Konami just decided to make it clear that Hideo Kojima is getting blacklisted in most game-related events!
During the 2015 Game Awards, 'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' raked in a huge number of awards including the Best Action/Adventure Game award. Attendees were surprised to see actor Kiefer Sutherland take the award on behalf of series creator and the game's creative director Hideo Kojima.
So what happened to Hideo Kojima? After Kiefer Sutherland's brief acceptance speech, award show host Geoff Keighley had a shocking explanation.
"Mr. Kojima had every intention to be with us here tonight but unfortunately, he was informed by a lawyer representing Konami just recently that he would not be allowed to travel to tonight's awards ceremony to accept any awards," Keighley said, which was immediately booed by the attendees.
"It's on their employment contract," Keighley explained, adding that he isn't happy about Hideo Kojima's absence.
"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 of such an amazing game as Metal Gear Solid V. That's the situation we're in," he said, although the host confirmed that Hideo Kojima is viewing the awards show.
"Hideo is in Tokyo right now watching the show," Keighley said before turning to the attendees and saying, "Why dont you let Hideo know that we're thinking of you and we miss you." The audiences applauded this and he concluded, "We hope to see you in the Game Awards 2016."
Hideo Kojima is responsible for the birth of several successful video games like the 'Metal Gear' series, 'Snatcher' and 'Policenauts.' He recently worked with director Guillermo del Toro and 'The Walking Dead' actor Norman Reedus on the video game 'Silent Hills,' which was cancelled earlier this year.
