Metal Gear has long been setting the benchmark for storytelling in video games, a trend that looks to be continuing with Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, if its glowing reviews are any indication. This penchant for stories dates all the way back to the franchise's 8-bit origins, and has continued to evolve over the years. However, with a saga spanning multiple games, consoles, and literal decades, things tend to get a little twisted and convoluted along the way.

However, despite how crazy the Metal Gear Solid story arc is, a recent real world story of conflict between series creator Hideo Kojima and publisher Konami definitely gives it a run for its money. The conflict all centers around the abrupt breakup of Kojima and Konami that came about late in the development of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, and now there's yet another chapter in this strange breakup.

This latest development doesn't come from Hideo Kojima, Konami, or anyone that actually worked on Metal Gear Solid 5, however. On the contrary, it comes from an Australia video game retailer chain known as JB Hi-Fi. Known in the past for its humorous in-store reviews, JB Hi-Fi has taken things to the next level, commemorating their Metal Gear Solid 5 display stands with a bold sign that proudly and defiantly declares: A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME.

Check out one of JB Hi-Fi's glorious displays right here:

JB Hi-Fi is of course doing this in response to Konami removing Kojima's name from Metal Gear Solid 5's box art and credits. This drew the ire of many fans, as Hideo Kojima is the artistic mastermind behind the franchise. Konami even had the gall to retroactively remove Kojima's name from past Metal Gear titles as well, but they since reversed their decision.

The details between the Hideo Kojima and Konami split are still very much shrouded in mystery. The rumors are that the disconnect between the legendary developer and his longtime home company was due to a financial dispute, but that has yet to be confirmed or denied by either side. Whatever the case may be, it still paints Konami in a bad light when they make decisions like removing Hideo Kojima's name from what may in fact be his magnum opus.

JB Hi-Fi's display is humorous, but makes a statement at the same time. Konami upset many gamers when they removed Kojima's name from Metal Gear Solid 5, and JB Hi-Fi, along with many other gamers, will have none of it. That being said, for all we know, Kojima could be in the wrong, but Konami's refusal to openly address the breakup and outright trying to stop people from discussing it doesn't do any favors for Konami's tattered image.

JB Hi-Fi's excellent displays aren't the first time someone has stood up for Hideo Kojima following his split from Konami. The developers of Goat Simulator, upon hearing the news of Kojima's removal from the Metal Gear Solid 5 credits, decided to add his name to the credits of Goat Simulator. It will be interesting to see if other companies or developers step forward to stand up for Kojima as well.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is releasing next Tuesday, September 1st, for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Source: Kotaku Australia