metal gear solid

I am so confused...

Via Videogamer:

Konami appears to be in the process of reinstating references to Hideo Kojima back into Metal Gear Solid branding.

Branding for Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection appears to have been updated tonight to include the line 'A Hideo Kojima Game', with the game's product page now also featuring multiple references to Kojima."

From the critically acclaimed director, Hideo Kojima, METAL GEAR SOLID: The Legacy Collection offers the most complete METAL GEAR SOLID experience ever," the product page currently reads, later adding: "The 'Metal Gear' series is the seminal work of Hideo Kojima, Japan's master game creator, and the progenitor of the stealth action game genre."

The references to Kojima on the Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes had not been reinserted at the time of writing.

Rumors have been floating around that Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima is leaving Konami, after he said he's done with the series, and the brand is attempting to minimalize the appearance of his name on the latest Metal Gear Solid game:

Kojima's games typically feature heavy branding as "A Hideo Kojima Game," but advertisements of The Phantom Pain have recently been changed to remove that branding.  Additionally, news has surfaced that Kojima will no longer be an executive at Konami as of April 1st.  Though they haven't explicitly stated he's leaving the company, Konami released the following statement that all but confims it:

To Customers,

Thank you for your continued patronage of KONAMI products and services.

The latest title in the METAL GEAR series,“METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN” (below, “MGSV: TPP”), will be released as planned starting on Tuesday, September 1^st, 2015 in North America, Latin America, and Europe, followed by Japan and Asia on Wednesday, September 2^nd. Hideo Kojima will remain involved throughout.

Hideo Kojima stated, "I want to reassure fans that I am 100% 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!"

In addition, KONAMI will continue to develop and distribute top-quality content in the METAL GEAR series following “MGSV: TPP.” We greatly anticipate and deeply appreciate your ongoing support for METAL GEAR.

As the next step in the series, KONAMI has already resolved to develop new “METAL GEAR”.

We will be conducting interviews for main staff to lead the development.

In an interview with IGN, creator Hideo Kojima claims Metal Gear is over:

I always say 'this will be my last Metal Gear,' but the games in the series that I've personally designed and produced -- Metal Gear on MSX, MG2, MGS1, 2, 3, 4, Peace Walker, and now MGSV -- are what constitute a single 'Metal Gear Saga.' With MGSV, I'm finally closing the loop on that saga.  In that sense, this will be the final 'Metal Gear Solid.' Even if the 'Metal Gear' franchise continues, this is the last 'Metal Gear.'

To be fair, this isn't the first time he's said this.  Kojima's been trying to get away from the series since Metal Gear Solid 2, but he was forced to go back when MGS3 wasn't going well.

The release date wasn't supposed to be announced for until tomorrow, but it's leaked and it's soon(ish): the worldwide release is scheduled for September 1, 2015.  Phantom Pain will be released for Xbox One/360, PlayStation 4/3, and PC. 

Head to the 50 minute mark to get to the game.

Not convinced you're getting your money's worth with next gen consoles? Check out these side by side comparisons between PS3/4, and Xbox 360/One. Also get a look at the next Metal Gear Solid game, Ground Zeroes, out March 18th.

This special edition PS4 drops March 20th in Japan to mark the release of Metal Gear Solid V.

Get a look at the game with Kojima co-producer Sean Eyestone, as he walks us through fifteen minutes of gameplay.