Kojima statement commits to Metal Gear Solid V but nothing beyond

Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has spoken publicly for the first time after the troubles between him and his employer first came to light.

In what was described as a joint statement with Konami, Kojima said: "I want to reassure fans that I am 100 per cent involved and will continue working on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. I’m determined to make it the greatest game I’ve directed to date. Don’t miss it."

Which of course fails to address the huge elephant in the room – what does the future hold for him and his studio Kojima Productions following MGS:V’s release?

The saga erupted late last week when reports emerged of a rift between Kojima and Konami. Reports claimed that Kojima Productions was effectively on lock down at Konami, with everyone waiting until the release of the game this September before parting ways.

The plot thickened when it was discovered that Konami has begun recruiting for a new Metal Gear game, for which it wants a fresh set of developers.

Suggestions that bad blood was in full flow intensified when the internet noticed that Hideo Kojima’s name has been removed from the cover art of older Metal Gear titles on Konami’s site.