Call it self-indulgent if you want to, but we've gotten used to Hideo Kojima's name being on the box of Metal Gear Solid games. The fact that Konami has opted to remove it from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – amid nasty rumours regarding the auteur's future – has rocked the gaming industry, then. Fortunately, Aussie outlet JB Hi-Fi is fighting back.
Kotaku took a bunch of snaps from various stores around the country where makeshift signs had been added to display stands for the sequel, proudly flaunting the fact that this is, indeed, "A Hideo Kojima Game". Alright, we've already seen this trick pulled at Gamescom 2015 and other conventions, but we reckon that more stores should follow suit.
After all, how's the consumer supposed to know that they're getting a quality product without Kojima's all-important badge of honour?
[source kotaku.com.au, via vg247.com]
Comments 22
It really is a Kojima game. Without the man this game series wouldn't be as loved as it is. He really puts forward his personality into the games which is what make them so unique.
Seen a few of these "stunts" - bit lame if you ask me!
@kyleforrester87
Oh good, I'm not the only one thinks that...
You lot act as if his name has been scrubbed off the credits (including post mission/end credits), only then this wouldn't seem so pathetic. You also act as if Portable Ops & the Ac!d series doesn't exist. His name was just taken off the box and promotional materials, that's it.
@Punished_Boss_84 I think you're missing the point. It's not about his name being removed. It's the lack of respect shown by Konami to one of the greats in the industry. After all Kojima did for Konami and Metal Gear Solid it seems harsh to do this on what is likely to be his swansong for this great series of games.
@stevie85 agreed.
@kyleforrester87 Agreed, anyway the latest trailer solidified this is Kojima game doesn't need to be on the box everyone knows.
This is really cool =).
@stevie85
The point? That's precisely what this story is about, I've never heard the tag line "A Hideo Kojima Game" uttered so much in this series' history, and to be honest it's getting annoying (and shows people know who MGS5 is by). Kojima did a lot, I don't deny that.
But he (and the staff) is still getting credit where credit is due. Konami and Kojima are going on different paths. Nothing can be done about the Bad Blood, it happened, they've accepted their destiny.
@Punished_Boss_84 While I agree it's getting out of hand and the sooner the game releases the better. I just feel Konami could have shown Kojima more respect and both part ways on good terms. It's just a shame what road Konami have decided to take.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if things were that bad I doubt Kojima would still be plugging the game as he is and directing his own trailers. He's a big boy and until I see evidence to the contrary I'd expect the parting of ways is mutual inline with the conditions that you'd be right to assume he has and agreed to. These kind of stunts just come across as being a bit naff and cringey - if he has something to say about the situation let him say it. I'd actually not be surprised if the whole thing is just really awkward for him lol.
The fact is this small detail represents a lot more. If Konami actually bothered putting out a statement that explained anything then people may not be so hung up about it. But everyone knows something negative has gone on, it's quite clear, but no one is willing to talk about it. I normally would agree that things were more mutual if MGSV was the end of the line and that was it. But then there's Silent Hills.
No one honestly knows what the hell happened there and Konami's vague statement about mobile gaming, whilst also wanting to support their older franchises, only aroused further suspicion and confusion.
I have a feeling this will all come out in the wash eventually, and it's not going to be pretty. So I can see why people would do this, and fair play to them.
I think it's abit stupid too, I'm gonna buy it because it's Metal Gear Solid game, not because Kojima's name is on it I didn't play the other games just because it had Kojima's official seal of quality on it lol
Does anyone buying the game not know this? If they do not know this already, would they care?
One thing's for sure: putting up a hand written sign up by a new product is somehow "sticking it to Konami". That'll show 'em.
Yas
One things for sure Hideo Kojimas next game will be amazing.
How about SNATCHER 2!!!
Watch this.
http://www.thejimquisition.com/2015/08/the-jimquisition-the-silent-hell-that-is-konami/
Then also bear in mind that it's not just MGSV they've taken his name off, it's also the previous MGS on the Konami site. They've also removed all references to Kojima Productions from various pages. When they're retroactively removing the name of the creator and his team from products dating back to the 90s, you know its far more petty and unbecoming of a (once) major company than just redesigning the current box art for an as-yet unreleased game. They also banned him and his team from using Twitter until recently.
@glassmusic Actually these photos have been tweeted to Kojima and framed as a show of support and appreciation towards him rather than as a middle finger to Konami. He then retweeted it and favourited it. It was also his birthday recently, so it was a nice present for him, I guess.
@hYdeks
Well good luck with that! I hope you enjoy the next Metal Gear Solid game whenever it'll be released, if ever, because I sure as hell won't be buying the abomination it's bound to be. lol
Just look at how Castlevania went when Iga left as a nice example of why people like Kojima matter a ton to a project.
Please watch the language -Tasuki-
People have also made this, removing all traces of the Konami logo in the process.
@Matroska I'd buy that version.
I kinda like the idea of my GZ case (and all the others) bearing his name, sitting right next to PP conspicuously lacking it
@Churchy Hit the nail on the head much? This is pretty much the solution but it's kinda late for this anyway since every is just upset about it now.
@wittypixel Haha, I just call it as I see it. Unfortunately, a lot of large sources aren't able to tell it like it is. Even so, any explanation would at least clear up details and we'd have some clues as to what's really going on.
Ah well, they made their choice.
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