The Game Awards 2015: Metal Gear Solid director Hideo Kojima banned from attending show by Konami
TGA producer confirms why Kojima wasn't in attendance
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Game Awards 2015 honoured Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain as this year's best action game. The game's director, Hideo Kojima, was not in attendance to accept the award.
Show host Geoff Keighley explained the reasoning behind his absence was that Mr Kojima's soon-to-be former employers, and publishers of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, Konami, instructed Mr Kojima via lawyers that he wasn't permitted to attend the show.
In a speech during the ceremony, host 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."
Hideo Kojima and Konami have been in a long-standing dispute since earlier this year when it was confirmed that the acclaimed director would depart the company upon the completion of Metal Gear Solid 5.
Keifer Sutherland, the voice of Snake in MGS5, accepted the award in Mr Kojima's absence.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments