Veteran Metal Gear Solid producer and Kojima Productions founding member Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi has joined Tencent Europe.
Tencent’s European operation is based in Amsterdam and is tasked with identifying investment opportunities in the region, as well as expanding its WeChat messaging service.
As reported by VGC,the Kojima Productions veteran left the company last year, ending a near-20-year association with studio. As corporate director, Imaizumi oversaw all production onDeath Stranding.
During the studio’s previous incarnation atKonami, he worked on every Metal Gear Solid title since 2001’s Sons of Liberty. Most recently, he was a producer for Guns of the Patriots, The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Rising.
The reason for the veteran’s departure remains unclear and he is yet to either publicly acknowledge it or respond to requests for comment.
Significantly, Imaizumi – usually a common face atKojima Productions’ public events and on social media – was absent fromHideo Kojima’s promotional world tour for Death Stranding.
Tencent is Asia’s second-biggest company by market value($490bn) and has invested in more than 800 companies.
As well as owningLeague of LegendsmakerRiot Games, it has a 40% stake inEpic Gamesand holds shares inActivision Blizzard,UbisoftandPUBG Corporationparent companyBluehole, among others.
In November 2019 itacquired a 10% stake in Sumo Group, the parent company ofTeam Sonic RacingstudioSumo Digital, whileBayonettadeveloperPlatinumGamessaid this yearit had received investment from Tencentwhich will see it remain independent while allowing it to explore self-publishing.
Hideo Kojima has recently suggested thathis next game could be a horror title.
