Konami is allegedly discussing plans for its next Metal Gear Solid game, according to Japanese financial paper Nikkei.

A Konami representative was quoted as saying that "When we start development [on MGS], a large-scale investment will become necessary."

No indication has been given thus far as to Hideo Kojima's participation in the future of the franchise.

Given that Konami removed Kojima's name from packaging of Metal Gear Solid V, however, his involvement seems unlikely.

The Nikkei report comes as reports emerge that Kojima Productions LA has been shut down by the publisher, and that Kojima himself has left the company (a notion denied by Konami).

Kojima LA's closure, reported on by a number of prominent developers, will see twenty jobs cut from the studio that was once working on both Metal Gear Solid V and Silent Hills.

MGSV has shipped five million units worldwide.