Earlier this week rumors spread throughout social media that Konami was closing their Los Angeles studio, formerly dubbed under the title of Kojima Productions. Notable figures in gaming sent out tweets giving their regards and indicating that a closure was coming.

Senior Producer of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sam Thompson, had this to say

Really sad news about the loss of Konami's Los Angeles studio. Happy thoughts to all those affected. End of an era for sure, stay strong.

— Venice Beach Gandalf (@PortableKingpin) November 2, 2015

George Broussard, co-creator of Duke Nukem, added

BREAKING: Rumor tells me that Konami has shut down the Kojima Productions LA studio, taking with it approx 35 jobs, just before Xmas.

— George Broussard (@georgeb3dr) November 3, 2015

No official confirmation had been given until now. In a statement sent to Polygon today, Konami confirmed the studio’s closure.

Konami has made the decision to close its Los Angeles Studio, effective immediately, due to the product development resources being restructured into a more centralized unit. This facility contributed to the recent Metal Gear Solid games. Konami will continue its operations to support all Metal Gear Solid titles, including the recently launched Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Online. Metal Gear Online is still scheduled to release for PC Steam in January 2016.

After being announced during a panel regarding Metal Gear’s Fox Engine, the Kojima Productions Los Angeles Studio was opened in September 2013 . According to Joe Juba of Game Informer, the studio was officially opened in a “traditional Japanese ceremony” with Hideo Kojima and Metal Gear art director Yoji Shinkawa drinking sake from wooden cups and toasting to the “venture’s future success.”

The studio was renamed to Konami Los Angeles Studio earlier this year, when Hideo Kojima’s name and studio logo were removed from Konami’s website and Metal Gear Solid V promotional materials.

Kojima reportedly had officially left Konami last month but Konami rescinded those reports stating Kojima was “on vacation.“