Ryan Payton leaves Kojima Productions

by Justin McElroy { Aug 26th 2008 at 11:00AM }

He's not quite the big name that Hideo Kojima is, but the fact is that if you liked Metal Gear Solid 4, especially how its gameplay had evolved since the last entry in the series, producer Ryan Payton is a big part of the reason. Now, Payton has left the team to spend more time with his family in North America after, he says, receiving some "pretty heavy news concerning my mom."

We knew the guy was good at making games, but it turns out he's also got a heart as big as all outdoors. Let's hope he ends up somewhere nice.

(P.S.: Metal Gear Solid 5 will be completely inscrutable, with Reagan-era gameplay. Confirmed.)

Tags: kojima-productions, konami, metal-gear-solid, metal-gear-solid-4, metal-gear-solid-5, ryan-payton

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

juju187 @ Aug 26th 2008 11:05AM

he's from washington i'm sure he'll find something close to home

Albanian_Killa @ Aug 26th 2008 11:06AM

I hope his mom is okay.

BananaBoat @ Aug 26th 2008 2:42PM

Indeed.

I'm sure he'll be back at Kojima productions some day. From all the interviews he's done, it seems like working for a Japanese developer was always his dream, and he had only just made it come true. It's a shame really, but there are more important things.

princeofshapeir @ Aug 26th 2008 11:07AM

Ryan, if you read this, I want you to know that I loved the work you did on the podcast, and would love it if you started another one wherever you end up next.

Its a sad day for me, because I love the MGS series and I had no desire to work for Konami because I knew the series was in good hands with you-- you brought all of the polish we see in Western games to Japan.

WhoMe @ Aug 26th 2008 11:20AM

The only thing that is *confirmed* is that that stupid meme is old news. Somebody needs their self-bestowed hipster badge revoked.

Phinehas @ Aug 26th 2008 11:27AM

Do people really use the word, "meme" anymore? That's so last year's academic, ya know?

:D

Just yanking your chain, btw. I agree that the *confirmed* thing is ready to be retired. Hopefully, right along with the "I see what you did there"...er...meme.

xGeneral DEATHx @ Aug 26th 2008 2:26PM

I see what you di--**Assassinated**

RoboChamp @ Aug 26th 2008 11:26AM

Hope he enjoys the time with his family.

Wiinterfang @ Aug 26th 2008 11:30AM

Producers never get recognition sadly, is just that old Al Pachino movie.

Pika132 @ Aug 26th 2008 1:15PM

Do you mean that old Mel Brooks movie?

Anthony Perez @ Aug 26th 2008 11:46AM

As a gaming community, we should keep his mother in our prayers (if we still do those). He's obviously a talented guy and some time off with family should do him some good. Perhaps he'll even start an indie studio or create some XBLA or PSN games.

Mike @ Aug 26th 2008 11:49AM

I don't think being close to your family during a time of crisis necessarily qualifies your heart as being "as big as all outdoors."

Wiinterfang @ Aug 26th 2008 11:56AM

There's actually people that choose work over family, even if they have their parents sick, and then forever regret that they weren't with they on the last hours of his life, I know would have like to be with my father when he felt ill.

MasterInsan0 @ Aug 26th 2008 12:03PM

It's also possible that he left for some other reason that we don't know about and merely used his mom as an excuse to get out. After all, people usually merely take time off when a family member gets sick, not quit their job altogether.

FOXHOUND @ Aug 26th 2008 12:09PM

Granted, there's many people out there in the workforce who would and have done something like that; but given his cushy job & pay, let alone the type of person he's carried himself to be, I doubt it.

FOXHOUND @ Aug 26th 2008 12:07PM

After seeing all the podcasts and behind-the-scenes footage on the various extra discs for MGS, Ryan Payton seems like a pretty cool guy. I hope everything turns out okay for the family -- hopefully he'll also opt to return upon his mother's recovery. Not sure if he'll personally see this article -- but if he does, this METAL GEAR fan wishes him and his family the best. Take care, d00d. :]