Konami Responds to Queries Over Hideo Kojima Leaving Rumours

A series of curious events have occurred this afternoon, causing confusion about the state of Metal Gear Solid V and creator Hideo Kojima's relationship with Konami.

It all started from a Reddit thread, which later found its way to NeoGAF. In the posts, users noted that Kojima’s name was being removed from Metal Gear Solid 5 artwork. Furthermore, Kojima Productions – the development studio responsible for the series – also appears to have vanished out of existence, while its Los Angeles counterpart has been renamed Konami Los Angeles Studios.

Following a host of rumours and speculation implying that Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima has left the company, Konami has provided a statement which sheds some light on what’s going on.

Speaking to IGN, a Konami representative said: "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.”

What’s not clear at the minute is whether there’s a company-wide rebranding happening at Konami, or whether Kojima has left the company but will stay on in a different role. When we spoke to Kojima recently, he was keen to emphasise Metal Gear Solid V will be the last entry in the series and, if this is any indication, it certainly will be for the man who started it all. The promise of "future announcements" suggests we may have spotted some information Konami wasn't ready to start talking about just yet.

Interestingly, one of Kojima's tweets from March 16 now has a completely new meaning. Was this a prelude as to what happens next? We'll let you guys judge for yourselves.

Heading off. pic.twitter.com/JWyh4DbeIY”

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) March 16, 2015

We’ve reached out to Konami for further clarification and will update as soon as we know more.

Wesley Copeland is a freelance news writer, but you probably already guessed that. For more obvious statements, you should probably follow him on Twitter.