There may finally be a light at the end of the tunnel for Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. According to a report by Polygon, Kojima’s double secret probation (i.e. his non-compete clause) with former employer Konami Corp has finally ended, and now Kojima reportedly has plans to open a new studio, possibly through a partnership with Sony Corp.

As usual, however, details are sparse about Kojima’s plans. For nearly a year, Kojima has been going through a mysterious yet highly publicized split from Konami Corp, who has kept a tight lid on whatever really happened. Of course, this only leaves fans with wild speculation, such as the popular (and unlikely) rumor that Kojima had an affair with an executive’s spouse.

So far, Konami has been so tight-lipped about the Kojima situation that the publisher has yet to officially admit that Kojima is no longer with the company. As recently as October, Konami refuted reports saying that Kojima would be free to pursue new work after December 15, saying at the time that Kojima was still an employee of the company.

That line seems hard to believe now, especially after Konami’s lawyers reportedly barred Kojima from accepting awards for the recently released Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. At the recent Game Awards, show host Geoff Keighley told the audience that Kojima wanted to attend but was told by Konami’s lawyers that he could not.

“He’s under an employment contract and it’s disappointing, and it’s inconceivable to me that an artist like Hideo would not be allowed to come here and celebrate with his peers and his fellow teammates for such an incredible game as Metal Gear Solid V,” Keighley said at the time. “But that’s the situation we’re in. Hideo is in Tokyo right now watching the show, so we wanted you to know, Hideo, that we’re thinking of you, and we miss you. We hope to see you at The Game Awards 2016.”

“Hideo Kojima 20100702 Japan Expo 1” by Georges Seguin (Okki) – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.