Kojima Leaving Konami? The Patriots swing into action.

[Neon Ignition]

I dunno, Kojima makes good games but they're often very slow to turn around so I wouldn't be surprised to see him struggle. Especially if he remains fixated on hollywoodisms

[Yakumo]

I mean do Sega really regret losing Yuji Naka?

I doubt it. Working in a Japanese company I see may Yuji Naka types. While I've never met the guy I've read enough to know about his character. It's not far off some people I work with. Basically if it wasn't for Sonic (which he wasn't the sole creator of) he'd probably still be a nobody. No one knew who he was until after Sonic. For example, did you guys know he was behind the ****ty Mega Drive port of Thunder Blade?

[JU!]

Looks like this is the end :..(, as others have put possible goodbye Z.O.E 3, goodbye Silent Hills...

From Game spot via Neo Gaf

A fallout between Kojima Productions and its owning publisher, Konami, has led to senior staff at the studio being restricted access to corporate internet, emails, and phone, GameSpot understands.

Along with the restricted communications, key developers at the studio, such as Hideo Kojima, will now have limited opportunities to lend their appearance to promotions of the studio?s upcoming game, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Power struggles between Kojima Productions and Konami have led the publisher to make drastic changes, including the employee status of its Metal Gear team. Some senior staff at the studio, including Kojima, now essentially work as contractors, not permanent employees.

The extraordinary measures were revealed by a source within the studio, speaking to GameSpot on the condition of anonymity. The person explained that, once the Phantom Pain project is finished, in all likelihood the management at the studio will disband.

"After we finish MGSV, Mr. Kojima and upper management will leave Konami. They said their contract ends in December," the source claimed.

The person added: "At a team meeting, Mr Kojima explained that team have to be one and make a good game for fans."

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/kojima-expected-to-leave-konami-after-mgs5-inside-/1100-6426024/

[Asura]

I see people online lamenting this, saying it spells doom for ZOE, Silent Hill and Castlevania.

Seems daft. Metal Gear, I understand - it'll certainly lose something, but ZOE? Didn't Kojima only work on ZOE2 in a loose supervisory role? And it isn't like he created Silent Hill or Castlevania.

Konami's a big company with many talented people; it isn't going to topple like a house of cards over losing one person, no matter who they are.

[Neon Ignition]

I bet half the staff move off soon too as always seems to happen after these things. Konami has been sliding off the map for years so this is a big thing for them more so because they're losing key people in one of the few areas that actually delivers for them. Wouldn't at all be surprised to see a rough end to this gen for Konami whether Kojima has stayed or not.

[wakka]

Gutted about this. Truly the end of the MGS series.

Was sat on the bus home yesterday listening to the MGS2 theme and quietly sobbing into the person next to me.

[Dogg Thang]

Into their open mouth.

[fuse]

I see people online lamenting this, saying it spells doom for ZOE, Silent Hill and Castlevania.

Ugh, this makes me sad - the same people probably thought nothing when Igarashi or Yamaoka left the company! I love him dearly, but Kojima being roped into 'saving' Castlevania and the appointment of MercuryStream was the worst thing to happen to the series by far IMO.

[fishbowlhead]

Usually I'd agree with people that this wouldn't really affect konami. However, I would put Kojima above most producers in talent level and dedication to producing truly excellent products.

This will be a blow to konami more than it will Kojima.

[nakamura]

Ugh, this makes me sad - the same people probably thought nothing when Igarashi or Yamaoka left the company! I love him dearly, but Kojima being roped into 'saving' Castlevania and the appointment of MercuryStream was the worst thing to happen to the series by far IMO.

Bang. On.

[JU!]

I see people online lamenting this, saying it spells doom for ZOE, Silent Hill and Castlevania.

Seems daft. Metal Gear, I understand - it'll certainly lose something, but ZOE? Didn't Kojima only work on ZOE2 in a loose supervisory role? And it isn't like he created Silent Hill or Castlevania.

Konami's a big company with many talented people; it isn't going to topple like a house of cards over losing one person, no matter who they are.

I'm sorry but all Konami's output big IP wise has consisted of recently that I'm aware is Silent Hills, MGSV, PES2015. If there is talented people there that do not make the above games then Konami showed IP for it? I suppose we will see at E3?

Just to say I love PES and MGS plus Silent a hill is great. Their other big games like Castlevania are nowhere to be seen sadly.

[Asura]

I'm sorry but all Konami's output big IP wise has consisted of recently that I'm aware is Silent Hills, MGSV, PES2015. If there is talented people there that do not make the above games then Konami showed IP for it? I suppose we will see at E3?

Just to say I love PES and MGS plus Silent a hill is great. Their other big games like Castlevania are nowhere to be seen sadly.

I don't understand your post at all.

I'm trying to say that Kojima leaving doesn't necessarily mean Castlevania and Silent Hill will suddenly "stop" or become ****. Hell, sometimes the departure of a big persona allows other people at a company to shine and do bold, different things.

Silent Hill should've ended years ago anyway. It's daft that it's still going.

[Neon Ignition]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-20-konami-announces-plan-for-brand-new-metal-gear-solid-series

Konami is looking to set up a new team to work on the what would effectively be Metal Gear Solid 6, which they've effectively confirmed

[chopemon]

The key wording there is Metal Gear, not Metal Gear Solid. They say they are making a new Metal Gear series so it won't be Metal Gear Solid 6, it will be Metal Gear Something.

Maybe the adventures of young Solid Snake, a remake of the original Metal Gear games?

[Neon Ignition]

Like switching the name Opal Fruits to Starbursts, they'll probably cram a new name in there as though it's a new MG series but the games, Snake, play style etc are all too popular and lucrative for Konami to not make a standard follow up.