Opinion | So, Kojima Is No Longer At Konami

If you're a gamer, you've probably heard the news already either via Polygon or IGN but it appears that after Metal Gear Solid 5 is done, so are Hideo Kojima and Konami. W. T. F?!

Kojima and Kojima Productions (the team behind the Metal Gear, Zone of the Enders franchises as well as the coming Silent Hills game) look to be parting ways with parent company Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Personally, this is both very surprising and not surprising at all at the same time. Rumors of discord between Kojima Productions and Konami have been around the industry for years, but the team has created and churned out some of the best performing titles for the company over the last decade, that the idea of them parting ways never crossed my mind.

If you're Konami, why throw out the goose that lays golden eggs. If your Kojima Productions, why leave the party with anyone but the person that brought you?

As of writing this, Konami has responded to the rumors stating that, "Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcements." But what can't be denied is that "Kojima Productions" credits have been removed from current marketing materials for three upcoming Metal Gear games: Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes and Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection. Additionally, the official Twitter account for the Metal Gear franchise (@Kojima_Pro_Live) has been shut down, and fans have been directed to follow the new official account (@metalgear_en).

When you remove a name that in your industry has been synonymous with things like "quality production" and "being a visionary" from yet-to-be-released - and yet to make you money - titles, one has to believe that the partnership has ended. It's like taking back your maiden name after a divorce, you do it so you don't have to see a reminder on a daily basis. It's also a good indicator that the relationship ended badly, with lots of negative feelings for your previous spouse.

Guess Kojima really wasn't kidding. The Phantom Pain really will be the last Metal Gear game. W. T. F.