Hideo Kojima has been speaking about storytelling and the process of writing and adapting the narrative of a game in the latest video series The Game Makers (you can watch it all here), and his words have given some interesting insight into not just his mind process while writing a game, but also into his upcoming hugely anticipated title Death Stranding.
One of the most interesting things he said was the fact that he is not interesting in the technique of having multiple endings in a game, a trend that seems to be in fashion these days. Rather, Kojima wants the story to be set in concrete.
“There’s the multi-ending story technique and that’s a technique I’m not very interested in,” Kojima says. “I hope to make video games where the player’s destiny is set, and it’s really a matter of how the player takes the initiative. Using their willpower, courage and wisdom, to move the story forward.”
“In that context, the player joins forces with other users and build bridges and makes connections in the storytelling,” he continued. “That’s what I hope to create, and that’s something I’m currently thinking a lot about.”
That’s definitely an interesting approach, and it’s good to see Kojima sticking to his vision staunchly. Having a concrete story in mind with a definite beginning and ending is bound to help the experience, and given Kojima’s intense focus on storytelling in all his games, that is a great thing. There’s a lot of interesting stuff in the video series, so watch it through the link above.
Stay tuned for more updates on Death Stranding.