Almost immediately after Konami confirmed (via IGN) that it is indeed shutting down its Los Angeles Studio, the team behind the recent "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" news has broken out that the company is planning on the next "Metal Gear Solid" game, with or without Hideo Kojima's involvement.
According to the print edition of Nikkei (via Kotaku), a Konami representative stated, "When we start development, a large-scale investment will become necessary,"
The report continues to explain that the development team is still in the early stages of planning, which means there is no early build of the game in existence at this point and no release date can yet be determined. However, it is reiterated that Konami will be pursuing more titles in the "Metal Gear Solid" franchise.
Most AAA titles such as the "Metal Gear Solid" games can take three to five years in development, which is why the next title is still years away from seeing a release.
The report also makes mention of "Metal Gear Solid" series creator Hideo Kojima and states that his involvement in the next planned title is yet unconfirmed.
However, given that Kojima's name was removed from the box art for "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" and the closure of his Los Angeles studio, it is unlikely he will return to work with Konami. Konami's representative still iterates that Kojima has not been fired but is only on vacation.
"Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" does bring the franchise' story to a complete circle by connecting the dots between the "Solid" titles and the original two "Metal Gear" titles released on the MSX. Moving forward with a new "Metal Gear Solid" title may indicate Konami will either tell more stories about "Venom Snake" or a potential sequel to the events of "Metal Gear Solid IV: Guns of the Patriots."
