For some, making games is a job that they can quit at any point. However, for Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series and Death Stranding, video game is more than just a job. Considered the auteur of video games, Kojima took to X on December 16 to share his views about making games as well as his decision to go independent.
“The reason why I am independent and advocate a life-long career is because for me, “creating things” is no longer a job,” Kojima wrote. “That’s why there is no retirement. Creating things is living.”
There are only a few people around the globe who left major game studios and became successful as independent developers. The fewness of that number is enough to make anyone trying to go the same route have a rethink. According to Hideo Kojima, this was the reason why a lot of people opposed his decision to go independent when he started.
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“Eight years ago, when I started my own company, I was opposed by everyone, including my peers, colleagues, and relatives, who said, “It will never work!”” Kojima wrote. “They said it was impossible without the financial and organizational strength of a company. However, someone must prove that that is an old-fashioned way of thinking. Young creators must be given freedom of choice. This is one of the reasons why I continue to “create things””.
Kojima partners with A24 for Death Stranding live-action movie
Since going independent, Hideo Kojima has defied all the odds stacked against him. Released in 2019 by Kojima Productions, A24 has now partnered with Kojima to make Death Stranding into a live-action movie. A24 is the same film production and distribution company behind Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All At Once and Moonlight.
“The movie promises to delve into the mysteries surrounding the apocalyptic event called the ‘Death Stranding’, which blurred the lines between life and death, and brought nightmarish creatures into a world on the brink of collapse,” explained Kojima Productions.
To celebrate the collaboration, A24 also announced that DS-inspired logo tees were now available in their shop. Kojima had confirmed that the DS movie was in development shortly after the announcement of DS2 last December. Instead of a big blockbuster, Kojima said he was “aiming for a more arthouse approach”.
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“A24 was born into this world about 10 years ago, their presence is singular within the industry, they are like no other,” Kojima explained in the statement released on December 14. “The films they are delivering to the world are high in quality and very innovative.”
“There are a lot of ‘game adaptation movies’ out there but what we are creating is not just a direct translation of the game. The intention is that our audience will not only be fans of the games, but our movie will be for anyone who loves cinema. We are creating a ‘Death Stranding’ universe that has never been seen before, achievable only through the medium of movie, it will be born.”
Sony published DS for PS4 in November 2019 while 505 handled the game’s publication on PC in July 2020. DS Director’s Cut was released on PS5 in 2021 and on PC the following year. Kojima Productions revealed that over 16 million players have engaged with Death Stranding across all platforms including subscription services like PC Game Pass and PlayStation Plus.
Hideo Kojima teams up with Jordan Peele on a new IP called OD
One of the wow moments of The Game Awards was when Hideo Kojima announced his upcoming title OD. According to Kojima, OD “is a completely new game that has never been seen before”. The just-over-a-minute teaser trailer featured Sofia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier.
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“I really like to challenge new things,” Kojima said while on stage at The Game Awards. “This is one with the help of Xbox Game Studios and using their Cloud Gaming technology, I’m doing this together. It is a game, don’t get me wrong. At the same time it’s a movie at the same time it’s a new form of media.”
Jordan Peele who has carved a niche in the horror genre then appeared on stage and revealed he would be working on the title with Kojima. For many, it would be an unlikely team-up of two greats across two different media forms.
“He’s been an inspiration to me, and the opportunity to collaborate with him is truly incredible,” said Peele.
VGC has claimed that Kojima may have made a reference to the Silent Hills series in the teaser trailer for OD. According to Chris Scullion of VGC, “While Kier is talking to the camera, faint letters appear in his mouth during five separate frames, which can be seen easier if the video’s brightness levels are adjusted”.
