so what really happened. the story so far seems to be that he angered some executive, and now they want him gone. the suddenness makes sense if that were the case.
Source (translated from this article in japanese)
Konami Spokesman: Kojima will continue being the director of the "Metal Gear" Series
Kojima Productions is affected by Konami's reorganization, and it reports that KojiPro's logo has been removed, twitter has been changed to metalgear_jp, and so on.
Kojima's retirement rumors spread globally, up to and including the revelation that Konami is looking for new staff to continue this series.
Many users have voiced their anxiety on the upcoming release MGSV:TPP, Game*Spark and Konami's Editorial Department has provided some answers:
Will Kojima Productions be disbanded?
Yes. All releases previously made under different studios will be centralized and coordinated from headquarters.
Will Kojima be leaving his position?
Kojima will remain the director of the "Metal Gear" series. He will continue to innovate with new ideas as creator.
What about talks of him stepping down as director? Are those true?
He is still one of our employees, and is continuing to work full-strength on "MGSV:TPP".
And is it true that he has been changed to a contract employee?
We cannot reveal private details.
Is it true that KojiPro's staff have restricted internet and e-mail access?
It is true that the reorganization has resulted in this. This is done in order to provide a greater development environment.
In that case, will Kojima be less available for interviews?
As a result, yes.
After seeing how Konami treated him and KojiPro team, I can't wait to see him going away for good, enough Konami. Problem is that now that KojiPro is no more, and he and his employers are still into Konami prison,Especially "We cannot reveal private details" and He is still one of our employees, and is continuing to work full-strength on "MGSV:TPP" shows they don't know or don't want to tell if Kojima will continue after TPP.
And to be honest I hope he leaves Konami and does his own thing, he earned it by now.
He should create his own studio and make what he wants to make.
I would never call that game garbage. It's one of the best action games to come out in recent years and Kojima himself supervised the development.it's just going to be a bunch of revengeance level garbage and people will eat it up
For someone who has never played an MGS, GZ is hard to recommend. Even if it's "only" $10. It's so damn short and although it's a prologue to TPP it's also an epilogue to Peace Walker. For a series fan for sure but for a newbie? I dunno.Ground Zeroes is on sale for $10. Any idea on whether or not it's worth picking up for someone who is looking forward to TPP but has never played a MGS game before?
Konami has removed all reference to Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima, and his development team Kojima Productions and their Fox Engine, from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain‘s box art.
If the vessel the anger is stored in is a person, and it's worn away by acid, then all you're left with is bone --like Skullface.Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. ~Mark Twain
I've seen this story in "serious" newspapers and on TV. Brilliant advertising.http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1031440
If it turns out to be true, that would be the most insane and awesome promotional campaign ever made.