Hideo Kojima feted at The Game Awards 2016; New Death Stranding trailer revealed

After a very controversial year in 2015, during which he faced a lot of difficulties and creative differences with former employer Konami in promoting and making his final entry in the long running Metal Gear Solid franchise, video game designer and legend Hideo Kojima finally got the opportunity to attend this year’s “The Game Awards”, and was presented with his very own trophy for being an industry icon that the world appreciates and recognizes for all his contributions to the medium he has dedicated his life and work to.

Presented by The Game Awards host and personal friend Geoff Keighley, the “Industry Icon” award is a long time coming for Kojima-San. After completing work in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the Japanese developer was not allowed by Konami to participate in the 2015 The Game Awards as part of his final contractual obligations with the company. This naturally put fans in a fowl mood, and even host Geoff Keighley was visably disappointed and upset when he announced that piece of news last year live during the program. Accepting the award on his behalf instead during that time was actor Kiefer Sutherland, who was cast as the new voice behind Snake in The Phantom Pain.

Today things have been corrected and a man who has done so much for games has received the recognition he deserves. After a heartfelt speech where he opened up how much he valued and appreciated the man as a fellow gamer and friend, Geoff Keighley personally presented the award to Hideo Kojima, who also showed his thanks and appreciation to the audience who gave a standing ovation for the legendary video game creator who is now heading his new “Kojima Productions” company after leaving Konami.

Congratulations, Kojima-San! As an early Christmas present to games, he showed the new Death Stranding trailer that features Guillermo del Toro and actor Mads Mikkelsen joining the cast!

— TJD, GMA News