Hideo Kojima feels “restricted” by Konami; wanted to do something new

GCO: "Last week, a source revealed that Konami plans to continue to Silent Hills without Kojima. However, those weren't the only shocking details the source revealed."

[DarkOcelet]

I think he will take Shinji Mikami route and make a studio of his own where his vision of the game he wants to make come true.

Its a shame that he might not finish Silent Hills :(

And i will be honest here when i say that i want to see him make another game again besides MGS. Although it will sorely missed.

[SaveFerris]

True. It is sad to think we may not see the Kojima/Del-Toro Silent Hills game.

With the types of games Kojima makes (Metal Gear, Zoe, Snatcher, Policenaunts), could he ever make a 'smaller' game?

[Redrum059]

Sony, for the love of God, please acquire Hideo Kojima . Make him a part of the playstation team if he does do solo.

[bmf7364]

Well, Sony did give him his big break, but I don't know how they would let Kojima go by if they acquired Kojima Productions.

[camel_toad]

@Redrum

As much as some may want Sony to pick up Kojima I think he's wanting to be his own boss (pun intended). Sony might give him free reign though so who knows.

[Reibooi]

Part of me wants to see him continue making big games but I also kinda wonder what he would make with a much smaller budget. I mean the man is incredibly creative and he could easily do something amazing with almost nothing.

That said I so wish he was not leaving as I am willing to bet Silent Hills may get cancelled. Even if it doesn't everyone will likely wonder what his version of the game was going to be.

I guess at the end of the day as long as he is making great games we win.

[DonFreezer]

It's funny how some people wish Kojima to join Sony. Sony is not in a financial state to grab such talent.

[NecotheSergal]

@DonFreezer - You have 1 Bubble for a reason I see.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

PT demo was the most refreshing horror game I've played in years. I was so pumped for Silent Hills and to think that may not happen now actually makes me feel gutted.

[UltraNova]

Tell me about it..

I was showing it to an MGS die-hard friend of mine yesterday and he was left literally speechless.

I helped him finish the demo as the last loop is insanely hard to solve, and watched him as Norman Reedus turned around..."Oh man are you f***** kidding me its the dude from Walking D!" he said.

Then the credits rolled...'Hideo Kojima'... he stopped talking and grabbed his mouth...I thought he choked or something..until the SIlent Hills logo appeared and he exploded! ahahahha it was funny as shit and very eyeopening to see the extent of the influence and following Hideo Kojima has.

I trust him too and I hope he ends up where he wants and start making his next mind-blowing milestone.

For now lets enjoy the last true MGS come September.

[Xman2K]

I don't know, the man shows a passion for MGS like everyday. He puts so much into the series that he really seems to care for the series much more than this article makes you believe. The man lives, eats and breathes MGS on his own accord, if he hadn't? We would've seen a decline in the creativity of the series a long time ago. I still think the guy wanted some time off after V and needs an excuse to collaborate or ride off until he comes up with 6 on the next console generation. For now this would be an excuse if the next MG doesn't live up to Kojima standards.

[s45gr32]

You're talking about MG 2 Solid Snake. A metal gear game not made by Hideo Kojima which turned out utter garbage. As for MGS 6, I don't see it, what I see is a new ip from Hideo Kojima.

[tmh3593]

after this i will never buy another konami game again. this is bull

[pwnsause_returns]

The thing with metal gear is, he's done. You look,at that metal gear timeline,,he doesn't have to do much with it anymore, at that point, he should of just have been given the green light to create a new ip, something bigger than metal gear. It's just too bad that konami doesn't understand, this could be their biggest mistake ever.... Especially from a developer of high calibur

[RedPyramidThing]

This whole incident has put a bad taste in my mouth, going to skip TPP and all future konami titles. Silent Hills, we hardly knew ye.

[showtimefolks]

come to sony and get all the freedom while getting big budgets for your games. That's where your most loyal fanbase is

but whatever you do, i will always support your games. Sad day for Konami and Japanese publishers in general.

sega
capcom

what have you become, so much of the talent has left these publishers to join western publishers

[ritsuka666]

The guy has been trying to get away from MGS for a decade or so now. He is always reeled back in and probably FORCED to do another and another and another crap MGS from Konami. That's suck really.

[Timesplitter14]

Suddenly everything makes sense. This is why kojima has been saying every MGS would be his last since MGS2. Everyone thought it was just Kojima trolling as usual but in reality it was konami forcing him

They have all been amazing games though

[CaptainObvious878]

*glass shatters in brain*

You're right. That's most likely exactly why he kept making MGS games and after he kept saying "this will be the last one".

[Malice-Flare]

i disagree, all of them have been good. but, it's time for him to do something else...

[Gamingcapacity]

Another crap MGS?

MGS 1,2,3,4 are all really good. MGS:TPP looks to also be good. I like how the story is going and we already know that the gameplay is going to be awesome from GZ.

[Xman2K]

Heck he made PeaceWalker and that was for his kid, and it was excellent. The man was not tired of MGS he maybe just wants to end on a high note

[Gamingcapacity]

Kojima clearly still has passion for MGS but I think he also wants to try something else, something different and Konami are probably restricting him a little.

[Sevir]

The man has been attached to MGS for 30 years... He entire time practically working at Konami. It really is time for him to get away and Perdue his own goals and dreams. It's also safe to say that his next game won't be out for a long while. I feel that Konami is going to keep the Fox engine. Just a shame, I was really looking forward to The new silent hill game with Del-Toro and Norman R.

[LightDiego]

Kojima probably will create a movie someday.

[zsquaresoff]

If he was restricted while making his games, I hope that restriction didn't apply to Mgs5.

[maniacmayhem]

I think the restriction they he's referring to is only being able to work on Metal Gear Solid and not another franchise or create a new IP.

[WeirdShroom]

Silent Hills is amazing because it's Silent Hill + Del Toro + Reedus + Kojima. Kojima is actually the least painful deduction from that grouping. Now for Metal Gear....his leaving will be a big deal, but not SH.

[styferion]

what are you even talking about?

In that combination Kojima plays the most crucial part, gameplay department. See P.T ? There's no Reedus in the gameplay and no story/cinematic for Del Toro to direct, pure gameplay and people praised it highly, how can it be the least painful deduction?

[Arkardo]

Hahahaha this guy is a joke, Kojima the least painful reduction?

A gamer has to read some stupid things along his life but this got to be one of the most idiotic reasoning ever.

[styferion]

hey check it out, that weirdshroom guy seriously take the effort to PM me, somehow turning this into console war and throwing insults everywhere just for the sake of defending that full-of-disagree comment.
this happening to you too?

I kinda want to screenshot the hilarious PM just to know what his reactions are..

Oh, dear, internet is amazing isn't it.

[rezzah]

Del Toro is for the story, the dialogue (I wonder if Kojima is or was a part of this too). Reedus is for voice acting and imagery. Kojima, as styferion stated, the gameplay.

Of the 3, the one that stood out the most was Kojima's part of the project. The man murdering his family story (the radio) was likely Del Toro"s addition to the demo, if at all.

Reedus only allowed his image to be portrayed.

Now if you say the story of the man and his family is what captured you the most, even over gameplay, then you can say that the lack of Kojima's presence in the game may lightly effect your enjoyment or you may not care at all.

To me what matters is the mixture of gameplay with the story. If both are equally good then the level of immersion will be greater. This balance will falter if Kojima isn't present.

[MysticStrummer]

Those shrooms are really taking a toll.

[tanukisuit]

I really don't think Mr. Kojima has to worry. He has several options at the moment:

- Nintendo/Microsoft/Sony/Valve might "court him"
- Other third-party developers/publishers may approach him
- He can create his own studio
- Or, just on his name/status alone, he can try at Kickstarter
- Lastly, if AAA projects aren't working out more, there's always the indie scene.

[cemelc]

Valve?

Since when valve has shown any interest in him?

They barely make games these days, the last one was dota 2?

[SaveFerris]

Kojima to direct Half-Life 3 /s

[Yi-Long]

Kojima is finally free >>> free = 3 >>> Half-Life 3 confirmed!!!

[tanukisuit]

I just wanted to be inclusive of everyone, in case anyone accuses me of being bias, lol.

[solid_snake3656]

I hope he stays far away from Nintendo. They'll probably have him work on the next Mario or one of their other played out worn out franchises.

[pwnsause_returns]

Well his games dont really suit Nintendo in a sense. His games have a maturity focus. although gameplay wise he would be a big asset there, which would work for ninty, But again, he would be restricted like konami.

His best option is to make his own game studio, and get funding for his next game via a kickstarter or by luring Sony/microsoft into funding it.

[JLynn943]

There's no real reason to think that though. Look what they've allowed Itagaki to do. By his account, he has had total freedom and is making a game that by no means looks like a "typical" Nintendo game. I think that they are smart enough that they would give Kojima that same freedom.

[Kumomeme]

well at positive side,i hope he and remaining upper management of kojima production could form brand new studio like sakaguchi's mist walker

there lot more freedom being independent...look what sakaguchi done with mist walker...i hope he follow that path

[SaveFerris]

He could definitely form his own studio, but it would be a sad day to see Kojima making mobile games.

[cemelc]

Serious question, what has he done?

I remember the 360 rpg game, anything else?

[BVFTW]

Some good games like The Last Story on the Wii, one of the most successful titles published by Xseed you know.

[RedPyramidThing]

FF I-VI, Lost Odyssey, The Last Story

[PS4isKing_82]

Just imagine if around e3 in June we hear a statement reading something like "Kojima productions staff to join Sony worldwide studios following departure from konami digital entertainment"

Wonder what kind of reactions there'd be lol :)

[jairusmonillas]

It's highly possible, I'm sure Sony is looking in for his services.

[dota2champion]

Sony couldn't afford Kojima

[Sevir]

Lmao! Sony and PS made Hideo Kojima famous. Sony can more than afford Kojima. they afforded MGS4 when the PS3 was bleeding money.

In any case, I think the likelihood of Kojima going with a parent company is slim. His issues with konami may have forced him to simply form his own Independent Studio once his contract lapses. And platform holders will pay top dollar to have him and his studios work with them. Especially MS since they've been thirsty in trying to court him. They've had him several E3s trying to associate MGS with XB, and somehow Sony still gets the better deal.

It's just a wait and see Kinda thing!

[soniqstylz]

Sony wouldn't be aquiring his IPs, just the talent, lot cheaper that way. And considering the long leash they give talent at SCEJ, I'm sure he could do whatever he wanted. But I'm sure MS will back up the money truck as well in order to get a better foothold in Japan, and Asia in general.

[RedPyramidThing]

Maybe he could consult w/ Team Siren? A man can dream :)

[spacedelete]

wow Konami treating the person who made them alot of money like his trash. very disrespectful to a legend in the industry. with Kojima and MGS what do they actually have ? other than PES i can't think of anything.

[Protagonist]

It would be interesting to see him doing a Kickstarter project.

[THC CELL]

maybe Sony will nab him and give him freedom he wants

[MEGANE]

I wish that japan studio gets him or sony supports kojima and make give him his own studio! Like EA with West and Zappella

[urwifeminder]

Cardboard box sim incoming.

[Tapani]

I hope he makes a playstation exclusive title again! :)

[DragoonPoon]

Why would you want him to make a game that other people can't play? Even for a fanboy, that's a ridiculously selfish thing to want.

[Tapani]

I just think that exclusive games are always better than multiplats. So, I don't mind an Xbox One exclusive either. Finally, I could play Halo collection too! I just buy these consoles for exclusives, because they push the boundaries of game design and there seems to be some extra magic about them. Maybe developers even like to work safely under MS, Sony or Nintendo, and that teamwork somehow generates better games?

I don't understand and know anything about that "fanboy" -nonsense.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

He can take full advantage of the console. Don't have to worry about porting and you get the full push of the console maker.

[Biohazard8860]

Sigh Silent hills is dead without Kojima... i was so damn hyped for a good silent hill game.

[ScorpiusX]

Then he should leave and form his own studio so he is never restricted by others but himself.

[masa2009]

This article is shallow and speculative.
They say that Konami "gave" Castlevania to Kojima to offer him a diversion from Metal Gear, yet Mercury Steam devs have admitted that Kojima did almost nothing on the game.

Kojima's name was probably largely used as a name drop by Konami to lend credibility to their reboot with a little known Spanish studio at the helm.

They probably told him "Go to Spain, pose for a few pictures, shake a few hands, and quickly come back and work on the game that's actually gonna make us a mountain of money: Metal Gear!"

[Ryan741]

Microsoft should acquire him, would be a great addition to the Xbox brand.

[AshleeEmerson]

...Nope

[MEGANE]

I dont k whats worse, MS buying a studio or paying for an exclusive!

[Delsin_Rowe]

Rare die after being acquire by Xbox. NaughtyDog became NaughtyGod after being acquired by PlayStation.

[fitfox]

sony should give him a blank check to work on what ever he wants.

[Kalebninja]

Seriously, someone needs to snatch this guy up.

[Majin-vegeta]

Sony should try to aquire him and then go after the SH Ip and continue letting him work on it.

[jznrpg]

Konami should've let Kojima do his thing after 30 years. There are only a few out of the box thinkers that make games , him and Swery65 are 2 of my favorites.
I look forward to whatever he works on in th3 future.

[UNKLE]

Kojima always wanted to do multiplatform game thats why he never go for sony or ms exclusive, he remain multiplatform or he done with vgames, he always wanted to make movies and he wanted to be a producer.

[mochachino]

Guess he didn't want to make MGS games the rest of his life.

[PoSTedUP]

i respect his choice, he is the smartest man in the gaming industry atm.

[SaveFerris]

I wonder who would do better in Mastermind. Mark Cerny, Corrinne Yu, or Hideo Kojima?

[mochachino]

Who cares, what's the test for best game developers...hint, it isn't mastermind or any other known test. It's games. Kojima is a genius game developer. I wouldn't care if he couldn't put two and two together, he's a master at his art.

[ICANPLAYGAMES2]

Wouldn't mind seeing him lend his star power credentials to Nintendo I would like to see his vision of some of their franchises. Plus, I can only imagine what he could bring gameplay-wise to the Wii U gamepad or whatever their NX system is (even if it's a bit late).

[Scatpants]

Yeah, a Kojima Princess Peach game would be epic.

[DevilishSix]

Good for you Kojima, I look forward to seeing your future ideas.

[TekKing]

In other words Kojima wants to make mobile games.

[Edito]

I think this step took very long... glad to see him going his own path his very brilliant to stick and die in the MGS universe.

[Scatpants]

I think Silent Hills will be fine. I'm sure since they have already begun making assets for the game that much of it has already been planned out and written. They don't make up these things as they go along. I'm not sure what stage in development it's at right now, but I would assume it's fairly far along.

[Ken85]

Its a work.

[NeoGamer232]

Infinity Ward went from top developer for Call of Duty to 3rd of 3 studios for Call of Duty...

Bungie left Microsoft, yet Halo is still doing great...

I am sure that Kojima leaving MGS will not leave it in total shambles. MGS is based on a great storyline and there is plenty of content to create and extend within it.

As for Kojima, we will now learn how good he really is when he goes his own way. Personally, I think he is a great and creative person, but I don't think he is as brilliant as people put him out to be. And I think his team is poor at planning as they always fail to deliver new games within the timelines they initially talk about.

[s45gr32]

I agree nor disagree, but his games need editing. Sadly after MGS 5. There's two options left, one remake the first two metal gears or a game on how Raiden rescued Sunny from the patriots. Apart from that the MGS series is done. I also want to mention that the issue Kojima has is editing when it comes to its videogame writing and cutscenes. He made the Zone of the Ender series which is pretty badass. Damn it my PS3 can't play PS2 games (slim PS3) and my PS2 is dead . But we will see his next game via kickstarter.

[WitWolfy]

You can buy ZOE HD for a pretty modest price on PSN if you really wanna play the game on your PS3.

[NeoGamer232]

I doubt kickstarter would be the route he takes...

First, with his track record of delays, he probably wouldn't get the cash necessary to make a AAA game.

Second, I think there are a lot of large publishers that would be willing to sign him for big bucks.

[Enigma_2099]

well, if there is any truth to this, he'll be going independent soon enough.

[zugdar]

That'll happen when your the sole bread winner of an entire company (or at least a large part of it)

[DoggyBiscuit]

I'm glad he leaving Konami, now he can blossom like a butterfly

[s45gr32]

I get the feeling we gamers may see Hideo Kojima (MGS former badass director) next game via kickstarter.

[WitWolfy]

Kojima please finish Silent Hills first then quit.. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!

[Jayfatyboombaty]

I think it's bad, especially because my favorite horror series of all time Silent Hill may be kind of in trouble. However, I do think that Silent Hill specifically should be ok because they were probably at least a year and a half into production when they made it. I suspect the game will still be on target and likely come out October of next year.