On top of this, many of the game's key developers will have limited opportunities to promote Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. This restriction also applies to Hideo Kojima.
Power struggles between Kojima Productions and Konami have convinced the publisher to make drastic changes, including amending the employee status of its Metal Gear team. Some senior staff at the studio, including Kojima, now essentially work as contractors, not permanent employees.
In speaking with GameSpot, the source claims that they will leave Konami once their contract ends in December.
The person added: "At a team meeting, Mr Kojima explained that team have to be one and make a good game for fans."
Konami has already started to remove the Kojima Productions logo from all official Metal Gear art. They have also removed Kojima from their executive team. Kojima Productions branding and logos have also been removed from Twitter, the Metal Gear website, and the LA office listing.
Konami issued one public statement on the matter.
"Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcements."
It's quite vague, as you may expect. Where does this leave Kojima and his team? Will they make a new studio of their own and seek a new publisher? Will they self-publish? And what about Silent Hills? These are all questions that nobody really knows the answers to just yet.
Kojima has been with Konami for nearly 30 years.
On the verge of some great things, it's desperately strange they'd be attacking their biggest creative force.