For all the possible scenarios Metal Gear 6 could explore, there’s an opportunity to bridge the gap between The Phantom Pain (released 2015) and the first Metal Gear (released 1987). Now that we know what happened to Big Boss, or rather the ‘Big Boss’ of MGS5, his story still remains untold, at least in a game. However, there’s a compelling argument that MGS5 was meant to feel ‘unfinished’, mirroring the game’s themes of identity and the phantom pain of unresolvable trauma. Metal Gear Solid 5’s non-ending was much-discussed, and possibly a victim of mounting tensions during the development of the game. Metal Gear Solid 6 - should it come to pass - is likely to be led by Konami, but as things stand, there’s currently no info when, or even if the company plans to return to the franchise.

While Sony is reportedly looking to buy both from the publisher, it’s unlikely Konami would part with its strongest franchises, especially factoring in the aforementioned reboot. Currently, that’s the only way Kojima can work on both Silent Hills and Metal Gear, as Konami is the sole owner of both IPs. It’s tempting to conclude that Kojima and Konami didn’t separate on good terms, but if the rumours about Kojima Productions’ involvement with the planned Silent Hills reboot for PS5 are true, maybe both parties are on their way to reforging their relationship. The only details of this dispute available to the public are an inside report published by GameSpot and a report by Nikkei Asian Review which notes that according to former employees, Konami barred ex-Metal Gear team members from using their experience with Konami on their CVs. At that time, the Kojima Productions logo disappeared from the official Konami website and all promotional material for MGS5, with Kojima leaving the company not long after the game’s release. Prior to the release of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain (MGS5) in September 2015, publisher Konami announced news of internal restructuring efforts.

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