Add another big tally to the “Not A Ruse” side. Major Japanese news outlet Nikkei is not only confirming that Kojima has left Konami, but that he’s already opening a new studio and talking with Sony about exclusivity rights. Polygon relayed the info like this:
According to Nikkei, Kojima is establishing a new studio and is in talks with PlayStation maker Sony Computer Entertainment.
In October, The New Yorker reported that Kojima was leaving Konami and that his non-compete clause would end in December. Konami refuted the report, saying that Kojima was still an employee.
Kojima’s relationship with Konami began to show strain in March, when the publisher announced a corporate restructuring and removed Kojima Productions’ branding from Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain promotional materials. The following month, Konami canceled Kojima’s collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, Silent Hills, suggesting further turmoil. Later, in July, Kojima Productions was reportedly disbanded.
Polygon has reached out to Konami for comment on Nikkei’s report and will update with any new details.
We need the official Konami response so that we can hopefully let go of the painful feeling and begin the healing process. I’d make an MGSV reference, but right now it’s more of an open wound than a “phantom pain”. I’m reminded of the tweet Kojima made about letting go and moving forward…
This was translated by @JunkerHQNet here.