Despite having recently claimed that Hideo Kojima still works for them and is merely “taking his vacation” after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has now reportedly shut down Kojima Productions’ LA studio, leaving an estimated 35 people out of a job.
The rumor was circulated by 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard, and was later seemingly confirmed by Sony producer Sam Thompson.
BREAKING: Rumor tells me that Konami has shut down the Kojima Productions LA studio, taking with it approx 35 jobs, just before Xmas.
— George Broussard (@georgeb3dr) November 3, 2015
Really sad news about the loss of Konami’s Los Angeles studio. Happy thoughts to all those affected. End of an era for sure, stay strong.
— Venice Beach Gandalf (@PortableKingpin) November 2, 2015
Konami insisted that Kojima was still an employee of the company back in October, though it has been widely speculated that the Metal Gear creator has severed ties with the publisher, to the point where it is almost unanimously believed that he is no longer on their payroll.
A report from the New Yorker claimed that Kojima had already held a “departure ceremony” at Kojima Productions’ Tokyo Studio, which led to Konami releasing the following statement:
“Currently, Kojima and the development team are finished developing Metal Gear Solid V and are taking a long time off from work.”
Hopefully at some point in the not-too-distant future we’ll have official confirmation from both parties that will give us some insight into exactly what is happening here, but until then it looks like we’ll just have to continue hearing reports through the grapevine of Konami steadily dismantling Kojima Productions.
