"Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" bagged two awards, Best Action/Adventure Game and Best Score/SOundtrack at the 2015 Game Awards celebration last Dec 3 in Los Angeles, California but the crowd was shocked that its creator, Hideo Kojima, was not there to accept the award.
It is sad to say but Konami has banned Hideo Kojima, the man behind the "Metal Gear Series," from attending 2015 Game Awards. According to the Verge, Kojima has been staying away from the limelight since "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" was released. Rumors suggest that Hideo Kojima has already left Konami, but according to the company he is just on vacation.
During the ceremony, host Geoff Keighley said, "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."
The crowd reportedly booed Konami for barring Kojima from the ceremony. According to Eurogamer, Keighley's statement serves as an acknowledgement that there has been a legal battle between the "Metal Gear Solid" series designer and Konami. Konami has been insisting that Kojima is only on vacation and that he still remains an employee of the company. Apparently fans are not buying it.
Morover, Keighley also said, "Hideo is in Tokyo right now watching the show - and we wanted you to know Hideo that we're thinking of you - and we miss you. We hope to see you at The Game Awards 2016."
Keifer Sutherland, who voiced Snake in "MGSV," accepted the award on behalf of Kojima and the Kojima Productions team.
So far, Kojima has not said anything about the situation but he has thanked his followers on Twitter for the continued support.
Thank you very much.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) December 4, 2015
