Metal Gear creator and esteemed industry legend Hideo Kojima was blocked from attending last night’s Game Awards by Konami, according to the shows producer, Geoff Keighley.
Directly addressing viewers of the ceremony – in which Kojima’s own Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain won awards for best Action Adventure and Best Soundtrack – Keighley said that:
Mr. Kojima had every intention of being with us tonight, but unfortunately he was informed by a lawyer representing Konami just recently that he would not be allowed to travel to tonight’s award ceremony to accept any awards.
He’s still under an employment contract and it’s disappointing and it’s inconceivable to me that an artist like Hideo would not be allowed to come here and celebrate with his peers and his fellow teammates.
The announcement was apparently met with boos from the audience, with Gears Of War creator Cliff Blezinski Tweeting shortly after that, “Yes, I just started this booing myself in here. #TheGameAwards love you @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN tell it like it is @geoffkeighley”.
The revelation is likely to reignite speculation concerning what actually happened between Kojima and his employees. If you recall, the ‘feud’ began when Konami removed any references to Kojima from the Phantom Pain’s box art, and still claim that he’s still “on vacation,” despite several reports claiming he’s already left the company.
