We’ve known for a while that the Kojima Productions branding dies with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’s release. Depending on whose side of the story you are listening to, this either happened because Konami wanted to take over control from Kojima, or because Konami wanted to consolidate all of its development. Whatever the case, we have known for a while now that the Kojima Productions name will no longer exist.
Except, it probably goes deeper than that. Akio Otsuka, the Japanese voice actor for Snake in the Metal Gear Solid series, wrote on Twitter today that Kojima Productions has essentially disbanded- moreover, that they were forced to disband.
“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,” Otsuka 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?’ (Laughs.) But even if this is the end, Metal Gear Solid is immortal!”
If true, then it looks like a mass exodus of talent awaits for Konami once Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain releases in September.
