Ever since Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, news on the Metal Gear Solid franchise has disappointed fans. The only new games the series has seen since then have been Metal Gear Survive and multiple Metal Gear Solid pachinko machines, as Konami retains total ownership. However, Kojima just gave fans a little bit of hope that Sony may have been able to get his creation back into his hands.
Rumors of Sony trying to acquire the Metal Gear franchise from Konami have been circulating since Kojima Productions was acquired by Sony. Such a thing would be a dream scenario for fans of Kojima's work, especially since evidence that Metal Gear Solid V's development was cut short and rushed. These rumors may have some new evidence behind them, as Kojima seems to pay homage to Metal Gear in Death Stranding: Director's Cut's reveal trailer.
In the trailer, Sam Bridges enters a warehouse that's structured to look like a classic Metal Gear level with armed guards patrolling around the warehouse. Bridges grabs a box that bears Fragile Express's motto "Handled with Love" from a nearby warehouse shelf and dumps out a bunch of oranges before climbing into the box. This is clearly meant to reference how Big Boss used boxes in MGSV.
The trailer ends with Bridges second-guessing the plan and walking away from the box. On the surface, it's a clear and loving homage to the fan-favorite stealth series. However, some fans are taking this to mean that Kojima may be working on a new Metal Gear game. After all, Kojima isn't the type to make such an obvious reference to his previous work front and center.
Ultimately, there are three possible explanations for this trailer. It could be a tease of things to come, perhaps serving as a clever way to tell fans that Kojima Productions' next game is a Metal Gear title. It could also just be a fun nod towards Hideo Kojima's past work. However, the third, perhaps most likely, interpretation is that the developer wants fans to know he is moving on from Metal Gear Solid -- and that fans should too.
Outside of unconfirmed rumors and speculation, no news about Sony trying to buy Kojima's old IPs from Konami has surfaced. Neither Sony nor Konami have said anything regarding the rumors. Kojima, however, did comment on the matter back in 2020. In an interview, Kojima stated that there was no truth to the rumors that Sony wanted to buy Metal Gear Solid or Silent Hill from Konami.
Since then, there have been no indications that Sony has acquired or attempted to acquire the rights to Kojima's old series, nor has there been any news about new Metal Gear Solid or Silent Hill games. While Death Stranding did have a few minor references to Metal Gear Solid scattered throughout the game, it seems that Kojima is perfectly content with leaving the past in the past. The reference during Death Stranding: Director's Cut's trailer may have simply been just that: a fun reference.
Sam Bridges walking away from the cardboard box could be Kojima telling fans that he's walked away from Metal Gear for good. Until there's an official confirmation one way or the other, it may be best for fans to keep their expectations low and simply view Death Stranding: Director's Cut's trailer as just a homage to Kojima's past work. After all, this could just be Kojima being Kojima.