Metal Gear Creator Hideo Kojima Says He’s Left His Staff a USB Stick of Ideas for After He Dies, ‘Kind of Like a Will’

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind numerous groundbreaking video games, has recently shared insights into his creative process and future plans, including a unique approach to ensuring his legacy continues after his passing. In an interview with Edge magazine, as reported by VGC, Kojima discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic and a serious illness shifted his perspective on life and his career.

Approaching his 60th birthday, Kojima initially didn't feel his age until the pandemic forced him to confront mortality. "Turning 60 was less of a turning point in my life than my experiences during the pandemic," he remarked. After falling seriously ill and undergoing an eye operation, Kojima began to question how much time he had left to create games and films, estimating perhaps another decade.

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

This introspection led Kojima to compile a USB stick filled with his game ideas, which he handed to his personal assistant as a sort of "will." This move is intended to secure the future of Kojima Productions beyond his lifetime. "I gave a USB stick with all my ideas on it to my personal assistant, kind of like a will," he explained. "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."

In addition to these revelations, Kojima has been exploring innovative game mechanics related to the passage of time. In a recent episode of his Japanese radio podcast KOJI10, he discussed several discarded concepts, including one from the upcoming "Death Stranding 2: On The Beach." Originally, he planned for the protagonist Sam's beard to grow over time, requiring players to shave it to keep him looking neat. However, due to the star power of Norman Reedus, who plays Sam, Kojima decided against it, though he remains open to using this mechanic in future projects.

Kojima also shared three other game concepts centered around time. The first is a "game of life" where the player ages from childhood to old age, affecting their physical abilities and strategic approach to gameplay. The second involves creating something that matures over time, like wine or cheese, suggesting a long-term, idle game. Lastly, he proposed a "forgetting game" where the protagonist loses important information and abilities if the player takes breaks, culminating in the character's inability to move if not played regularly.

Amidst these creative explorations, Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions, are juggling multiple high-profile projects. Alongside "Death Stranding 2," they are developing a live-action "Death Stranding" film with A24, "OD" for Xbox Game Studios, and a video game and movie hybrid titled "Physint" for Sony. However, the ongoing video game actors strike has delayed "OD" and "Physint," leaving their release dates uncertain.

Kojima's forward-thinking approach to game design and his efforts to ensure the longevity of his studio highlight his commitment to innovation and legacy in the gaming industry.