Konami and Hideo Kojima issued a joint statement yesterday in the hopes of quieting down rumors that the developer will leave the company after the completion of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Unfortunately, what wasn’t said by either side has overshadowed any firefighting they attempted to do.
In the statement, Kojima said that he is “100% involved” in the development of The Phantom Pain and that his goal is “to make it the greatest game [he’s] directed to date.” However, Kojima did not address rumors that he is leaving Konami and no mention was made of Silent Hills, his upcoming collaboration with director Guillermo Del Toro.
Konami reiterated Kojima’s stance and said he will “remain involved [with The Phantom Pain] throughout.” Like Kojima, the publisher did not go into details on what the developer’s future with the company will be. A few weeks ago, Kojima said he considers The Phantom Pain the “final” Metal Gear game and that he won’t design any future entries in the series. The developer has made this claim before, but it looks like Konami believes him this time as the publisher officially announced an untitled new game in the franchise that won’t have Kojima at the helm. A hiring push to find people to fill out the new Metal Gear team has already begun.
Whatever happens, both parties agree that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will launch as scheduled on September 1. The full text of their joint statement can be found after the break.
Notification Regarding Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
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.
