For the longest time ever, Hideo Kojima and Konami have worked side-by-side producing Metal Gear Solid titles. However it seems that apparently due to a change in how Konami was being run, Kojima got the boot and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain turned out to be his last game with the company and possibly the franchise.
However it seems that there is no love lost between both Kojima and Konami because at The Game Awards, Kojima was not present when Metal Gear Solid V was presented an award. For those wondering why, host and organizer Geoff Keighley revealed that this was because Konami had apparently “banned” Kojima from attending the show.
According to Keighley, “As you noticed, Hideo Kojima is not here with us tonight and I want to tell you a little bit about that. Mister Kojima had every intention of being with us tonight but unfortunately he was informed by a lawyer representing Konami just recently that he would not be allowed to travel to tonight’s awards ceremony to accept any awards.”
He went on to add, “He’s on an employment contract. And it’s disappointing and it’s inconceivable to me that an artist like Hideo would not be allowed to come here and celebrate with his peers and his fellow team-mates.” In the meantime you can watch Keifer Sutherland accepting the award on Kojima’s behalf in the video above.