Kojima Productions Says Report Of Founder’s Firing From Konami Is “Categorically False”

While there has always been a significant amount of speculation regarding the falling out between Konami and its former golden boy and Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima, much of what transpired between the two parties remains shrouded in mystery.

The core of this speculation has for the most part revolved around monetary issues within the studio, such as the rumor that Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain had gone significantly over its allotted budget. Now, a recent report has suggested that Kojima’s mistreatment from Konami was due to his pulling funds out of The Phantom Pain’s budget to create the ill-fated P.T., a statement that Kojima Productions absolutely denies.

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The original report comes by way of French news site GameBlog.fr, which recently published an article stating that Kojima’s diverting of funds away from MGS5’s budget into P.T. without alerting Konami’s higher-ups was a primary reason for his departure from the company. In response, Konjima Productions Global Head of Marketing and Communications Jay Boor replied to the post on social media to dismiss the claims. “Kojima Productions normally does not comment on rumors or speculation,” the post begins, “however we can confirm the article recently posted on Gameblog.fr is categorically false.” 

“KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS normally does not comment on rumors or speculation, however we can confirm that the article recently posted on https://t.co/zDfUnEnnip is categorically false.”
– Jay Boor, Global Head of Marketing and Communications https://t.co/d3o5rV0K0O

— KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS (Eng) (@KojiPro2015_EN) June 24, 2020

Seemingly not one to mince words, Jay Boor later responded to self-described Metal Gear Solid historian @Nitroid’s request for clarification on what exactly Kojima Productions was stating to be “categorically false,” saying that Boor would only be willing to elaborate further “When there is a credible source, on record, at the center of these types of stories.” 

It is, and I appreciate your question. When there is a credible source, on record, at the center of these types of stories, then I will happily make time to elaborate.

Until then, we will continue to be focused on launching #DeathStranding for PC. July 14 is nearly here!

— KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS (Eng) (@KojiPro2015_EN) June 24, 2020

Jay Boor is by no means wrong for standing by his denial without feeling the need to elaborate further. Looking at the GamesBlog.fr article, the content and rumors are chock-full of anonymous sources with nary a shred of credibility. As such, it appears to be nothing more than some speculation fluff designed to blithely point a shriveled finger at Hideo Kojima.

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Given the years of silence on the subject from both Kojima and Konami, chances are what really happened will forever remain a secret. Meanwhile, it’s business as usual at Kojima Productions, with Jay Boor himself closing out his reply to @Nitroid by dropping the upcoming date for Death Stranding’s PC release, which is now less than a month away.