Konami will continue creating Metal Gear games with or without Kojima

Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami will not deter the company from continuing to develop games for the series. Yesterday, a peculiar set of events revealed that Hideo Kojima and Konami will not continue their relationship.

Kojima's name was removed from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain; his name was disassociated with social accounts; and he was removed from his Executive position in the company. The fate of the Metal Gear series and the production of Silent Hills had suddenly become unclear.

Looking to clear the air, Konami released a statement saying that Kojima would "remain involved" in the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and the company would continue development without him on future games. As if to add insult to injury, the company even detailed that they would be conducting auditions for someone to take his role.

Check out the full statement from Konami (Japan):

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 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.

If you have any questions or concerns, please submit an inquiry via the "Contact Us" page.

What do you think of Konami moving forward in the series without Kojima?

Update — Konami (USA) released a similar statement, except with a comment from Kojima:

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!"

[Konami]

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