Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima was not allowed to attend the 2015 Video Game Awards to accept any awards for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
“As you noticed Hideo Kojima is not here with us tonight and I want to tell you a little bit about that,” explained Keighley. “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 awards ceremony to accept any awards,” said host Geoff Keighley during the live broadcast.
Keighley held back no punches, detailing Kojima’s complicated circumstances of employment “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.”
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain was nominated for several awards including Game of the Year and Best Art Direction while winning game for Best Score/Soundtrack and Best Action/Adventure Game. Kiefer Sutherland the voice of Snake in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain accepted the awards on behalf of Konami and Kojima Productions.
After removing all traces of Kojima Productions throughout the game’s production and promotion, Kojima parted ways with Konami after a longtime partnership.
