Hideo Kojima left Konami this month, non-compete expires in December - report

Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima can start work outside Konjami as early as December, apparently.

Kojima formally left Konami on October 9, according to an anonymous source.

Speaking to the New Yorker, this whisperer said Kojima is prevented from working on new games by a non-compete exit clause, which expires in December.

Konami and Kojima have not commented on the news, which means we can't take it as gospel yet. But Kojima did apparently confirm his departure, as he cited "legally binding agreement with his former employer" when turning down the opportunity to speak out.

The New Yorker points to shifts in the Japanese gaming industry for Kojima's departure; mobile has overtaken the traditional triple-A industry.

If Kojima wants to keep making big-budget games I'm pretty sure there are a dozen companies who'd be keen to bring him on board. Let's cross our fingers we haven't seen the end of the man who brought us Solid Snake and Big Boss.