Physical evidence that creator/writer/director of Metal Gear Solid Hideo Kojima is slowly being removed from all things Metal Gear surface in the gaming community. Fans are outraged at how the creative spearhead is being treated by publisher Konami.
When Metal Gear V: The Phantom Pain was first released to the public, the top portion of the box maintained the phrase "A Hideo Kojima Game". Now, however, CraveOnline has revealed that the phrase on the top most portion of the box has been removed.
It appears that video game publisher Konami is slowly erasing all references to Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima, his development team Kojima Productions, and their Fox Engine technology. Kojima has previously noted that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be the last Metal Gear installment in which he will be involved in, even if the series would still continue.
The relationship between the two parties has reportedly been strained due to power struggle between the publisher and the creator. GameSpot revealed that the apparent dispute led to the restriction of corporate communications from the senior staff members. It further revealed that Kojima's contract with the publisher Konami will be ending in December of this year. Konami has since been removing traces of ties with Kojima Productions from all promotional products, including the official Metal Gear Solid Twitter account and the official Metal Gear Website.
Members of the senior staff including key developers Hideo Kojima now have limited access and opportunities to promote the studio's campaign for the upcoming game and have since been regulated to contractors instead of permanent employees. Konami Digital Entertainment has also released their augmentation of the senior staff effective last April 1.
As of now, the two parties have continued to promote the latest and possibly the last installment of the Metal Gear Saga. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be available to the public by September in PlayStation4, PlayStation3, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC versions.
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