Hideo Kojima Leaves USB Stick of Ideas for Staff, Similar to a Will

Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed game designer behind titles like Death Stranding and the Metal Gear series, recently shared intriguing insights into his creative process and future plans. In an interview with Edge magazine, as reported by VGC, Kojima revealed that he has compiled a USB stick of game ideas for his staff at Kojima Productions to use after his passing, describing it as a kind of will. This decision was influenced by his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he faced serious illness and an eye operation, prompting him to reflect on his mortality and the future of his studio.

Kojima's health challenges led him to question how many more years he has to create, estimating perhaps a decade. This introspection not only spurred him to take on new projects but also to ensure the longevity of Kojima Productions beyond his lifetime. He expressed a desire for his studio to continue innovating rather than merely managing existing intellectual property.

Kojima has been thinking about what happens once he's gone. Photo by John Phillips/[ttpp].

In a recent episode of his Japanese radio podcast KOJI10, Kojima discussed how the passage of time in real life can be integrated into video games. He shared concepts that he has considered but not yet implemented, including an idea from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach where the protagonist's beard would grow, requiring players to shave it to keep the character looking neat. This concept was ultimately scrapped to avoid portraying star Norman Reedus as unkempt, but Kojima hinted at its potential use in future projects.

Kojima also revealed three innovative game concepts centered around the passage of time. The first is a life simulation where the player ages from childhood to old age, affecting their abilities and strategies in the game. The second concept involves players nurturing something that matures over time, like wine or cheese, suggesting a game that could be played over an extended period. The third concept, dubbed the "forgetting game," challenges players to play quickly to prevent the protagonist from forgetting crucial skills and information, with the risk of becoming immobile if the game is neglected.

Currently, Kojima and Kojima Productions are engaged in multiple high-profile projects. Alongside Death Stranding 2, they are developing a live-action Death Stranding film with A24, a video game and movie hybrid titled Physint for Sony, and a game called OD for Xbox Game Studios. However, the ongoing video game actors strike has impacted the production timelines for OD and Physint, leaving their release dates uncertain.