It's no secret that things aren't going well over at Konami. What started with a seemingly simple restructuring has devolved into a feud between the publisher and Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima, the cancellation of Silent Hill successor P.T. and a new focus on mobile and casino games.
If Konami was a smaller company, it's safe to say that no one would have noticed ... but that's just not the case.
What's even worse is that the situation doesn't seem to be getting any better: if the reports from GameBlog (via IGN) are accurate, then FOX Engine Overseer Julien Merceron has left the company. This isn't just some random designer saying goodbye to the company, either: Merceron is Konami's worldwide technology director.
It was during Merceron's tenure with the publisher that the FOX engine was finally put into action: first in Metal Gear Solid V, then in Pro Evolution Soccer. Judging by how many reviewers have praised Metal Gear Solid V's graphics, it's safe to say that the FOX Engine — and Merceron's work — have been a success.
It begs the question: why is Merceron leaving Konami? Well, it's easy to assume that it's simply an extension of the company's other ongoing problems: namely, the feud with Kojima and the publisher's desire to pursue mobile gaming. Granted, there's no real way of knowing exactly what the cause is until Merceron or Konami release a statement ... but with all the company's other troubles over the past few months, it's easy to assume that they have something to do with Merceron's departure.
We'll update this story as new information becomes available.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
