Metal Gear creator Kojima was barred from attending Game Awards function, per an announcement by host Geoff Keighley. A lawyer for Konami reportedly barred Kojima from attending, nor accept his awards. The Phantom Pain’s Kiefer Sutherland accepted one of Metal Gear’s awards on his behalf. When the news was revealed, the audience boo’d in protest.

@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN congrats, we miss you my friend!

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 4, 2015

“As you noticed Hideo Kojima is not here with us tonight and I want to tell you a little bit about that,” explained Keighley. “Mr. Kojima had every intention of being with us tonight but unfortunately he was informed by a lawyer representing Konami just recently that he would not be allowed to travel to tonight’s awards ceremony to accept any awards.”

“He’s still 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.”

Metal Gear Solid V won best action/adventure game during the show. The award was accepted on behalf of Kojima and the Kojima Productions team by Kiefer Sutherland, voice of Snake in MGSV.

Hideo Kojima had finally parted ways with Konami after a long-running feud between the two, although Konami officially denied Kojima had left, insisting Kojima remained listed as a company employee.