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| A screengrab from Hideo Kojima's Wired interview |
Hideo Kojima isn’t just making games—he’s conducting a one-man symphony of ideas. In a series of revealing interviews this year, the legendary auteur has peeled back the curtain on his singular creative process, shared stark warnings about technology, and critiqued the very industry he helped shape. Most recently, he turned the interviewer’s microphone on himself for Wired’s Tech Support series, offering candid answers to fan questions that range from the philosophical to the fiercely practical.
For Kojima, building a world isn’t just about code and design documents; it’s an act of personal infusion. He told Wired that he finds it essential to blend his own passions into his work, ensuring players feel what he describes as “the creator’s love” in every detail. This philosophy demands constant experimentation, a refusal to settle, and a hands-on approach that few at his level still maintain.
"I don’t have a team of experts researching history for me," Kojima explained. His method is more personal and voracious: daily book reading, documentary deep-dives, scrolling news feeds, and even old-fashioned trips to the library. This self-driven research fuels the dense, referential worlds he’s famous for. He joked about his process, stating, “If you’re watching and thinking, ‘I’ll be Kojima’s right-hand man!’, please contact me.”
But being Kojima’s right-hand man would require immense stamina for detail. He personally fine-tunes game difficulty, narrative pacing, and audio, switching between speakers and headphones to perfect the experience. “It’s a very crucial stage,” he emphasized. “Not many do this, I think.”
This meticulous, director-led approach is deeply influenced by his love for cinema, a thread that runs through all his projects. It’s also shaping his next big venture. Kojima offered a tantalizing hint about Physint, his upcoming action-espionage game for PlayStation, which is in early conceptual stages. “We’re thinking of working with film people,” he revealed, “not only in terms of cast but also staff.” This suggests a project that could further blur the lines between interactive and cinematic media.
To understand Kojima's unique style, see this highlight from a recent presentation that captures his cinematic approach to game design.
The Prophetic Warning of MGS2 and a Cautious View on AI
Conversation inevitably turned to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, a game celebrated for its eerily accurate predictions about digital culture and misinformation. Kojima clarified his intent: it was never a prophecy of AI domination, but a cautionary tale.
“For MGS2, I didn’t predict AI, but rather a future I didn’t desire,” he stated. “Unfortunately, we are heading there.”
His view on modern artificial intelligence is nuanced. He acknowledges AI’s potential to simplify lives but warns of a profound cost to creativity. “Games and art are no longer considered special,” he lamented, suggesting that the democratization and automation of creation could dilute its cultural value. In his view, the unique spark of human-driven artistry—that “creator’s love”—is at risk.
Indie Innovation vs. AAA “Boredom”
Kojima didn’t reserve his criticism for hypothetical futures. He took aim at the present state of the gaming industry, drawing a sharp line between daring indie developers and risk-averse major studios.
He applauded indie creators for pushing boundaries and delivering innovative, engaging experiences that rival blockbusters. In contrast, he criticized many AAA studios for repeatedly playing it safe, churning out what he called “things that are safe and tremendously boring.” For the founder of a fiercely independent studio, this championing of the creative underdog is both a philosophy and a battle cry.
For fans eager to dive deeper into Kojima’s meticulously crafted worlds, his art books are masterclasses in design. Explore the visual journey of his latest epic:
Discover The Art of Death Stranding on Amazon
Hideo Kojima remains a restless prophet in the gaming world. He is part filmmaker, part game designer, and part cultural critic, constantly experimenting, warning, and inviting players to feel the passion behind the pixels. As AI advances and the industry grapples with its identity, his insistence on the human touch, the personal obsession, and the courage to be weird feels more vital than ever. One thing is certain: whether you agree with him or not, you can always feel the creator’s love.