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Hideo Kojima Officially Departs Konami

Metal Gear Solid V

Hideo Kojima is no longer working at Konami, according to a report by weekly magazine The New Yorker.

The legendary developer had been expected to part ways with the studio following an acrimonious power struggle earlier in the year, but his official departure did not take place until October 9, according to the publication.

The news, though unsurprising, confirms the end of an era. Kojima had worked at Konami for over three decades, and was the visionary responsible for masterminding a number of successful franchises, the most popular of which being Metal Gear Solid.

The falling out between Konami and the developer’s Kojima Productions subsidiary reportedly took place during development on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which launched on September 1 to universal critical and commercial acclaim. It ultimately led to the cancellation of the studio’s Silent Hills reboot.

According to The New Yorker report, Kojima has a non-compete clause written into his Konami executive contract, which is expected to expire some time in December.