Video game developer and publisher Konami denied an earlier report by The New Yorker that Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima had left Konami. Konami stated that “Kojima is currently taking an extended vacation, and is currently still registered as an employee.”

konami01.png (1)In a phone inquiry with The Huffington Post, Konami stated that “The newest game in the [Metal Gear Solid] series shipped in September, so the development team, including Kojima, are currently taking an extended vacation.” In response to The Huffington Post’s inquiry of whether Kojima had already resigned and was only going on paid leave, Konami denied that Kojima had resigned. The company said, “In cases of big titles that are developed over many years like Metal Gear Solid, taking long vacations after the game has shipped is normal.”

Konami UK Community Manager Graham Day previously stated in an interview in September that “the Metal Gear brand will continue,” even without Kojima.

An anonymous source within Konami claimed in March that Kojima would leave Konami after completing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, with Kojima’s contract with Konami allegedly ending in December. Konami stated later that same month that Kojima Productions and other internal companies have had their names changed as part of Konami‘s restructuring.

The phrase “A Hideo Kojima Game” was also removed from the game titles on Konami America’s Metal Gear Solid page and when Konami restructured in March, Kojima was no longer listed as the “Executive Content Officer” of Konami.

Kojima previously stated that he will consider Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain as the lastMetal Gear Solid title.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain shipped for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC in the United States and Europe on September 1, followed by Japan on September 2.

[Via Hachima Kikō]

Update: Simon Parkin, the writer of The New Yorker article, posted this photograph on Tuesday:

[Via Yaraon!]

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