For years now, we’ve been seeing Hideo Kojima proudly declare with all the games he directs that it’s “A Hideo Kojima Game”, and that’s not going to change with Death Stranding. But game development – especially on this scale, and in today’s day and age – is a collaborative effort, and no one person is single-handedly responsible for creating an entire game. So why exactly does Kojima brand his games this way?
It’s something he’s spoken about in the past, and recently, with Death Stranding’s release approaching, Kojima took to Twitter one again to explain the concept.
Kojima explained that games that bear the stamp of being “A Hideo Kojima Game” are the projects that he’s been heavily involved in from top to bottom. Kojima mentioned several disciplines that he had his hand in during development, including conceptualization, production, game direction writing the scenario, writing the script, creating the setting, game design, casting, difficulty adjustments, promotions, visual design, editing, and supervising the merchandizing. He followed this up with another tweet, adding, “I don’t name this for titles that I don’t make original idea, game design, or produce.”
In a set of more tweets posted later, Kojima also made sure to thank his staff, his publishers at Sony, the cast of his game, and of course, the fans who’re looking forward to the game’s release. Interestingly enough, he mentioned those who followed him from Konami, those that joined up “from different game studios or totally different industries”, as well as those that served as outsourced help during the game’s development.
Death Stranding is out on November 8, exclusively for the PS4. Another recent Kojima tweet suggested that the game’s launch trailer could be arriving pretty soon.
A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME means the declaration of me doing concept, produce, original story, script, setting, game design, casting, dealing, directing, difficulty adjustments, promoting, visual design, editing, supervising the merch. pic.twitter.com/Th7f5S6vpU
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 22, 2019
I don’t name this for titles that I don’t make original idea, game design or produce.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN/status/1175991120762814464
DEATH STRANDING is developed by newly established Kojima Productions. Some staff came from my old team but many came to join from different game studios or totally different industries. We even have freshman employees. We received support from outsourcing, I thank them too. pic.twitter.com/g6nS6EWykB
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 23, 2019
But since it is “A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME”, I believe I can assure you my taste and quality that you can find in my previous titles.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 23, 2019
