Konami confirms Metal Gear Online studio closure

Japanese publisher Konami has officially confirmed that its LA studio – responsible for development of Metal Gear Online – has been shut with immediate effect.

In a statement to Polygon, the company said that all development resources were being restructured to be more centralised.

This follows a rumour posted on Twitter by 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard which was subsequently confirmed by Eurogamer.

Broussard’s commentary put the number of jobs lost at 35; Eurogamer then said 20 jobs were in the balance. Konami has not confirmed how many roles have been axed as a result of the closure of the LA studio.

The publisher also confirmed that Metal Gear Online is still on for a January 2016 release on PC amid fears this version was not going to make it out following this closure.

"Konami has made the decision to close its Los Angeles Studio, effective immediately, due to the product development resources being restructured into a more centralised unit," said the publisher said in a statement.

This facility contributed to the recent Metal Gear Solid games. Konami will continue its operations to support all Metal Gear Solid titles, including the recently launched Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Online. Metal Gear Online is still scheduled to release for PC Steam in January 2016."