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[Deleted member 17706]

Whatever the situation is, it seems pretty fucked that Konami would remove his name from the packaging. Metal Gear is Kojima.

I really hope that most of the work on the game has been completed by now and no drastic changes are made before launch. Whatever Kojima ends up doing next (assuming he's no longer going to work at Konami), I'll be there.

Really hope more details leak out in the coming days.

 

[Kyolux]

To me, this seems like reorganization focused on preparing for an eventual departure of Kojima from Konami. Not necessarily now, but it'd be weird if most of what Konami would have in production would be "a hideo kojima game" if kojima wouldn't be with Konami anymore.

 

[nynt9]

Konami renaming Kojima productions makes sense if he is going on a sabbatical.

Removing the "A Hideo Kojima Game" from TPP's box art, however, is straight up disrespectful to everything he has done for the franchise and Konami as a whole.

Incredibly disappointed to see them to that.

Not just from TPP but also from games he's already worked on and finished, what the fuck.

 

[iMax]

Could this be the reason for the U4 delay? Kojima forcing out Druckmann and forcing himself into ND?

 

[Jonnax]

Konami renaming Kojima productions makes sense if he is going on a sabbatical.

Removing the "A Hideo Kojima Game" from TPP's box art, however, is straight up disrespectful to everything he has done for the franchise and Konami as a whole.

Incredibly disappointed to see them to that.

Not only that, they removed his name from the Legacy Collection. Games which he worked on and shipped.

 

[YomommaZ]

Well, its Konami's loss at the end and we all know that
If Kojima left by himself then I respect his decision
BUT if he's among the layoff then its very disrespectful from Konami towards the man who kept them standing

On the edge...

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

I'm torn, I want to boycott Konami, but support Kojima!

 

[Teppic]

Silent Hills better still happen. One of my most wanted games.

 

[Nicktendo86]

Going on sabbatical as you are tired wouldn't mean every reference to his name has to be wiped out surely? I think there has been a massive falling out...

 

[Kyolux]

Not only that, they removed his name from the Legacy Collection. Games which he worked on and shipped.

That's really weird.. but I don't know about disrespectful.. I doubt they would have done this without discussing it with him.

 

[heidern]

Nintendo will probably hire him to head a mobile game development team.

 

[GillianSeed79]

A "whale" on mobile is typically anyone they can convince to spend more than $100 on their game.

Given that many Kojima fans bought Phantom Pain and will be buying MGSV, one could make a reasonable argument that most MGS fans are whales.

I've purchased MGS3 no less than three separate times, and I'm pretty sure that's pretty tame by GAF MGS fan standards.

I get why Konami might want to go with a rebrand to focus everything on the company itself (Let's face it, Kojima has a bit of an ego) Afterall, KojiPro is owned by Konami, why confuse people? That being said, it seems kind of draconian to take his name off the game. It's like what Atari used to do back in the day before ex-Atari programmers founded Activision.

 

[Fury451]

Outstanding. Could use an alert "!", but otherwise very good.

 

[legacyzero]

But Kojima is king tho

 

[shuraiya]

If this means Kojima will finally move on to other projects (even it means leaving Konami), then this is the best news from Konami in a long while.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I wonder what it says that my biggest concern is actually about Rising 2.

 

[Vire]

Damn, I really loved PT.

Hoping Silent Hills doesn't get canceled.

 

[MrMatt555]

This cannot just be him leaving konami. Why would they take his name out of previously created work? Erasing his input entirely? What the hell....

 

[Dr Funfrock]

"I live on, through corporate restructuring!" What the hell Konami, going so far as to remove his name. Though Konami seems to be dodging the topic at the moment at least we'll get a statement from Kojima eventually.

 

[astonish]

It's coming.

 

[Kyolux]

I've purchased MGS3 no less than three separate times, and I'm pretty sure that's pretty tame by GAF MGS fan standards.

I got Snake Eater when that came out. Skipped the Subsistence release, but got the PS2 Collection (that came with MGS on PS1) with Subsistence on it (since I hadn't bought MGS2 before), and got the HD collection on PS3.. I only skipped the version with Yoshis in it I think?

 

[Cyborg]

Can someone recap this?

 

[SmithnCo]

This is insane. Dude was keeping Konami afloat.

 

[Tengrave]

At least we are still getting V but Silent Hills is a huge concern.

 

[Femmeworth]

Konami what are you doing. It's like they don't want people to pay attention the only relevant portion of the company. Kojima must be leaving/stepping down and/or he pissed off someone up top.

 

[jimi_dini]

A "whale" on mobile is typically anyone they can convince to spend more than $100 on their game.

Given that many Kojima fans bought Phantom Pain and will be buying MGSV, one could make a reasonable argument that most MGS fans are whales.

Many many fans also bought the MGS2 demo for full price.
The one that had Zone Of The Enders included for free.

 

[Doctor_Thomas]

Kojima is finishing up development of all the forgotten games. FFXV. TLG. HL3. All 'A Hideo Kojima Game".

 

[Nibel]

#AHIDEOKOJIMAGAME

#AKONAMIGAME

 

[FuturusX]

I feel like my parents are getting divorced and Dad is moving out

And you have to raise the courage to tell Mother that you'll be choosing to live with Dad..

 

[Nocturno999]

 

[Alienous]

#AHIDEOKOJIMAGAME

They're going to edit the 'Kojima is God' references out of The Phantom Pain.

There might not be any game left after that.

 

[CambriaRising]

This is insane. Dude was keeping Konami afloat.

No, not really.

 

[Inferno313]

Gamespot coming in with the scoops apparently.

He's leaving.

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

 

[Ocelott]

I hope he didn't do anything crazy like get in trouble...i really can't fathom them removing his name unless he did something terrible.

 

[Sn4ke_911]

Kojima Expected to Leave Konami After MGS5, Inside Source Confirms

 

[benzy]

If he leaves, will he take Yoji Shinkawa with him?

 

[Broken Joystick]

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

Kojima Expected to Leave Konami After MGS5, Inside Source Confirms
Key devs could leave before 2016, source claims; Senior staff made contractors; Communications block in effect.

A fallout between Kojima Productions and its owning publisher, Konami, has led to senior staff at the studio being restricted access to corporate internet, emails, and phone, 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 led the publisher to make drastic changes, including 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 the studio, 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."

In other developments, Konami has begun removing the Kojima Productions logo from all official Metal Gear art, and it has removed Kojima from 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 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."

 

[FuturusX]

No, not really.

If you replace revenue with GAF HYPE threads..yes he was.

 

[kmax]

Kojima Expected to Leave Konami After MGS5, Inside Source Confirms

Oh shit. It's happening.

Konami's axing Kojima and his team.

 

[usp84]

Gamespot coming in with the scoops apparently.

He's leaving.

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

Is konami crazy???wtf

 

[BaronMonstro]

Gamestop coming in with the scoops apparently.

He's leaving.

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

Ooh, bad timing for Kotaku UK, as they just posted this.

"The 'Kojima Leaving Konami' Rumours Aren't Actually Based on Anything"

 

[BreezyLimbo]

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

Fucking hell no. Say it ain't so.

 

[CambriaRising]

Kojima Expected to Leave Konami After MGS5, Inside Source Confirms

I'm just glad he is staying until MGS5 is out the door. If the source is legit I really like his attitude about it.

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

 

[TyrantGuardian]

I wonder what it says that my biggest concern is actually about Rising 2.

That you have a good taste in games?

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Well shit.

 

[Broritos]

Disrespectful as fuck.

 

[BMO = GOAT]

2016,Kojima free agent season. Gonnabegud.gif

 

[hemo memo]

Can someone recap this?

So I guess events so far could be summarised as thus:

• Reports of major restructuring at Konami, including changes to executive list and rebrandings, along with company focus. Aligns with beginning of new Japan fiscal year on April 1st.
• Hideo Kojima to move away from executive level.
• Reports/rumours of layoffs, including at Kojima Productions. Common for layoffs to occur during the tail end of a development cycle (see: The Phantom Pain) as quantity of required staff decreases.
• Revisionist rebranding of "Kojima Productions" and "A Hideo Kojima Game"; logos, titles, etc removed from existing game websites, press releases, and digital box arts. Focus shifted exclusively to Konami.
• Senior staff from other Konami franchises exit the company, also common during restructuring as staff no longer agree with direction.
• Kojima Productions Los Angeles (Metal Gear Solid V: Online) rebranded Konami Los Angeles Studio.

.

 

[NintenDOMG]

Ooh, bad timing for Kotaku UK, as they just posted this.

"The 'Kojima Leaving Konami' Rumours Aren't Actually Based on Anything"

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Fuck Konami, seriously.

I am Hideo Kojima.