'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' is Kojima's Last Project with Konami
It is official. Hideo Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions is no longer working with publisher Konami after "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain." After three decades of working with Konami, the game designer, will part ways with the publisher before 2016.
The separation was first sparked by the apparent removal of Kojima's logo in the game's box art. Earlier this month, a tweet from a voice actress who worked on "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" confirmed that Kojima was booted out of the project. However, Konami was quick to refute the statement. The publisher then reinstated Kojima's logo on the game's promotional materials.
As the game development progresses, rumors of the strained partnership continue to mount to the dismay of many fans. Kojima, the creator of the series, released a statement to reassure fans of his involvement in the project.
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"I want to reassure fans that I am 100% involved and will continue working on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain," he said. "I'm determined to make it the greatest game I've directed to date. Don't miss it!"
The strain in the relationship was reportedly due to the "power struggles" between the production and the publisher. From an executive post at Konami, Kojima is now just a "contractor" with a contract that will expire before 2016.
To assure fans of the quality of the MGS franchise, Konami admitted that they are now conducting interviews for a new development team that they will work with on MGS5 after the split with Kojima and that they would "continue to develop and distribute top-quality content in the Metal Gear series following the Phantom Pain."
"We greatly anticipate and deeply appreciate your ongoing support for Metal Gear," the publisher added.
Watch the game's "Quiet" trailer, here.
"Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" is set for release on Sept. 1.
