the Metal Gear series."
Realistically speaking, it could be Konami doing a bit of damage control: when Kojima said that Metal Gear Solid V would be his last, many assumed it meant the end of the series. Konami could simply be reassuring its fans that Metal Gear will live on, even after Kojima has moved to another project.
However, in light of everything that's happened over the past few days, it seems as if Konami really is preparing for the departure of one of its most valuable players. On top of all the brand switching, job listings have popped up on Konami's Japanese site looking for triple-A developers to lead a new project. Again, it could be anything, but the timing of everything is suspect.
For those worried about the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, you can rest easy: the game will still launch in September as planned. However, whatever plans Kojima had for the game - and the series - following its release are currently stuck in limbo. Until Konami or Kojima himself releases an official statement, fans are going to be left in the dark.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is set for release on Sep. 1.
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