Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind Death Stranding and former Metal Gear Solid director, is no stranger to pushing boundaries and challenging conventional gaming norms. In a recent interview with Wired Japan, he made it clear that he’s not particularly keen on adhering to established genres. When asked about his future direction, Kojima stated, “I want to pioneer a new genre, so I don’t focus much on existing ones.”
Before the release of the first Death Stranding, Kojima was adamant about his ambition to reinvent the gaming experience. He even tweeted ahead of the launch that, “Death Stranding is not a stealth game. It is a brand new action game with the concept of connection (strand). I call it Social Strand System, or simply Strand Game.” It’s safe to say that this unique genre has left its mark, influencing at least one other game in the process—mission accomplished?
Despite his groundbreaking successes, Kojima isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He has a plethora of ideas still waiting to be explored. “World-wise, maybe hard sci-fi,” he mused, expressing his love for space settings. “I’m also a fan of Westerns, so maybe that. Or a period piece, but those exist already. So I’m thinking about what to do.”
For now, fans can look forward to several upcoming projects from Kojima. One of the titles in the works is an intriguing horror game known as OD, a Hollywood-backed experiment that even Kojima himself admits is a bit of a mystery in terms of its final outcome. Following that, it seems he’s ready to return to his roots with Physint, an action-espionage game that promises to blend elements of the genre he’s known for.
Kojima has always emphasized the importance of leaving an impression on players. As he puts it, “Things that are too comfortable won’t stick with players, so I like to leave a bit of discomfort or friction.” With that mindset, it’s no wonder fans are eager to see what he’ll conjure up next.
Stay tuned for more updates on Hideo Kojima’s endeavors as he continues to redefine the gaming landscape.