Konami shuts Metal Gear Online studio – report

Konami has reportedly closed the LA-based development studio responsible for Metal Gear Online.

That’s according to Eurogamer, who says that ‘sources close to the matter’ have confirmed that the developer has been shut, with 20 jobs lost as a result.

Prior to the game outlet’s confirmation, 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard took to Twitter to share the news of Konami LA’s closure, though he said that around 35 jobs were in the balance.

Konami launched its LA development studio in 2013 – it was called Kojima Productions Los Angeles until earlier this year. It worked on the multiplayer component of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Online.

The developer was rebranded as Konami Los Angeles Studio amid what appeared to be a feud between Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima and the publisher,which saw Konami removing the developer’s name from all things Metal Gear.

Kojima Productions was then dissolved in July of this year. Since, rumours have arisen suggesting that Konami is pulling out of triple-A development altogether, though the firm itself denies these.