Hideo Kojima “will remain involved throughout” the development of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, Konami has said.
Details on whether the developer will leave the company following the game’s release in September – or whether his employment has already shifted to contract work – remain unclear.
“Thank you for your continued patronage of KONAMI products and services,” a statement released by Konami this morning reads.
“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 1, 2015 in North America, Latin America, and Europe, followed by Japan and Asia on Wednesday, September 2. Hideo Kojima will remain involved throughout.”
The statement goes on to announce that a new “Metal Gear” title will be developed by Konami following The Phantom Pain’s release and that it will be “conducting auditions for main staff to lead the development”, suggesting Kojima and Kojima Productions may not be behind the new title.
It was rumoured yesterday that Kojima was to leave the company later this year following a “fallout” with Konami. Konami has also removed Kojima’s name and the Kojima Productions logo from various Metal Gear Solid branding.
Source: konami-digital-entertainment.co.jp
