Hideo Kojima removed from Metal Gear marketing
[UPDATE] Fallout between Konami and Kojima Productions reportedly has developer departing after completion of Metal Gear Solid V
Hideo Kojima's name has been almost synonymous with the Metal Gear franchise for years, but Konami is trying to change that. In the wake of a restructuring, the publisher has taken a number of steps recently to downplay the developer's association with the franchise, as detailed by a number of posters on NeoGAF.
The first evidence that Kojima's role with the company has changed actually came earlier this month, when Konami revealed an organizational restructuring resulting in a host of new titles for those among its executive ranks. Of the seven content officers appointed in July of 2014, only two---Kojima and Shinichi Hanamoto--were left without a new executive appointment. (Hanamoto may have already left the company; he was appointed senior content officer last year, but one of the other content officers was given that title in November).
Beyond that, Konami also changed the official Metal Gear Solid Twitter account. Previously, it was @Kojima_Pro_Live, a reference to the Kojima Productions studio that creates the games. Earlier today, Konami announced the new official Metal Gear Twitter account is @metalgear_en. The Kojima Productions website also now forwards directly to Konami's Metal Gear portal site. Going further still, Konami has removed the tagline "A Hideo Kojima Game" from Metal Gear promotional art on the publisher's official site.
Despite the omission from Konami's executive ranks, Kojima is apparently still employed by the publisher. A Konami representative had not immediately responded to a GamesIndustry.biz request for comment, but sister site Eurogamer was given a short statement saying, "Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcements."
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has been announced for release September 1 of this year.
[UPDATE]: GameSpot has more on the situation, citing a source within Kojima Productions with the news that a rift has surfaced between studio management and Konami. According to the report, Kojima and other senior staff are essentially finishing up The Phantom Pain as contractors, and are expected to cut ties with Konami completely at the end of the year. Kojima and other development staff will only be given limited opportunities to help promote The Phantom Pain's launch, and have reportedly already had their access to corporate internet, emails, and phone restricted.
Very curious to see what he does next.
Metal Gear without Kojima from this point on? Not likely to succeed with some hardcore fans if that oddball factor gets replaced with just another action game that gets slapped with the MGS title and has the basic gameplay elements wrapped into it.
That and the too generic statement doesn't exactly build any confidence here those words will hold up in the future if things fall completely apart.
Eh, we'll see. I'm also looking forward to seeing what Kojima does next (besides take a long and well-needed vacation).
Interesting situation regardless. I'd be surprised if we ever hear the full story.
http://www.newsweek.com/hideo-kojima-148239
http://goo.gl/yTvRxM
and so forth and so on...
I'd say some outlets have tried hard to make Kojima more of a household name a few times over the years.
@ Adam: Really: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-20-konami-announces-plan-for-brand-new-metal-gear-solid-series
This should be interesting...
Considering this is one of Konami's biggest IP and the Kojima continually speaks of ending the series, I can't say I'm surprised they would look to create a new one with a new director.
Don't get me wrong, he's a household name for fans and well respected across the industry. I'm not convinced people would give up on more Metal Gear Solid, if it had good direction.
" I mean come on, he has completely run the show for MGS since inception and dominates their press and social media."
Perhaps that could be the issue some higher ups at Konami have with Kojima. If I had to predict anything, it would be the return of David Hayter as Snake, which would immediately grant Konami some immunity amongst those who don't want to see a MGS game without Kojima's name on it. I know there are studios and teams who COULD do a decent enough MGS experience (PlatinumGames was my first thought as the ones to grab the gold ring), but it's going to be interesting to see how fans who expect MGS and Kojima to be joined at the hip react to whatever news comes down the road.
I'll say no more on this until Konami drops news just because I hate speculation in general (even my own!) and prefer hearing what's what as facts roll in.
p.s. Naka left Sega but still Sega distributes his games in Japan (Rodea)
Some might say I should play Splinter Cell instead wich I do. But a more realistic MGS without the childish features would do the Franchise a big favor.
And yes I want David Hayter back. Not as an actor but for the story or the screen(game-)play. He proved himself with the screenplay for Watchmen (and X-men) how to make a more serious super-hero movie.
And Kojima should make the same thing, Hayter did- try his luck in the film buisness wich he always referrs to. Make Fantasy animation movies, or start writing something for the "big" screen.