Ken-Ichiro Imaizui, has Departed Kojima Productions
Sources are saying that the corporate director at Kojima Productions, Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi, has left the company under unknown circumstances. When Kojima Productions was established as an independent studio, many Konami veterans joined the company, including Imaizumi. During his time with Konami, Imaizumi worked on every Metal Gear Solid title since Metal Gear Solid: Son’s of Liberty from 2001. While Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi may be done with Kojima Productions, he will be known as the corporate director behind Death Stranding.
Although no sources have confirmed exactly why Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi left Kojima Productions, one apparently claimed that it was due to a disagreement with another director at the studio. Imaizumi was with Konami for almost twenty years before jumping ship with other Konami veterans to establish the studio behind Death Stranding, Kojima Productions. Other titles Imaizumi contributed towards include Guns of the Patriots, The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Rising. Though Death Stranding may have received mixed ratings, we considered the art direction masterful and the acting outstanding. Check out our review here!
While Kojima Productions and Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi have yet to respond to requests for comment on this story, this wouldn’t be the first time inner studio turmoil led an executive to leave their role with a company. Imaizumi’s work with Death Stranding meant overseeing all production on the title, meaning any drama is likely unrelated to the game. Apparently, Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi was absent from the Death Stranding World Tour, a promotional event that celebrated the launch of the studio’s first title. This would imply that the company was already aware of any issues with Imaizumi ahead of the event.
Are you a Death Stranding fan that wants Kojima Productions as intact and healthy as possible or does inner studio conflict not bother you? What did you think of the studio’s first game? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Video Games Chronicle