Hideo Kojima is nothing short of a legend in this business. He’s one of the most recognisable personalities in the industry, having spent the last few decades contributing to (or outright creating) some of the most impressive games we’ve ever seen. His genius continues next month with the release of Death Stranding 2.
Recently, the icon revealed that he has assembled a gaming-based will of sorts and has entrusted a USB stick loaded with ideas for new titles to his assistant. When he passes away, it’s to be unsealed, and Kojima Productions will continue creating with the man himself leading them in spirit.
Gone But Not Forgotten
In a recent release of Edge Magazine, Hideo Kojima reflected on his life. He spoke about health concerns and the all-time low he hit when he suffered immeasurably during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that an illness and undergoing an operation made him notice his age.
He turns 62 this year, and he’s not ready to slow down – but he recognises that the decision might not be up to him.
I became sick, and I couldn’t create anything. And I saw lots of people around me passing away at that time. I was confronted with death. Of course, I recovered, but now I was thinking, ‘Wait, how many years do I have left to make game or a film?’ Perhaps I have ten years?
He then revealed his master plan to ensure that his ideas don’t go to waste when he inevitably passes on:
I gave a USB stick with all my ideas on it to my personal assistant, kind of like a will.
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.
(Thanks to VGC for the spot)
Hideo Kojima has been creating games since the mid-1980s, before which he was trying to break into the movie industry. He pieced together Metal Gear during his second or third year in the business, and today, that IP is still going strong.
Kojima opened an independent studio in 2015, breaking away from Konami after many years at the company.
What do you think Kojima has assembled on that USB stick? Let me know on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Bungie has responded to the Marathon plagiarism claims
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
This guy needs someone to reign him in. His good work was when he Konami to temper the artist and focus him into something playable. From GZ and V to Death Stranding, we see someone living off his legacy to sell low grade content.