Konami is seeking “key staff” to work on a “new Metal Gear series” that will follow after the release of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
In a press release posted on Konami’s Japanese website (translated by Google), the publisher announced plans to “embark on production of a new ‘Metal Gear’ series” following this September’s release and that it would “begin the audition of key staff” upon production.
VideoGamer.com has requested an official English language version of the post from a Konami UK representative.
The post follows rumours yesterday that Metal Gear Solid director Hideo Kojima and key staff at Kojima Productions are to exit the company after work on The Phantom Pain is completed following a “fallout” with Konami. A restriction on communications is said to have been enforced at the developer with Kojima and other staff allegedly now serving as contractors rather than full-time employees.
Konami has also scrubbed Kojima’s name and removed the Kojima Productions logo from Metal Gear Solid branding.
“Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products,” a Konami representative told VideoGamer.com yesterday. “Please look forward to future announcements.”
UPDATE: Konami has released an English language version of the press release:
“Thank you for your continued patronage of KONAMI products and services,” it 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.
“In addition, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. 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 a new ‘METAL GEAR’ title. We will be conducting auditions for main staff to lead the development.
“Interested parties are encouraged to contact us to via the recruitment page of the KONAMI official website. If you have any questions or concerns, please submit an inquiry via the ‘Contact Us’ page.”
Source: konami.jp
