Long-time fans of the "Metal Gear" video game series as well as dedicated gamers of the action-stealth genre were shocked after the name of Hideo Kojima was removed in the box art of "Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain."
Kojima is well-known in the video game community as the creator of the "Metal Gear" series and pioneer of the action-stealth genre of video game.
According to IGN, the latest move from Konami, publisher of the "Metal Gear" franchise, adds up to heightened tension between the company and Kojima.
The news was first picked up by NeoGaf and based on the screenshots provided by some users, the line "A Hideo Kojima Game" which is present on almost all "Metal Gear" box arts in the past were removed in the "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" box.
The issue about Konami and Kojima has been publicized for quite some time already despite the absence of comments from both sides. Before the emergence of the new issue, Kojima Productions' logo was removed off of Konami's website.
On top of that, Konami cancelled the production and development of "Silent Hills," one of the most anticipated horror games to date. The "Silent Hills" project was headed by Kojima and well-known director Guillermo Del Toro.
Recently, Konami announced that its stocks will no longer be traded at the New York Stock Exchange. The company added that it will put more emphasis and much of its focus on the mobile gaming platform.
"Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" will be released on Sept. 1. The game is the last collaboration between Kojima Productions and Konami.