It's not a popular view but Geoff Keighley, who has obviously been in contact with Hideo Kojima, clarified that's Kojima is bound by a contract. Why Konami would exercise what's usually called a 'public association' clause in a contract is really the issue and you can only assume that Konami were concerned he may say something uncomplimentary at the awards show. If so that's their business justification as you put it.
Given his exit contract is up in a matter of weeks, this would only be deferring the inevitable but I guess it's better so have any statements made online rather than on TV which attracts more attention because of the likes of Keifer Sutherland being present. But this assumes he's even going to talk about what happened at Konami. Japanese culture is very different to just about everywhere else I've been and even when there is bad blood, grievances are rarely aired in public.
But I fully agree with London-boy and milk, I liked how Geoff Keighley addressed this head on. Because this touches on the topic of the thread about journalist's relations with publishers and Geoff Keighley's approach certainly wouldn't have pleased Konami. Kudos to Keighley.
thats why geoff looks so aloof/nervous/stutter the whole time while he talks about kojima reality. he understand that what coming out of his mouth is heavy, and konami is well-known for making enemy by refusing future collaboration.
btw there's some conspiracy theory that said: konami have beef with kojima because konami want to keep kojima but kojima want to get out and stop making MGS game (as he already publicly talked every time he's making MGS game). Konami failed to entice Kojima with all the offer they can give, so now Konami act like bullies when they cant get what they wants
It's not been "business as usual" for most of this year. Perhaps I have a better memory from what actions Konami have done thus far but this latest move doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Remember that Konami removed Hideo Kojima's name from the box art - a box that most people will barley glance at. That's how much Konami want to disassociate themselves from Hideo Kojima.
I think it's also worth stating, and it does need to be re-stated, nobody outside of Konami knows what happened. There seems be universal and overwhelming support for Hideo Kojima with most people assuming the fault is on Konami's side. I think this is because based on almost no information (which is what he have) Konami do indeed look like assholes. I also think it's easy for people to better associate with a specific personality (Hideo Kojima) than a faceless company (Konami) particularly when that individual is a very personable chap.
Me? I'm keeping an open mind.. My time in the British civil service taught me invaluable skills like how to put aside preconceived ideas and how to be objective - even about subjects on which you have strong opinions.
Jokes aside I've seen employees leave my company, sue the company for whatever reason, and still being treated with a lot more respect than this guy who has made Konami a lot of money, as well as raising their profile thanks to his creations.
Geoff keighley is one of the figures of gaming media for whom I have most respect, and this moment added to that. So smart for him to embarass Konami publically like that. Good job Geoff.
thats why geoff looks so aloof/nervous/stutter the whole time while he talks about kojima reality. he understand that what coming out of his mouth is heavy, and konami is well-known for making enemy by refusing future collaboration.
btw there's some conspiracy theory that said: konami have beef with kojima because konami want to keep kojima but kojima want to get out and stop making MGS game (as he already publicly talked every time he's making MGS game). Konami failed to entice Kojima with all the offer they can give, so now Konami act like bullies when they cant get what they wants
I dont think its simply a matter of Kojima wanting to part from the company. Such things happen all the time. Its no reason for Konami to be so offensive with Kojima.
The collaboration ended very suddenly. He is not a figure that Konami would do injustice simply because he wanted to leave or didnt want to make an MGS game.
This is off the record. I mentioned this before. Kojima was going to hold a special/secret event. I didnt mention where before but it was going to take place in Cyprus. You can probably understand why. Everything was ready and shortly before the event was going to take place the organizer was informed of its cancellation with a strange excuse that I will not mention. It wasnt related to Kojima and it didnt make sense. It was a silly one. You suspect that something else was going on. Konami (or was it Kojipro?) paid for all the expenses of the event regardless. Fast forward a few weeks later we got news Kojima will depart. How do I know this? I happened to know some "people" from Cyprus
Strangely though I am not sure if Hideo knew or suspected his departure as there is a mission in GZ where you had to spot all the logos of the MGS games he made and erase them, whereas all other MGS logos of games he didnt make still remained and Miller added a comment "eh nothing special". Coincidence? Maybe
Silent Hills is also a strange case. We are talking about a big contract with Hollywood figures and a title that created huge interest. Silent Hills steered so much the world that it was mentioned in places you wouldnt expect. Konami announced the game. It was a title that Kojima was going to work. Konami would have wanted him to finish it and so would Kojima. The contract and project were cancelled out of the blue. Wouldnt Kojima want to stay and fulfill his vision and collaboration with Hollywood partners? Yes he would.
The only reason that may do a favor to Konami for such an ugly treatment is if Hideo Kojima did something really bad within the company but so far we didnt get a hint of something like that. Only then Konami would not want to be associated with him.
P.T is pulled like it never existed, Silent Hills contract is canceled, his name is pulled from MGSV main title and basically every game he made in the past, they close his studio and block the phone lines and emails suddenly, they dont let him attend the VG Awards, they cancel an event he was going to attend to, his name is completely erased from Konami, Konami doesnt make a single statement or a farewell announcement for such an important figure in the gaming industry.....what is going on? They want him erased.
If it is not something Hideo did that would have embarrassed the company, it could be some very ugly internal competition and someone managed to kick him out
Geoff probably knows why as they have met in person AFAIK and maybe its the reason he speaks against Konami
Yeah maybe Geoff looks so nervous when speaking about Kojima in tga because he is actually holding himself from talking much more, he know much more, but he can't reveal it. BTW does Kojima have kids? Maybe it's the kids that done something? Or Kojima did something for the kids? Dammit, can't make new line in Firefox mobile....................... About the mission in GZ, yeah it's too eerily similar with the reality. It's possible that Kojima already have problem with Konami when making GZ, and Konami threatened to erase him.
thats why geoff looks so aloof/nervous/stutter the whole time while he talks about kojima reality. he understand that what coming out of his mouth is heavy, and konami is well-known for making enemy by refusing future collaboration.
Hi, I've close to zero knowledge about Konami & Kojima.
However, this banning event might be exactly how a typical Japanase company would react. Right? It's a matter of honour and humiliation for them, methinks
React to what? As far as we know (no just cat-killing or impregnating theories) Kojima hasn't done anything wrong to 'dishonour' Konami. It's not so much us bemused at Konami's cultural heritage, but a complete blank on what has transpired to cause them to react this way. The story hasn't been told. We're seeing symptoms, but not the cause.
It's not surprising he looked nervous. Apparently Geoff didn't tell anyone he was going to do this, he went completely off-script... live.
I think that's clever, because if he told anyone he might have been legally blocked before the show. It seems to be what happened with his Mattrick interview, it was blocked in the editing room and "someone" had to "leak" it on youtube. This time it was live, so I suppose lawyers can't do anything about it after the facts.
Strangely though I am not sure if Hideo knew or suspected his departure as there is a mission in GZ where you had to spot all the logos of the MGS games he made and erase them, whereas all other MGS logos of games he didnt make still remained and Miller added a comment "eh nothing special". Coincidence? Maybe
Skullface removes the FOX logo from the chopper in GZ.
You are tasked do the same in-game with other logos using a special torchlight.
I only see Kojima recycling ideas.
Suggesting that the mission foretells the end of KJP or it's a metaphor of the "soon to come doom" it's a stretch IMO.
his name is pulled from MGSV main title and basically every game he made.
They just removed its name from the MGS V poster, form advertising material; his name is still in the credits of every game he made.
Actually Kojima's name appears so many times in MGS V it's sickening.
Skullface removes the FOX logo from the chopper in GZ.
You are tasked do the same in-game with other logos using a special torchlight.
I only see Kojima recycling ideas.
Suggesting that the mission foretells the end of KJP or it's a metaphor of the "soon to come doom" it's a stretch IMO.
It was a side game without any connection to the story or plot logic and only the Kojima MGS games were erased
They just removed its name from the MGS V poster, form advertising material; his name is still in the credits of every game he made.
Actually Kojima's name appears so many times in MGS V it's sickening.
Well of course, they had no legal right to remove him from there and it would be silly to reprint old games that were made before his departure would they? In the official Konami page where he can be removed he was removed.
