Rumor: Konami closing Los Angeles studio

Rumors have surfaced saying Konami is closing their Los Angeles based studio. Several developers have claimed on Twitter the studio is being shut down, with 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard mentioning it will happen just before Christmas. Sources close to website Eurogamer have also confirmed the closing of the studio.

Sam Thompson, WWS SCEA Senior Producer:

Founded in 2013 as Kojima Productions LA, the US branch of the Japanese studio was assisting on the development of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and largely responsible for the new Metal Gear Online.

In March of this year it was renamed Konami Los Angeles as part of the company’s restructuring that also was the reason for the disbanding of Kojima Productions in Tokyo.

According to Eurogamer’s sources, work on MGO was transferred to the Japanese studio shortly after the release of TPP, after which the remaining staff in LA were providing support and brainstorming new ideas.

Konami hasn’t commented on the rumor.

Source: George Broussard Twitter, Sam Thompson Twitter, Eurogamer