Konami has reportedly closed the LA-based development studio responsible for Metal Gear Online. Though Konami hasn’t made an official announcement, the rumour does come from George Broussard, the 3D Realms founder who’s been fairly reliable when it comes to industry lay-offs, on Twitter. Reports of him having a farewell party was documented though Konami has denied that Kojima has left the company and was only on vacation.
Advertisement
At present, the LA studios is still listed on Konami’s corporate websites; there are several positions open, in fact.
Work on Metal Gear Online is thought to have been moved to Konami’s Japanese studio ahead of the release of The Phantom Pain.
It’s the latest in a long line of stories pointing to a hard development for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, with Hideo Kojima departing, his name being scrubbed from the game’s cover and all promotional materials, and the cancellation of Silent Hills, which Kojima was working on with horror auteur Guillermi del Toro. It isn’t yet clear how Konami Los Angeles Studio’s closure may affect the future of MGO. What the cinematic-minded director will do next is anyone’s guess, but no one will be surprised if it’s as expansive, complex and visually stunning as his much-loved and admired Metal Gear Solid games.
Advertisement
According to its financial report for the six months ending September 30, Konami’s consolidated revenue reached JPY 107.7 billion, up 9.1% from JPY 7.8 billion it posted over the same period a year ago, while net income has doubled to JPY7.8 billion.
