'Metal Gear' update: Solid Snake voice actor claims Kojima Productions has dissolved

Kojima Productions logo Kojima Productions

New reports say that Akio Otsuka, the Japanese voice actor of the main character Solid Snake in the popular "Metal Gear" video game series, had took to social media site Twitter and announced that the Japanese game developer Kojima Productions has shut down.

Kojima Productions was established back in 2005 as a subsidiary of Japanese game developer and publisher Konami Corporation. Konami has published "Metal Gear Solid" video games since almost three decades ago, and might launch the upcoming "Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" as the last installment of the series. However, nothing has been confirmed yet by the company.

According to a BBC News report, a rumor suggesting a severed relationship between studio head Hideo Kojima and Konami had been spreading earlier this year.

"Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" has been in development by Kojima for some years now and is expected to be released for PS3, PS4, Xbox One, and PC this September.

The upcoming game continues the narrative story found in the previous "Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes" game and takes place in the year 1984.

Konami has announced that it plans to take the new "Metal Gear Solid" video game alongside "Pro Evolution Soccer 2016" to the upcoming Gamescom event that will take off in Germany next month. Gamescom is one of the biggest gaming events in the world with over 300,000 attendees.

At the upcoming Gamescom event, gamers will have a chance to test "The Phantom Pain" video game at Konami's booth.

General Manager Martin Schneider of Konami said, "'Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain' and PES 2016 will be available for the public to play for the first time at this year's Gamescom; and that's the kind of line-up that packs a punch."

"Konami is going to present two stunning games for the current console generation at the most important consumer exhibition in the world, and further showcases Konami's commitment to bringing AAA-titles to the consumer," Schneider added.

Konami is expected to announce more details about their participation in the Gamescon event later.

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