Akio Otsuka confirms Kojima Productions has disbanded

http://gematsu.com/2015/07/solid-snake-japanese-voice-actor-kojima-productions-disbanded

Akio Otsuka, the Japanese voice actor for Snake in the Metal Gear Solid series, wrote out a heartfelt goodbye to Kojima Productions on Twitter today.

“Kojima Productions was forced to disband, but it appears that the work that the team has been putting their utmost effort into is nearly complete,” Otsuka said in a tweet. “I’m not exaggerating when I say that I expect it will become their greatest masterpiece. I couldn’t help it. I just wanted to say ‘Kept you waiting, huh?’ (Laughs.) But even if this is the end, Metal Gear Solid is immortal!”

We don’t know the fate of the Kojima Productions staff after work on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is complete. In fact, this is probably the most official statement we’ve gotten about the company’s status. Prior to this, reports citing sources from within the studio claimed Kojima Productions’ senior staff are working on Metal Gear Solid V as contractors, rather than permanent employees, and founder Hideo Kojima plans to leave alongside upper management when their contract expires in December.

Damn. These are sad times. I wonder what Kojima will be up to next? I still can't believe they canceled Silent Hills. That's just wrong.

This whole debacle is one of the most bizarre and upsetting things I've ever seen happen in this industry.

It's like the story of MGS V directly represents what's happened to Konami's best asset. They'll probably cut his cherry tree down in LA too. Kojima really pissed someone with some pull off there.

Let's hope it doesn't take Kojima 9 years for another game.

I say that I expect it will become their greatest masterpiece.."

Sounds like they'll go out with a bang at least.

Sounds good, finally he can work on something other than Metal Gear !!! :D

Hope Kojima works on a survival horror game next. its too bad that hes leaving Fox Engine behind, his own creation to Konami which they'll use for their yearly rehashes and sub par games. They are nothing without him.

Don't be surprise when he starts making a kickstarter project

I doubt he will go to kickstarter.. I think another company will hire him.. Kojima is like a national treasure amongst game developers. It would be a complete waste for him to start creating low budget indie games.

You can tell he has put everything he had in MGS5. The passion has been real with this game. He will certainly go out with a bang.

Depressing times indeed.

@SolidTy: totally agree. This is very sad news for Metal gear fans everywhere (myself included). From what I've seen of MGS:V, it has potential of being one the best , if not THE best, in the series.

I really fear for the franchise's future though. Konami is bound to screw up its legacy without Kojima at the helm.

Pretty messed up how it has all come to this. At least it seems MGSV will be a great send-off. I hope someone will get Kojima back on track, unless he wants to do something else.

Memories.

Losing Silent Hills genuinely makes me want to cry.

I really would like a "tell all" book, video or podcast at some point, explaining just what the hell happened at Konami.

I still maintain that Microsoft bought Kojima Productions (with Kojima), as well as the Fox Engine, and the P.T. game, and that thats the real reason behind all of this, and we're going to hear about it very soon (Gamescom?)

Prepared to get owned. I regret nothing.

Kojima deserves better than Konami.

Of all the studios to close down this one probably hurts the most.

What a crappie way to start the day.

I hope Metal Gear turns out to be very nice. Thank you.

If anyone gets surprised by that , they were born yesterday.

It seems that MGSV has already been finalized as a game. So don't think it will affect that title in particular. Going forward though, don't be so hyped for MGSVI :(

A lot of you all act like you didn't know for sure that Kojima and Konami disbanded. It's been known for quite some time, along with the cancelling of Silent Hills. I'm depressed about this as much as everyone else though, but i have a feeling Kojima will carry on and make great games again.

Ya seems the last game I buy published by Konomi will be MGS V. So weird watching a parent company literally destroy and disband it's only remaining foot in the gaming industry that actually does anything worth while. I wonder how long this company will be able to live off gambling machines based off their owned characters, since sometime down the line people won't give a shit about those characters, and without any talent to make more, it will be hard pressed to keep that going as a viable long term option.

But then again I don't understand these Japanese companies. So many are literally just failing due to age, and no new blood at the helm.

Konami's downfall in the video game industry will be written about for years to come.

So far, I believe Square Enix did the right move of merging with Eidos to keep themselves a float. The majority of these Japanese publishers dropping like this is nuts! What's really hurting them?

either he strikes on his own or some pub is going to scoop him up quick. my bet is he goes out on his own and gets a 10 year contract from some pub.

Goddamn. MGS 5 is gonna be so good though. The anti-MGS4. Me gusta.

Haha

Oh man.

I'd love to see Kojima go entirely independent and create his own developer version of outer heaven. I'm sure a combination of kickstarter and paypal could lead to big numbers. Kojima is a huge name.

you will see him soon on kickstarter

The fox engine is going to go to complete waste, it's a damn shame.

This is really sad.

Even though this is extremely unlikely, my gut tells me he's going to make a movie.

Big fan btw. Good luck, Kojima. We'll miss your genius approach.

I've been thinking the exact same thing for a while now, all he has to do is come forward and ask people for money because he is working on a new game and millions of dollars will simply flow in.

HOOOHOHOHOHO Sooon PC will have him as a developer. He will open an indie studio, launch a kickstarter, start developing games for PC....but don´t worry consolites - he will probably include you too in his stretch goals LOL

Yes, I hope this becomes his Magnum Opus (or close to it), but I also fear with Kojima and his team's departure he may have left some ideas on the floor, perhaps in anger or lack of time due to his impending departure...I hope for the former of course. Also, I fear about any post online support with patches or DLC will be affected as well.

I agree, I too am apprehensive of the MGS franchise future.

I have the C.E. reserved so, I'm definitely pretty stoked overall though. :P

Everyone acting like Konami is finished seems to forget their biggest cash cow is probably Pro Evo.

Konami will be fine. It's about time they scout some new talent their anyway. They'd become a bit complacent relying on Kojima.

I think that creative freedom is something he has wanted for a long time. Let's hope that he comes back swinging.

Oh and, forgive my language, but **** Konami.

Can he even do something that isn't Metal Gear?

@ten_pints: Zone of the Enders...

...and oh yeah, F U Konami!

What a shame. best game director of all time to leave the best game studio of all time. I hope Konami shit gets reduced to dust. crappy ass company anyways.

At least this means they'll put 110% effort in MGSV: Phantom Pain, so we can look forward to an 11/10 game