After twenty years with Hideo Kojima, producer Keniichiro Imaizumi takes flight in search of new professional horizons.
Everything has a beginning and an end, even the most lasting collaborations. Keniichiro Imaizumi, producer of Death Stranding, has left the ranks of Kojima Productions after more than two decades of working with Hideo Kojima. As revealed by VGC, the developer has not explained the reasons for his departure, although his destination is Tencent Europe, according to this same media outlet. Imaizumi will be in charge of detecting investment opportunities in this territory, as well as expanding the WeChat service.
The paths of Keiichiro Imaizumi and Hideo Kojima crossed during the development of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, in 2001. Later, he served as producer on Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. He also did the same in the collaboration that Kojima Productions entered into with PlatinumGames for the development of Metal Gear Rising, the action spin-off starring Raiden.
Imaizumi (left) with Hideo Kojima and other members of the study.
Kojima Productions after Konami
In late 2015, Hideo Kojima's name disappeared from Konami's website. At that moment, the rumors of his departure began to sprinkle throughout the network. Shortly after, communicated through, it was confirmed that the creative would leave the company that had been his home for decades.
Kojima Productions was reborn from its ashes as an independent studio and Keniichiro Imaizumi accompanied Hideo Kojima on one more adventure, that of Death Stranding, which marks the end of their long-standing collaboration. The absence of the producer in the world tour of the video game hinted at the evolution of events, not yet certified at the time.
Death Stranding went on sale last November on PlayStation 4, although the game will have a PC version next June. The slight delay caused by the coronavirus will not prevent Sam Porter Bridges from delivering compatible merchandise very soon. Beyond that horizon, the next project of the Japanese genius is unknown.
Source | VGC
