Kojima ending relationship with Konami

[George]

Well it all started with this article by Gamespot with a 'source' telling them about the whole thing:

A fallout between Kojima Productions and its publisher, Konami, has led to senior staff at the studio given restricted access to corporate internet, emails, and phone calls, GameSpot understands.


Along with the restricted communications, key developers at the studio, such as Hideo Kojima, will now have limited opportunities to lend their appearance to promotions of the studio’s upcoming game, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.


Power struggles between Kojima Productions and Konami have convinced the publisher to make drastic changes, including amending the employee status of its Metal Gear team. Some senior staff at the studio, including Kojima, now essentially work as contractors, not permanent employees.


The extraordinary measures were revealed by a source within Konami, speaking to GameSpot on the condition of anonymity. The person explained that, once the Phantom Pain project is finished, in all likelihood the management at the studio will disband.


"After we finish MGSV, Mr. Kojima and upper management will leave Konami. They said their contract ends in December," the source claimed.


The person added: "At a team meeting, Mr Kojima explained that team have to be one and make a good game for fans."


Kojima, now 51, joined Konami in 1986. His departure from the company will bring an end to nearly three decades of service.


In other developments, Konami has begun erasing the Kojima Productions logo from all official Metal Gear art, and it has demoted Kojima off its executive team. Meanwhile, Kojima Productions’ branding has also been removed from Twitter, the official Metal Gear website, and even the LA office listing.


Representatives for Konami would not discuss specifics of the matter when contacted by GameSpot. The corporation has offered a statement, however.


It reads: "Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcements."


The corporation's central public relations team, based in Tokyo, is unavailable at the time of going to press, due to it being past midnight local time.


Metal Gear Solid 5, Kojima’s latest iteration in the famed series, ships in September on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.


An expanded statement from Konami follows: "As we have already announced, we are shifting our production structure to a headquarters-controlled system, in order to establish a steadfast operating base capable of responding to the rapid market changes that surround our digital entertainment business. Konami Digital Entertainment (including Mr. Kojima), will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcements."

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/kojima-expected-to-leave-konami-after-mgs5-inside-/1100-6426024/

Now Konami has issued an official statement that they will continue making MGS games after Kojima leaves the company.

http://www.konami-digital-entertainment.co.jp/en/news/topics/2015/0320/


If that wasn't adding insult to injury, Konami has now taken Hideo Kojima's name off of promotional material on their site and has renamed Kojima Studios LA as Konami Studios LA (which they are hiring at right now).




As of April 1st, Kojima will no longer be a Konami executive. Ironically enough April 1st was the 10th anniversary of his studio.


http://www.konami-digital-entertainment.co.jp/en/news/release/2015/0304/?cm_sp=01-_-release-_-20150304-e


The Kojima Pro twitter account also stated that they will be moving to a generic Metal Gear twitter account:
https://twitter.com/Kojima_Pro_Live/status/578473094995542016

RIP Konami... you just killed your only hit.

[Sharky]

Woah removing his name from the box art is petty to a point that it's kind of comical... Like an Asian parent removing their son from the will for not finishing college. U BRING GREAT SHAME TO THIS FAMILY KOJIMA!

[JRcade19]

So when are we holding the funeral for Konami games then?

[George]

Yeah, I can't think of many other games that Konami has left to destroy. While the '2D Castlevania' games stopped selling on handhelds, they basically killed it with the 3D PS3/360 games. Silent Hill is dead and was suppose to be resurrected with Kojima, who will leave after MGSV.

So here are the franchises they own:

- Castlevania
- Contra
- Dance Dance Revolution
- Gradius
- Frogger
- Suikoden
- Ganbare Goemon
- Metal Gear
- Pro Evolution Soccer
- Silent Hill

Licensed:

- TMNT
- Yu-Gi-Oh!

They do have other smaller franchises like TwinBee that I used to like and Zone of Enders, but they don't care about those franchises. I basically think Konami will milk MGS games till they lose all the audience then move on to mobile, then fail and leave games all together.

This is the last Contra game, wtf...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASE9zUqf57M

What is this...

[Aki-at]

It amazes me Contra did not get a large scale third person shooter last generation when every major Jaoanese publisher had one on their books.

[CrazyT]

Konami removing his name is absolutly disgusting.

[George]

Konami has released a joint statement with Kojima:

To Customers,

Thank you for your continued patronage of KONAMI products and services.

The latest title in the METAL GEAR series,“METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN” (below, “MGSV: TPP”), will be released as planned starting on Tuesday, September 1st, 2015 in North America, Latin America, and Europe, followed by Japan and Asia on Wednesday, September 2nd. Hideo Kojima will remain involved throughout.

Hideo Kojima stated, "I want to reassure fans that I am 100% involved and will continue working on METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN; I’m determined to make it the greatest game I’ve directed to date. Don’t miss it!"

In addition, KONAMI will continue to develop and distribute top-quality content in the METAL GEAR series following “MGSV: TPP.” We greatly anticipate and deeply appreciate your ongoing support for METAL GEAR.

As the next step in the series, KONAMI has already resolved to develop new “METAL GEAR”.

We will be conducting interviews for main staff to lead the development.

https://www.konami.com/news/mgsvnotice/

Like I predicted, Metal Gear 1 and Metal Gear 2 remakes are coming...

[TimmiT]

I'd really like remakes of those games, but it doesn't say anywhere in there that they're going to make those. Just that they're going to make a new Metal Gear game after MGSV, likely without Kojima.

[CrazyT]

Some major stuff has rgone down at konami huh.. Honestly this move destroys the whole image of konami. The heads over there are just being straight up douchebags. How will anyone feel pride working under such foul unprofessional people. Eww

[George]

Yes, Metal Gear. Not a new Metal Gear Solid. Not only does MSV leaves the game at the start of Metal Gear, but they SPECIFICALLY used 'Metal Gear' as a name in the press release. Why not say Metal Gear Solid... Tho it could be side games like Revengence. But let's be honest, Metal Gear remake is coming... there is no other reason for Konami to change the voice of Big Boss in V outside of planning a reunion in the remake...

Personally think the big contenders for getting Kojima after his departure are Sony (first) and I can see Microsoft trying to scoop him up.

Tho I hear Kojima and Nagoshi are friends and Nagoshi is Chief Creative Officer at SEGA and part of the board of directors in the company.

[SEGA RedWolf]

As of April 1st, Kojima will no longer be a Konami executive. Ironically enough April 1st was the 10th anniversary of his studio.

As of April 1st, Kojima will no longer be a Konami executive. Ironically enough April 1st was the 10th anniversary of his studio.
April 1st huh? I don't want to be that guy, but what if this is a cruel joke? Isn't Kojima the kind of guy that trolls his fanbase? Or am I thinking of another big name developer? Either way, if this is true then this doesn't bode well for the Metal Gear IP. Just look what they've done to Silent Hill.

[George]

It isn't a joke. April 1st doesn't mean anything in Japan and April 1st is when their financial report is released (that is why changes happen).

Also, not making big news due to Hideo, Konami also let go of their Love Plus staff and will also continue making games in the series.

http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/18/despite-complications-konami-will-continue-making-loveplus-tokimeki-memorial-games/

[crackdude]

Kojima is the master of ruse. I'll wait and see.

[Moody]

Honestly I wanna know why they didn't kick him out sooner. If I had a guy constantly giving bad PR, being ungrateful towards the company, and doing everything in his power to kill franchises, I'd have kicked him out after MGS IV at the latest.

[CrazyT]

Honestly I wanna know why they didn't kick him out sooner. If I had a guy constantly giving bad PR, being ungrateful towards the company, and doing everything in his power to kill franchises, I'd have kicked him out after MGS IV at the latest.

He did? Explain..