Hideo Kojima’s name removed from box art for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

By Kris Wouk Published July 14, 2015

hideo kojimas name removed metal gear solid v box art black — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Yesterday we reported that Japanese voice actor and voice of Solid Snake Akio Otsuka had tweeted that Kojima Productions had been dissolved. While that claim still has not been verified by publisher Konami, yet another clue has been found that Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima’s relationship with the company is nearing its end.

Today a thread appeared on gaming forum NeoGAF showing that the box art for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain had been slightly altered. Specifically, all references to Kojima are now gone from the new box art.

Most notably the words “A Hideo Kojima Game” are no longer displayed above the title at the top of the box. The Kojima Productions logo is also no longer displayed at the bottom left of the box, next to the Fox Interactive logo.

This isn’t the first time this has happened with Metal Gear Solid V. Earlier this year, Kojima’s name was removed from branding related to the game, sparking rumors that he would be parting ways with Konami. So far there has been no official confirmation of this, but evidence has been stacking up.

In April, the Kojima Productions logo was removed from the website for Silent Hills. Later that month both the game’s co-director Guillermo del Toro and actor Norman Reedus said that the game was canceled, but Konami denied the rumors. On April 27, Konami pulled the plug on the game.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, on the other hand, is certainly not canceled. Last month we got a hands-on look at the game, and while the story surrounding its development may not be a happy one, the game itself is shaping up to be something special.

The latest game in the Metal Gear saga is set for a September 1 release, and while this is likely the final game from Kojima Productions, it seems that the studio will go out on a high note.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Gaming

Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed remakes are in the works

Basim perched on a ledge overlooking Baghdad

In a company interview with CEO Yves Guillemot posted on the Ubisoft website Thursday, the executive reveals that there are remakes of Assassin's Creed games in the works, although he doesn't specify which ones.

"Players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them," he says, implying that it could pertain to games made before Odyssey. "There are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich."

Gaming

Surfaced patent shows what an Xbox streaming console would’ve looked like

An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

There have been a few Xbox devices that have never come to fruition, one of which was Keystone, a prototype for an affordable game streaming device you could hook up to your TV or monitor. Thanks to a surfaced patent, we've gotten an even closer look at what it would've potentially looked like.

The patent, first spotted by Windows Central, gives us a more complete view of the device. We've previously seen the Keystone in the flesh. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer is known for hiding teases and interesting collectibles on the shelf in his office. In a 2022 X (formerly Twitter) post congratulating Bethesda on Fallout's 25th anniversary, you can see a small white device on the top shelf that's actually a Keystone prototype. Xbox told Digital Trends that it was a version of the device made before it decided to "refocus our efforts on a new approach.”

Gaming

Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for June 28

Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on June 28, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "ORDER." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter D.
Today’s Wordle uses two vowels.
Today's Wordle can refer to a large number of animals, particularly livestock like cattle or sheep, that are moving together in a group.