Hideo Kojima Leaves USB Stick of Ideas for Staff, 'Like a Will'

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind numerous groundbreaking video games, has recently shared some intriguing insights into his creative process and future plans, including a unique approach to ensuring the legacy of Kojima Productions.

In an interview with Edge magazine, as reported by VGC, Kojima revealed that turning 60 had less impact on him than the experiences he faced during the global pandemic. A serious illness and an eye operation made him confront his mortality, prompting a significant shift in his perspective on life and work. "Until then, I didn’t think I was old, you know? I just didn’t feel my age, and I assumed I would be able to create for as long as I live," he stated. However, his health challenges led him to question how many years he had left to create, estimating perhaps another decade.

This realization led Kojima to embark on new projects and to take a proactive step toward the future of his studio. He disclosed that he had given a USB stick to his personal assistant, filled with his game ideas, likening it to 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," he explained.

Kojima has been thinking about what happens once he's gone. Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures.

In addition to these personal reflections, Kojima has been exploring innovative game mechanics that incorporate real-life time passing. In a recent episode of his Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, he discussed several scrapped and potential ideas. One notable concept from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach involved the protagonist Sam's beard growing over time, requiring the player to shave it to prevent Sam from looking unkempt. However, this idea was dropped due to concerns about the appearance of actor Norman Reedus.

Kojima also shared three other game concepts centered around the passage of time. The first is a life simulation game where the player character ages from childhood to old age, impacting their abilities and strategies in dealing with in-game challenges. Another idea involves a game where players nurture something that matures over time, such as wine or cheese, which could function as a background or idle game. Lastly, he proposed a "forgetting game," where the main character loses important information and abilities if the player takes too long a break, ultimately becoming unable to move if neglected for too long.

Currently, Kojima Productions is juggling multiple high-profile projects. Alongside Death Stranding 2, Kojima is collaborating on a live-action Death Stranding film with A24, developing OD for Xbox Game Studios, and working on a video game and movie hybrid titled Physint for Sony. However, delays due to the ongoing video game actors strike have affected the timelines for OD and Physint, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further updates.

As Kojima continues to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment, his thoughtful approach to his legacy and innovative game concepts ensure that his influence will be felt for years to come, even as he plans for the future beyond his own tenure.