It's been a while since we heard anything from Kojima Productions, but according to a not-so cryptic tweet made by Akio Otsuka – the Japanese voice actor for Solid Snake – the developer has officially been disbanded. Writing on Twitter, the veteran larynx lender posted a heartfelt goodbye to the studio that turned him into a star among stealth fans.
"Kojima Productions was forced to disband, but it appears that the work that the team has been putting their utmost effort into is nearly complete," he said. "I'm not exaggerating when I say that I expect it will become their greatest masterpiece. I couldn't help it. I just wanted to say 'Kept you waiting, huh?' But even if this is the end, Metal Gear Solid is immortal."
Rumours earlier in the year suggested that series creator Hideo Kojima had been ousted from his post, which was all but confirmed following the very public cancellation of promising PlayStation 4 survival horror Silent Hills. It's believed that the senior staff on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain are working as contractors these days, and will leave Konami once the game is complete.
It'll be a sad day when Kojima and his crew do officially depart, but hopefully it'll usher a new era for the auteur. If the people at Sony have any sense at all, they'll be waiting outside Konami HQ with a blank cheque ready and waiting for the departing team.
[source twitter.com, via gematsu.com]
Comments 23
Totally hope Kojima goes on to much bigger projects from now on. Imagine how great his games will be when he puts his full heart into making exactly what he wants.
They'll probably just go and set up their own company separate from Konami. It's not like they wouldn't get funding or be in demand etc...
He's wanted out for years, just reading his more recent interviews he mentions he's getting old and wants to do other things, maybe even films or writing. Whatever he does next, fair play. I love MG, I'm glad to say it's had a great run. I'm also optimistic about where they take it in the future..Its success depends how much of the old blood is left behind, and what Konami actually want out of the franchise, I suppose.
@kyleforrester87 He'd be amazing in the film industry.
The end? No, no, it's just the start of a new beginning!
Will he follow Iga and Yu Suzuki and launch his own Kickstarter project?
For the heaven sake, Sony please take over this team
Kojima wont be out of the spotlight for long, that I know. So I will be waiting for 'MGS spiritual successor: a Kickstarter by Hideo Kojima'
The Fear!😱 The Pain!😫 The Sorrow!😭
...here's to The Boss!🍻
Now I can't decide between car window or HDD cover for my Snake Eater Fox sticker. Prominently displayed, regardless. I'll salute it like a flag 😖
SNNNNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Okay this is probably really stupid to ask, but what exactly is that picture above from? I've seen it on several articles and I feel like I should know it.
I never really got into MGS games. Ive played 2 and 3, but I never really knew what the hell was going on. MGS4 is still on my list of games I someday want to play however
@Azikira It's from MGS3, when you see The End and the Fear for the first time.
Yeah, kinda hard for me to say anything. I read several times that he's wanted out and work on something else. Now he finally gets that chance, and I hope he does well in his next project.
He always said he wanted out, but deep down he couldn't have else you wouldn't have seen a number of MGS game. This is a sad day, it looks like the Phantom Pain will be my last MGS game without Hideo.
I think this really will be potentially game of the year - partly due it being a swansong, partly due to the return of MGS3 sandbox stealth with MGS4 FPS mechanics, and partly due to the Big Boss / 80's setting. That trailer with him in hospital is PHENOMENAL.
@Flurpsel I would genuinely recommend taking a few days to play through MGS1 two or three times. As a stand-alone story and gaming experience, nothing comes close imho. Stylization, animation, textures, particles, voice work, sound fx, pace, timing, script, secrets, unlockables, Easter eggs, replayability, difficulty settings, controls, etc. are all 110% A++ not to mention the plot/story!
I really hope he gets hired by Netflix to make an original metal gear solid tv show/anime series, his style of writing and the length and depth in his storylines would be perfectly suited to a long running show.
@supergurr An Hideo Kojima directed/made anime no matter what it is would be amazing and I'd watch it!
@charlesnarles hehe and how would I do that?
@Flurpsel PSP, Vita, PS3, PS1, PC, 360, technically GameCube, and to a lesser extent Game Boy Color! I once found a playable PS1 copy at the Salvation Army complete with booklet 👍
@supergurr well that ain't gunna happen given Konami own MGS. Besides I'm sure he's glad too see the back of it.
Im sure I read somewhere that konami will be continuing the Metal Gear Solid series, but instead of making them for console's, they're going to be mobile/cell phone games instead.
Its going to be interesting to see what happens with Konami now they don't have there bread and butter, which was Kojima Productions. Though, im sure they will do just fine in the mobile/cell phone market given that alot of studios have gone down that route as its cheap to make games/apps and you can see massive returns at a much lower risk when compared to new-gen home consoles which are becoming ever more risky and expensive investments.
I just hope that Kojima Productions have done everything they can on Phantom Pain and we get the game as was originaly intended with zero comprises.
Kickstarter for a Zone Of the Enders spiritual successor please. I think if there's one game Kojima would still want to make with his newfound freedom, it would be a new ZOE styled game.
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