Hideo Kojima Calls Out AAA Game Industry's Lack of Innovation
Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, recently shared his candid thoughts on the state of the AAA game industry. In an interview with SSENSE, Kojima expressed his belief that the big-budget gaming sector has reached a creative standstill, confessing that he rarely plays major titles because, to him, they all "look and feel alike."
Kojima highlighted his observations during the Summer Game Fest presentation, where he noticed a striking similarity across many game trailers. He pointed out that most featured characters battling either aliens or fantasy monsters, with very little distinguishing them in terms of visual style or gameplay systems. "Even the visual style and game systems are nearly indistinguishable," he remarked. "I understand many people enjoy this, but the industry truly needs something new."
In Kojima's view, the wellspring of fresh ideas often originates from the indie development scene, while large publishers tend to play it safe and avoid creative risks. His disinterest in familiar concepts was humorously underscored when asked if he would play the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3 remake; Kojima simply laughed and replied, "No, I will not." He also recounted a less-than-impressive experience consulting a studio on stealth mechanics. "People making military games often can't even disassemble or fire a weapon," he observed, adding, perhaps with characteristic dark humor, that he himself knows how to disassemble weapons and many ways to "eliminate people."
Despite his critique of current trends, Kojima's own ambitions remain boundless and uniquely innovative. He previously stated his dream of creating a game set in space. To achieve this, he's prepared to undergo training, learn docking procedures, and even live on the International Space Station (ISS). "I'm not a scientist, but perhaps I can develop games in orbit. I want to be the first," he stated at the Sydney Film Festival, noting that many astronauts are over 60, making the feat seem possible for him.
Adding another layer to his evolving career path, Kojima also recently hinted at a potential temporary shift from video games to film. He mentioned in an interview that after completing his current projects, including Death Stranding 2, OD, and Physint, he would consider directing a movie, provided Kojima Productions is in a suitable state. Kojima's outspoken comments serve as a powerful call for greater creativity and risk-taking within the gaming industry, challenging developers and publishers to push beyond conventional boundaries and embrace true innovation.
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