Hideo Kojima Finally Leaves Konami; Goes To Sony To Start New Studio? [RUMORS]

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Video game creator Hideo Kojima has finally left Konami and according to reports, the "Metal Gear" creator is in talk with Sony to start a new studio.

According to Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper, Hideo Kojima has finally cut ties with Konami Digital Entertainment on December 15. A translated text from NeoGAF reveals that Kojima will be forming a new company named Kojima Productions. According to Destructoid, it is confirmed that he will be making a new series and will release it exclusively through PlayStation 4.

The translated text from the newspaper is below:

"Kojima Hideo, a famous video game creator known for the Metal Gear series has left Konami Digital Entertainment as of December 15th. He will form a new company where he will continue developing video games, with plans to release on platforms such as Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE)'s PlayStation."

It is revealed that the rights to the "Metal Gear" franchise will belong to Konami despite him being the series creator.

"He is forming the new company with people who worked under him at Konami. The rights to the Metal Gear series, for which he is most known, remain at Konami, so he will begin working on an all new title. Final negotiations with SCE are underway for this new game to debut on PlayStation."

Kojima's employment status with Konami was vague and unclear until the announcement. According to Mashable, Konami has claimed that Kojima is on vacation after finishing "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" despite having the creator's name removed from the box art of the series as reported by Tech Times.

This news comes a week after Kojima was barred from attending the 2015 Game Awards and receiving the Best Action/Adventure Game award for the final "Metal Gear" game which launched Sept. 2015.

This was revealed by show host Geoff Keighley who said that Kojima was under contract from Konami and has been barred from attending or accepting any awards despite the game creator having every intention to attend the said event.

"He's still under 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 teammates," said Keighley, as reported by Geek.

Earlier this year, the highly anticipated "Silent Hills" game headed by Kojima in collaboration with Guillermo del Toro was cancelled by the company, according to Wired.

Do you think Konami cancelled the horror game because of the strained relationship with Kojima? What do you think caused it in the first place? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.