Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima expected to split with Konami after The Phantom Pain

What the hell?

“After we finish [Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain], Mr. Kojima and upper management will leave Konami,” a source within Kojima Productions told GameSpot today amidst speculation that some real crazy shit is happening at the publisher. “They said their contract ends in December.”

There have reportedly been a “fallout” and “power struggles” between Kojima Productions and Konami, which have led to some senior Metal Gear staff, including series creator Hideo Kojima, to be designated “essentially [as] contractors, not permanent employees,” according to the source.

Staggering. Just staggering. And there’s more: Kojima is no longer listed as an executive of Konami. Kojima Productions Los Angeles is now named “Konami Los Angeles Studios,” and its @Kojima_Pro_Live Twitter account has “moved” to @metalgear_en. Lastly, online marketing materials for The Phantom Pain have excised the standard “A Hideo Kojima game” descriptor.

In a statement to press, Konami said it is “shifting [its] production structure to a headquarters-controlled system…” and added that “Konami Digital Entertainment (including Mr. Kojima) will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products.”

Welp, I’m worried about Silent Hills.

Kojima Expected to Leave Konami After MGS5, Inside Source Confirms [GameSpot]