Hideo Kojima, the creative director behind Metal Gear series, will leave Konami and the Metal Gear franchise following the release of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
The first hint at the departure came about earlier this week when Kojima's name and studio, Kojima Productions, were removed from all Metal Gear Solid 5 marketing material and from Konami's website. Around the same time, Kojima Production web site started redirecting its visitors to a Konami-owned Metal Gear portal and the studio's Twitter account was replaced by "Metal Gear Official."
Konami and Kojima were reluctant to shed more light on the situation, so Konami opted to issue a vague statement affirming that "Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products." Shortly after, Kojima himself assured fans of his continued involvement with Metal Gear Solid 5. "I want to reassure fans that I am 100 per cent involved and will continue working on Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain," he said. "I'm determined to make it the greatest game I've directed to date. Don't miss it!"
In the end, Konami was pressured to confirm that Metal Gear Solid 5 will be Kojima's last game with the studio. Konami also confirmed that a new Metal Gear title will be released afterwards with no involvement from Hideo Kojima. Interestingly enough though, Konami is still looking for a qualified technical director for the new game.
"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."
In an interview earlier this month, Kojima explained that "I always say 'this will be my last Metal Gear, but the games in the series that I've personally designed and produced - Metal Gear on MSX, MG2, MGS1, 2, 3, 4, Peace Walker, and now MGS5 - are what constitute a single Metal Gear Saga. With MGS5, I'm finally closing the loop on that saga. In that sense, this will be the final Metal Gear Solid."
"Even if the'Metal Gear franchise continues, this is the last 'Metal Gear."