With the rumors propagating the internet over the past 24 hours regarding Hideo Kojima and his continued involvement with Konami, the duo have collectively issued a statement confirming our suspicions.
Kojima and Konami did not specifically address the former’s possible departure from the company but did its best to reassure fans that Kojima would not leave his upcoming title, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, behind in the dust. Below is the official statement from Konami regarding Kojima and Metal Gear Solid V in its entirety.
To Customers,
Thank you for your continued patronage of KONAMI products and services.
The latest title in the METAL GEAR series,“METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN” (below, “MGSV: TPP”), will be released as planned starting on Tuesday, September 1st, 2015 in North America, Latin America, and Europe, followed by Japan and Asia on Wednesday, September 2nd. Hideo Kojima will remain involved throughout.
Hideo Kojima stated, “I want to reassure fans that I am 100% involved and will continue working on METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN; I’m determined to make it the greatest game I’ve directed to date. Don’t miss it!”
In addition, KONAMI will continue to develop and distribute top-quality content in the METAL GEAR series following “MGSV: TPP.” We greatly anticipate and deeply appreciate your ongoing support for METAL GEAR.
As the next step in the series, KONAMI has already resolved to develop new “METAL GEAR”.
We will be conducting interviews for main staff to lead the development.