Why Konami Pushed Hideo Kojima Out of The Company

This video game documentary about Hideo Kojima details the whole story of why Konami pushed Hideo Kojima out of the company after he was employed there for nearly three decades.

References:

Outro song: Thank You R.G.E. - Joe Bagale

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[sunjoexys]

Such a sad story. I have been a fan of MGS for 20 years. Konami used to be my favorite game publisher. MGS, Castlevania SOTN and all the NES classics. If I remember correctly, Konami did say they wanted to be the Asian equivalent of EA (around 2003, when EA was the most successful game publisher in the world). The irony is they achieved this by receiving a billion middle fingers.

[JustWatchingVideo]

Hearing any company say “Mobile games are the future” is like hearing them say “Haha, we’re getting filthy rich on mobile games!”

[liamtaylor]

Imagine abandoning Metal Gear Solid and one of the best minds in the industry for Dragon Collection

[Cyro_Gen]

It's a sad story, and I'm googling why Kojima left Konami only now. Kojima almost foresaw that he would be kicked out of Konami, and that's why he added the UV Light gun in MGSV: GZ. All Metal Gear games with his name on it where erased by the UV light, but games without his name remained, like Metal Gear Rising or Metal Gear Ac!d or Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and Kaz even mentions after erasing a few markings that were a Kojima game: "You might be able to erase all the markings... but the memories will never disappear." Meaning that from Kojima's perspective, you can erase my name from the games I made, but people will always remember who I am and my legacy. Also he planned to put the Konami logo on the prison camps in GZ. Says a lot, agreed?

[MCHuang]

I think it also adds to the story that Kojima comes from an era in Japanese culture where it was still expected for someone to spend their entire career with the same company

[Pan_Z]

Amidst all the disappointment and revulsion by Konami's actions, what stands out to me is the loss of the Fox Engine. Kojima seemed really enthusiastic about it, like it was a big step forward in aiding game development. The flagship Fox Engine game, MGSV, runs at a near flawless 60fps on consoles, looks great, and is rendering an open-world. There's so much work and potential Konami killed, because they'd rather abandon video games for pachinko.

[tastymcmuffin]

I'm so happy that Nintendo didn't shift gears to only mobile when they were having a bad time with the wii u. A future where basic mobile gaming is dominant is not a future I want to be in.

[PSNPerfectNinja]

Kojima has something much more valuable than he realizes: he has a reputation for making quality games. Fans of his games will follow him, no matter who he makes those games with.

[Telhias]

"... and Konami wanted to take money from gambling addicts." Fixed that for you!

[whendricso]

Konami wanted to disgrace Kojima, but only disgraced themselves.

[duberdurm]

I don't understand why anyone would prefer a tiny screen and wonky controls over a console or PC.

[PandorasTmrw]

Wow talk about a redemption story. Hearing how he thought he had lost it all but had all these people still in his corner to support him when he had nothing truly speaks to Hideo’s character and profound respect everyone had for him. Literally tears formed in my eyes man.

[xroxide]

konami focused on converting the IP's into pachinko and "free to play" mobile games.
basically destroying their legacy for short term cash.
what a dumpster fire.

[Bennyman]

"I really wanted to re-connect with these people"
So Konami kicking Kojima out gave him the idea to make Death Stranding, a game dedicated to the premise of reconnecting people

[joshmeisterr]

Hideki Hayakawa: "Mobile is where the future of where gaming lies."

Everyone here: "F&#@ YOU!!"

[Massacretalitor]

People may find it to be a sad story, but I think it's the best hand he could've ever have gotten. He has his own studio with a lot more free creative control over it. I'm certain he's much happier with where he is now.

[Oscaru]

wow, this explains death stranding, makes it entirely clear. death stranding is an allegory to his life and how he felt after all of this.
''I thought I had lost everything, but i found out that I had a lot of CONNECTIONS. like Sony people, like Norman Reedus, like Geoff Keighley. I really wanted to RECONNECT with these people that I thought were really important.''

[Lakhshamana]

The love of money is truly the root of many evils.

[francisvelasco]

Every Metal Gear Solid entry is like a movie masterpiece that you can control....smartphone games are easily forgettable...

[themoaspecial]

I remember Geoff Keighley’s statement at the Game Awards. Man… That was such a shocker hearing that. Anger that was in everyone at that time and the crowd even booing..