While Kojima Productions has long since been the main developer behind the most iconic entries in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, it looks like another prominent Japanese developer has taken the reins on the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Rising.

According to a rumor, Platinum Games, the developer behind titles like Bayonetta and Vanquish, has taken over development duties for Metal Gear Solid: Rising with Hideki Kamiya now in the Director role.

Coming from the folks at iwaggle3D, this rumor doesn’t do much to substantiate its evidence, only claiming that Metal Gear Solid: Rising is in the hands of Platinum Games now. While gamers might balk at the idea of a developer other than Kojima working on a Metal Gear project, Platinum has shown themselves not only to be a capable developer, but one with a similar sensibility to Kojima.

Although Metal Gear Solid: Rising was at the center of the rumor, the report also featured a claim that the next numbered entry in the Metal Gear Solid franchise would be a multiplatform release with a reveal set for this year’s E3.

Unfortunately, in a very curt interview with Andria Sang, Hideo Kojima confirmed that there will be no Metal Gear Solid 5 presence at E3 2011. Furthermore, Kojima confirmed that Metal Gear Solid: Rising would not hit before year's end but MGS 3D would.

See below for the complete questions and responses in the Kojima interview:

Will you appear at the Microsoft E3 press conference? <-- NO

Will you announce Metal Gear Solid 5? <-- NO

Will MGS 3D be released at the end of 2011? <-- YES

Is Doctor Lautrec the new title from the Metal Gear staff? <-- NO (with a laugh)

Did Kojima Productions Not Work on Metal Gear Arcade? <-- YES

Is Gray Fox the main character in MGS Rising? <-- NO

Will MGS Rising's multiplayer be shown? <-- NO

Is MGS Rising's release date November 1, 2011? <-- NO

Will MGS4 be ported to NGP? <-- NO

Are you planning something big for Metal Gear's 25th anniversary next year? <-- YES

So, we may have a new developer for Metal Gear Solid: Rising, but we have no new news about Metal Gear Solid 5. The hope was that E3 2011 might bring that news, but Kojima himself has shut that idea down. But, being a developer that likes to work in secrecy, gamers can’t completely write off the possibility that Kojima has some surprises in store for this year’s event.

What do you hope to see from Kojima at this year’s E3? How do you feel about Platinum Games taking the helm on Metal Gear Solid: Rising?

Source: iwaggle3D, Andria Sang