Konami has moved to explain its decision to remove Kojima Productions branding from various video game products, including the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
As previously reported, all reference to the Japanese developer, headed by Hideo Kojima, has been removed from titles, as has Kojima-san’s name itself. And apparently, it’s all due to a “change in production organization,” says Konami.
“In accordance with the recent change in production organisation of all of Konami, Kojima Productions, as well as other internal production companies, has had its name, etc, changed to move into the corporate headquarters work structure,” the company said in a new statement.
Naturally director Kojima is playing the game, checking all the small details and giving directions to the staff as the title continues to completion,” added Konami. “Bringing the thoughts and ideas of director Kojima in an open world game of the size of MGSV is incredibly difficult, the director and the team that’s been there from the start are coming together as one as they aim to finish the game, so please give them the support they need.”
Interestingly, Kojima-san’s Twitter account has been silent since March 16, with his last message being ‘heading off’ accompanied by a screenshot of Snake boarding a chopper. Furthermore, the legendary developer’s Kojima Station podcast has also been put on hold.
A few days after rumors started breaking about an alleged bust-up between Kojima Productions and Konami, it was confirmed that the Japanese publisher and developer was on the hunt for new staff to work on a new Metal Gear series.
You can catch up on all the goings-on at Konami with our earlier story here.