Konami removes all references to Hideo Kojima from ‘The Phantom Pain’ cover

New official images of 'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' show that the game's cover does not feature any references to renowned game designer Hideo Kojima - the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series - and his studio, Kojima Productions.

According to reports, the box art of the 'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' is similar to the box art of the previous Metal Gear Solid games; but the text 'A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME' is missing. In addition, the new box art also does not have the logo of Kojima Productions; and all references to Kojima have also been removed from the website of the Metal Gear Solid game series.

The images of the 'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' game and the removal of Kojima's name from the game's cover substantiate recent reports that Metal Gear game series publisher Konami has parted ways with Kojima, who helped the franchise explode in popularity. Under the leadership of Kojima, the Metal Gear series had become famous as a complex, atypical and incessantly innovative series.

The reports hinting at Konami's split with Kojima had revealed that the two parties will probably break all ties after the launch of 'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' in September this year.

Meanwhile, Konami's move to remove Kojima's branding from the final cover of 'Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' game has apparently angered the Metal Gear fans, especially because the game is, after all, a Kojima creation!