No one really knows what actually happening at Konami. Things were set ablaze a few weeks ago when a report suggested that designer Hideo Kojima would be leaving the publisher after the launch of The Phantom Pain. That wasn’t helped by Konami announcing a new Metal Gear project with a brand new team, which got fans all worried about the state of the upcoming sequel. Hell, some have even vowed to boycott it – which is a little silly.
Responding to some outcry over the state of The Phantom Pain, and threats to boycott it entirely, Snake’s Japanese voice actor, Akio Otsuka, has assured fans that the game has remained unaffected by the politics in Konami. Despite Kojima’s name being struck from the product, Otsuka explained that he’s still 100% involved, and that it isn’t changing.
“The TPP team is the same, so please don’t cancel preorders or encourage others not to buy it.”
Although cancelling pre-orders at this stage is a little short-sighted, it does show how damaging unclear communication can cause for Konami. And they really have no one else but themselves to blame at this point. They’ve been intentionally vague about this whole debacle, when a simple straight answer about the rumoured departure would certainly set a lot of minds at ease.
That, and I’m pretty sure the whole world is trying to figure out what’s going on with Silent Hills at this point too. Metal Gear Solid V is out on September 1st, with or without Kojima’s name on top.
Last Updated: April 9, 2015
RinceThis
April 9, 2015 at 21:26
Boycott them I say!
Ranting Raptor
April 10, 2015 at 07:00
Oh first world gamer problems. Gotta love it
Loftus
April 10, 2015 at 07:21
Seems like cutting off ones nose to spite your face.
Hammersteyn
April 10, 2015 at 07:52
Still buying this. But if Konami majes another without Hideo I’d think twice about it
Greylingad
April 10, 2015 at 09:03
Such a pity that Kojima’s been struck from it, but what can you do? Having done all of the work to this point he might as well just finish and hope for a massive severance package…
Goal9
April 10, 2015 at 09:27
I doubt Kojima pulling out now will affect the game much. Lord knows he’s sick of making MGS games and want to do different things.
I just dont know what the hell Konami is going to do now that their celebrity developer is leaving.
b1nd3r
April 10, 2015 at 15:46
isnt pirating the game also boycotting it? if so we should have a news feed like this every week on boycotted games -.-