Hideo Kojima, the renowned game designer, has recently shared insights into his creative process and future plans, including a surprising revelation about a USB stick filled with game ideas intended for his team at Kojima Productions to use after his passing. This disclosure came during an interview with Edge magazine, where Kojima discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic and personal health issues prompted a significant shift in his outlook on life and work.
Turning 60 and facing serious illness and an eye operation during the pandemic led Kojima to confront his mortality and reconsider his career trajectory. "I fell seriously ill at that time, and also had an eye operation. Until then, I didn’t think I was old, you know? I just didn’t feel my age, and I assumed I would be able to create for as long as I live," he reflected. The realization that he might only have a decade left to create games and films spurred him to ensure the future of his studio beyond his lifetime.
Kojima has been thinking about what happens once he's gone. Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures.
To safeguard the future of Kojima Productions, Kojima prepared a USB stick, which he described as "kind of like a will," containing all his game ideas. He entrusted this to his personal assistant, expressing his hope that his team could continue innovating and developing new projects. "Perhaps they could continue to make things after I’m gone at Kojima Productions… This is a fear for me: what happens to Kojima Productions after I’m gone? I don’t want them to just manage our existing IP," he stated.
In addition to these future plans, Kojima has been exploring how real-life time mechanics can enhance video game experiences. In a recent episode of his Japanese radio podcast KOJI10, he discussed various concepts, including one that was initially planned for "Death Stranding 2: On The Beach" but was ultimately scrapped. "I’ve thought about having characters’ hair grow in games," Kojima said, explaining that he had considered having Sam's beard grow over time, requiring players to shave it to maintain his appearance. However, due to the star power of Norman Reedus, the idea was dropped to avoid portraying him in an unflattering manner.
Kojima also shared three innovative game concepts centered around the passage of time:
Game of Life: This concept would see the player character grow from a child to an elderly person, with gameplay mechanics reflecting the character's aging. As the character ages, their physical abilities decline, but their knowledge and experience increase, affecting strategic gameplay. Despite the innovative idea, Kojima humorously noted, "But no-one would buy it!"
Maturation Game: This game would involve players nurturing something that matures over time, like wine or cheese, requiring long-term engagement and potentially functioning as an idle game.
Forgetting Game: In this concept, the main character would gradually forget crucial information and abilities if the player took extended breaks from the game. The forgetfulness would escalate until the player could no longer progress, humorously suggesting players might need to take time off work or school to complete it.
Kojima Productions is currently juggling multiple high-profile projects. Alongside "Death Stranding 2," Kojima is collaborating on a live-action "Death Stranding" film with A24, known for acclaimed films like "Everything Everywhere All At Once." He's also working on "OD" for Xbox Game Studios and a video game and movie hybrid titled "Physint" for Sony. However, release dates for "OD" and "Physint" remain uncertain, with production delays attributed to the ongoing video game actors strike.
With these ambitious projects and forward-thinking plans, Hideo Kojima continues to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment, ensuring his legacy and the future of Kojima Productions remain vibrant and innovative.
