Conflicting Sources Disagree on if Kojima is Still Working at Konami

Hoo boy. Strap yourselves in, kids, the fan’s spinnin’ at full speed and some feces are flyin’ fast towards the blades.

Yesterday, the New York Times announced officially, before the world, that Hideo Kojima’s last day at Konami was on October 9th, where the company was host to a “Cheerful but emotional” farewell party for their numero uno game designer. The rest of the article is devoted to talking about Konami’s ‘fall from grace’ and the rift growing between Konami and Kojima, and is most certainly worth a read, but ultimately, this news can’t surprise anyone, right? We all figured it was only a matter of time before Kojima packed his bags and shipped off to better shores, so hearing it from the New York Times, of all sources, is more like a relief than a surprise.

But then.

BUT THEN.

A journalist over at Tokyo Sports (which was helpfully translated by Kotaku) apparently filed a follow-up report with Konami, and a Spokesperson claimed that Hideo Kojima is actually still working for the company and is, in fact, only taking an ‘extended vacation’. They continued to explain how it was normal for developers to take long breaks following the grueling task of making a game (unless, of course, you’re Masahiro Sakurai) and he’s still an employee. When asked about the party, the spokesperson said “we don’t know what that was about.”

So, one of two things happened: either the New York Times was misinformed by their source and completely jumped the gun, or Konami is lying about Kojima’s retirement from their company. And frankly, the New York Times has a better history with honesty, so I’m inclined to believe their story.

But still--the intrigue cuts deep. I haven’t been this invested in corporate scandal since the Crytek Crysis.