The Death of Konami (as a game company?) Kojima and Staff Leaving by end of year.

[Meian]

Can't say I exactly understand the initial statement followed by Konami's. Guessing it was just restructuring and there is no doom regarding Kojima?

Other than MGS, I don't know shit about Konami other than Gradius.

Mouryou Senki Madara! But that was a long time ago, wish there were more games on it.

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon may be more familiar to you, also classic XD

[Elcura]

But what about ZoE?! Please tell me Kojima owns ZoE I've been waiting too goddamn long please don't ruin my dreams.

[Katlan]

so apparently Konami is hiring people for a new MGS series LOL. I would do a link but the source shall not be named.

please no. it will suck and not be the same

[Cichy]

Kojima is MGS the fuck they thinking

[Kaslo]

Other than MGS, I don't know shit about Konami other than Gradius.

Suikoden Suikoden Suikoden.

[Antithesis]

I'm still waiting for this to be a giant publicity stunt and troll from Kojima even if it is unlikely.

You might not be far off:

http://metagearsolid.org/2015/03/koj...e-from-konami/

Also, for those worried about MGS without Kojima, you can look up Metal Gear Acid 1 & 2 and Portable Ops for evidence of what MGS would look like without him.

Spoiler: it's pretty much the same but less charming and engaging.

[Minions]

https://www.konami.com/news/mgsvnotice/

This site is basically being crushed at the moment.

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.

There it is; Kojima is leaving clearly. Anyone who thinks it is some kind of trick is wrong. Shit sucks.

[Waraji]

[Anoat]

THIS will be what I associate with Konami, until my last day on earth.

[Minions]

There is also this little tidbit... no idea if legit.

http://www.reddit.com/r/metalgearsol...e_this/cpl3rcr

A supposed translation

Konami Spokesman: Director Kojima will continue being the director of the "Metal Gear" Series



Kojima Productions is affected by Konami's reorganization, and it reports that KojiPro's logo has been removed, twitter has been changed to @metalgear_jp, and so on.

Kojima's retirement rumors spread globally, up to and including the revelation that Konami is looking for new staff to continue this series.



Many users have voiced their anxiety on the upcoming release MGSV:TPP, Game*Spark and Konami's Editorial Department has provided some answers:

Will Kojima Productions be disbanded?

Yes. All releases previously made under different studios will be centralized and coordinated from headquarters.



Will Kojima be leaving his position?

Kojima will remain the director of the "Metal Gear" series. He will continue to innovate with new ideas as creator.



What about talks of him stepping down as director? Are those true?

He is still one of our employees, and is continuing to work full-strength on "MGSV:TPP".



And is it true that he has been changed to a contract employee?

We cannot reveal private details.



Is it true that KojiPro's staff have restricted internet and e-mail access?

It is true that the reorganization has resulted in this. This is done in order to provide a greater development environment.



In that case, will Kojima be less available for interviews?

As a result, yes.

[6souls]

Takayuki Fujii (No More Heroes / Frogger 3D) left a few months ago.

http://gematsu.com/2014/12/tak-fujii-leaves-konami

Also Tak Fujii..... end of last year...
http://www.destructoid.com/well-i-ll...i-285087.phtml

What do you have against my Gematsu link?

[Not Kuno]

[6souls]

Kojima Station's show not to be aired this week (ever again?)

To everyone who usually watches Kojima Station, thank you. The broadcast scheduled for March 26 at 20:00 has been cancelled due to various circumstances. Nevertheless, we apologize to those who were looking forward to it. As for the next broadcast, we will share more information as soon as it’s decided.

http://gematsu.com/2015/03/kojima-st...cast-this-week
http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/station/jp/#info

The show usually airs once every 3 weeks where Hideo will give an update on his projects.

Also, this is generally overlooked, but Hideo said back in March 2013 that this Metal Gear would be his final Metal Gear title that he would be working on.

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/8...jima-interview

[Ayn]

I blame the LaLiLuLeLo

[Auspice]

Also, this is generally overlooked, but Hideo said back in March 2013 that this Metal Gear would be his final Metal Gear title that he would be working on.

Gee, I don't think he's EVER said that before. . .

Nope, never.

[Kirin]

Kojima Station's show not to be aired this week (ever again?)

http://gematsu.com/2015/03/kojima-st...cast-this-week
http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/station/jp/#info

The show usually airs once every 3 weeks where Hideo will give an update on his projects.

Also, this is generally overlooked, but Hideo said back in March 2013 that this Metal Gear would be his final Metal Gear title that he would be working on.

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/8...jima-interview

Time to go Pirate Radio.

Kojima's last MGS is about as often as Miyazaki's last film though.

/v/ is currently doing the same card they did for Iwata when he was ill.

It is really blowing my mind how one corporate entity can be so dismissive of their top talent and think it is ok not to find a middle ground in whatever disagreement they had.

[Minions]

Time to go Pirate Radio.

Kojima's last MGS is about as often as Miyazaki's last film though.

/v/ is currently doing the same card they did for Iwata when he was ill.

It is really blowing my mind how one corporate entity can be so dismissive of their top talent and think it is ok not to find a middle ground in whatever disagreement they had.

At this point they are no longer just a gaming company.... they are mainly a coin-op pachinko company.... that also occasionally makes video games. Kinda like how Microsoft really does not care if Xbox is profitable.... as it is not really where they make their money.

[Waraji]

Kinda like how Microsoft really does not care if Xbox is profitable.... as it is not really where they make their money.

Right, they make it off charging for xbox live for the past 10 years.

[Qalbert]

Deck13 (Lords of the Fallen) are apparently pursuing Kojima to be the new head of game design, lol.

[Cichy]

lol they would have to sell entire Poland to sponsor Kojimas vision