Since Hideo Kojima left Konami, he has had the freedom to pursue his eccentric ideas. The first project he worked on wasDeath Stranding, and while it was a polarizing game, it did prove that Kojima is still capable of creating industry-defining games. However, a few years have passed since the game’s release, and fans are ready to see what else the legendary figure can create.
It appeared that gamers were about to get a glimpse of Kojima’s next project at Gamescom 2022. However, Kojima had other plans for his fans. In classic Kojima style, he managed to defy all expectations. While he did confirm that he is working on his upcoming games, which likely includeDeath Stranding’s sequel and his project with Microsoft, it appears gamers will not learn about them until he is ready.
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Hideo Kojima Raises Expectations
In the days leading up to Gamescom, Kojima had been giving out hints that an announcement of some sort was on the way, which had fans quite excited. On Twitter, he mentioned that he was “tentatively finished editing for now,” and he also posted an image of his work desk along with some video files. This led gamers to believe thatKojima was working on a trailerof some sort, which is not an outlandish guess, as the auteur is known for editing the trailers for his games, as was the case withDeath Stranding Director’s Cut.
There were a few games which Kojima could create a trailer for. Many of his fans suspected that he would finally showcase his upcoming project that Kojima Productions is working on in partnership with Microsoft. The game, which was announced this year, will make use of Microsoft’s cloud technology, though Kojima has yet to give many details about it. According to journalist Tom Henderson, it is ahorror game calledOverdose, and gamers will be able to control it via their mobile phone. He has also claimed that it will feature Margaret Qualley, who played Mama inDeath Stranding. Kojima could have also been working on a trailer forDeath Stranding 2, whichaccording to Norman Reedus, who played Sam Bridges inDeath Stranding,is in development.
Gamers familiar with Kojima greatly expected that he would show up atGamescom 2022, not just because it is one of the year’s biggest gaming events. Kojima is also close friends with Geoff Keighley, and he has a habit of saving big announcements for events hosted by him. Although Kojima did briefly show up at the event, what he revealed managed to surprise even his most ardent fans.
Hideo Kojima Subverts Expectations at Gamescom
Kojima’s segment at Gamescom’s opening night lasted less than two minutes, and he managed to reveal quite a bit. Though fans were expecting to see snippets of an upcoming game, they instead received the announcement that Kojima has partnered with Spotify to release a new podcast. Titled,Brain Structure, the podcast will feature various guests from different fields, and it will also include an industry news and entertainment section hosted by Keighley. The podcast will be available in Japanese and English, making it accessible to Kojima’s global audience, and it will launch in September.
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With a sarcastic “yay” and some clapping for himself following his announcement, Kojima seemed to be aware that his revelation was not quite what his fans were expecting, even if the podcast is greatly appreciated. It appears gamers will have to wait a little longer to discover what Kojima was “tentatively finished editing,” or whether the Tweet was merely a red herring. Fortunately, he did confirm that he is working on his new games, so while he did have some fun with his fans, they can rest assured thatKojima Productionsis still hard at work on its upcoming projects.
Hideo Kojima’s History of Trolling
Kojima is not a stranger to trolling his fans, and this is perhaps most prominently seen in his games which frequently set up expectations that they then shatter. WithMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, marketing before the game’s release led gamers to believe that they would be playing as Solid Snake once again. However, he was the playable character for the prologue alone, and gamers play as Raiden for the remainder of the game.
WithDeath Stranding, Kojima subverts expectations once again by taking an act as simple as hiking and making deliveries and managing to craft an entire game around it. Although gamers expect a walking simulator,Death Strandingturns out to be a complex sci-fi game that explores themes of human loneliness and mortality. Perhaps his greatest stunt was with thecanceledSilent Hillsgame, which had Kojima creating a fake studio and releasingP.T.to reveal the game.
In his games, he also manages to inject a fair bit of humor, regardless of how serious the subject matter may be. For most of theMetal Gear Solidseries, it has been a running joke that Kojima will insert himself into the game somehow. This is seen, for instance, inMetal Gear Solid 5where Solid Snake can rescue Kojima. He continues the running joke withDeath Stranding, where he appears as a BT in Sam’s Private Room. It remains to be seen whether he will find a way to sneak himself intoOverdoseorDeathStranding’s sequel.
With Kojima’s lengthy experience in the gaming industry,Brain Structureis sure to be an informative podcast, especially for anyone wishing to know more about the inner workings of Kojima’s mind. Kojima has not been the only notable feature at Gamescom’s opening night, as gamers were treated to trailers forHogwarts Legacy,Sonic Frontiers, andGotham Knights, to name a few. The event will continue to run until 28 August, and there are plenty more announcements and presentations planned.
Death Strandingis available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
