LOL at that rumor, billions of dollars? Who in the right mind would believe that amount

Silent Hill never reached Resident Evil numbers, it was a neat series that did well enough for more sequels until Konami mismanaged the original team.
Also Silent Hills wasn't penned as an exclusive game, people assumed it might've been. It would make sense if Konami dropped the project outright if Sony backed down on giving Konami money for it or if Sony wasn't giving Konami enough. Kojima bitches at Konami for being greedy, Konami execs tell him to shut the fuck up and make Metal Gear, Kojima doesn't renew his contract or Konami doesn't give him that option.
Either or, Silent Hills as it was got hype for the people involved. If Microsoft can bring all those dudes back together, the salt and bitching will be extraordinary.