In a recent interview with ssense, Hideo Kojima went over the current situation in the gaming industry, calling out everything that is not ok. Between a few mysterious lines about killing techniques, he called out the lack of originality in AAA games.
When talking about realism in military games during the interview, Kojima casually mentioned knowing how to dismantle a gun. He also stated that it is sad that people who make military games most likely do not know how guns even function in the first place. When asked if he knew how to do so, he said:
“Yes, because I’ve been doing this training as well… and I learned so many ways to kill people.“
And that’s it. No context. No follow-up. Just Kojima being Kojima, offering mysterious statements and leaving it at that. Just a chilling flex that could have even been pulled straight from one of his games! Of course, with Kojima, it is hard to know where the persona ends and the person begins. But behind the mysterious act, he also had serious things to say.
Kojima Is Not Impressed With Today’s Games
Kojima also used the interview to talk about the current state of the gaming industry, especially around big-budget titles. After watching this year’s Summer Game Fest, he was quite disappointed. During the interview, he said:
“Everything previewed involved fighting an alien monster or a medieval monster… Even the visuals and the systems are pretty much the same.”
He acknowledged that many players enjoy these types of games, but pointed out the need for originality and innovation, qualities he feels are completely disappearing from blockbuster studios. And he is not wrong.
Both Kojima and the majority of gamers, today, believe that the most interesting games are now coming from indie developers. We already saw the shift this year, with amazing indie games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Split Fiction, or even Blue Prince. Meanwhile, AAA studios are playing it safe, offering what he calls “tremendously boring” experiences.
According to him, this is one of the main reason so many studios are currently closing or laying off staff. The lack of risks taken and innovations, pushes players to look for more original things. People are sick of playing the same games over and over.
Still Thinking in Kojima-Vision
Kojima, now 61, has not lost his appetite for risk. He went all-in on Death Stranding, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach remains just as weird, but also just as amazing. Next, he is preparing two really different games. The first one is Physint, a sort of mix between spying game and action, a bit in the style of Metal Gear. The second one is OD, a more supernatural horror project described as “something totally different.” This one is really exciting to me, being a fan of horror games!
Kojima also said he reads all the reviews and reactions, but he does not let them affect him. He knows his games are not for everyone, and reviews can go from 0 to 10 on the same game.
“The real evaluations come after 10 or 20 years from now,” he says.
You may see him as a genius or an eccentric, but one thing is sure, Hideo Kojima will never be boring. He will always try to deliver new and unique games. And even if they are a bit weird, they are also games you want to play at least once, and that do not feel like it is just another similar action or adventure game.
And for more gaming information, you can also check out our latest news! We will update you as soon as more details release about the two new games he prepares!
