Konami Blocked Kojima From Attending The Game Awards

Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima was blocked from attending the Game Awards due to clauses in his contract with Konami, according to claims in the industry.

The claim comes from Geoff Keighley, host of the awards and a close friend of the Metal Gear Godfather's, who acknowledged the ever present legal conflict between the two parties during Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain's production. 

According to reports over recent months, the two parties had numerous disagreements regarding the production of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain which culminated in all Kojima production logos being removed from the finished product. 

Kojima reportedly parted ways with Konami in October, but conflicting reports from Konami suggested he was simply taking holiday following the game's release.

"As you noticed, Hideo Kojima is not here with us tonight and I wanted to tell you a little bit about that. 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."

- Geoff Keighley

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain won the the award for best action/adventure game during the show and was received by Keifer Sutherland, the voice of Snake, who accepted it on behalf on Kojima and Kojima Productions.