Hideo Kojima Looks To Finally Be Free Of Konami

Next, Kojima’s name was removed from the boxart of the Metal Gear Solid series.

It would certainly prove a coup for Sony to have such a project promised for the PS4, which continues to lead the console market in terms of sales over that of the rival Xbox One and Wii U.

Anyone out there waiting for the latest freaky turn in the ongoing saga between Konami and Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima? While Kojima Productions is best known for its work on Metal Gear, the studio also branched out into interesting new directions, releasing games like the mech title Zone of the Enders and the vampire-themed portable RPG Lunar Knights.

The report comes from Japanese publication Nikkei (via Polygon), which notes that Kojima has left Konami as of this morning. Rather, the report appears to claim he’s launching a new studio of his own with other former Kojima Productions and is in negotiations with Sony to have their first game debut on PlayStation.

Previously, we heard that Kojima’s contract with Konami was set to expire this month. And in a spur of the moment decision, host Geoff Keighley felt the audience had to know. When asked why he did this, Keighley replied, “I wanted him to know that we were thinking of him. And it’s disappointing and it’s inconceivable to me that an artist like Hideo would not be allowed to come here and celebrate with his peers and his fellow teammates”. Whatever the future of the franchise is, Kojima sadly won’t be involved.