Legendary game developer Hideo Kojima visiting Malmo and games conference Nordic Game in 2016. photo: Emil Langvad, TT
If you can name a single game developers, then the probability is quite high that that name is Hideo Kojima. The 52-year-old Japanese has become an icon in the game world, and this week he visited Sweden.
“Do not enter the gaming industry.” Kojima well remember family and friends’ admonitions about 30 years ago. Since then much has happened. From being an obscure employment for young men in dark cellars today video and computer games have taken a natural place in the community.
The games have also evolved into something that requires more than sheer dexterity and triggers more areas in the brain than the pure reward mechanisms. Kojima has been part of the development. He does not want the players to play his game, they will experience them.
– I love good movies because they convey a message that sticks in me. Since my games take up a big part of people’s time, I want to compensate by getting them to think, he says at a press conference in Malmo.
Politics and Philosophy
Both politics and philosophical issues are present in Kojima’s creations, especially in the million-selling action game series Metal Gear. He wants the games to affect the players even when they leave the screen, both large and small. Take for example the references to David Bowie.
– I want to spread his cultural achievement for my players. I wish people who play my games see the links and start listening to Bowie’s music. I hope that such things should be able to broaden the player’s worldview.
After leaving Konami where he has worked since the late eighties, he has now rekindled his own studio. And there is great interest for the next project. When he visits the Nordic Game in Malmö is close to 1 000 participants in place of Question Time.
Following online
Thousands follow through online. All he’s doing is creating a flurry of expectations, comments and speculations. As the picture of a figure in armor, he released the other day.
– I am very grateful to the image get so much attention. But of course I feel pressure. I’m always thinking about whether I will be able to reach my visions.
And the visions, yes, they are short, great.
– A big games do not necessarily involve actual playing surface, it is the emotional power I want. I want to make a strong title that affect the player’s life.
The Facts: Hideo Kojima’s games in the selection
1987 Metal Gear
1988 Snatcher
1990 Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
1994 Policenauts
1998 Metal Gear Solid
2001 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
2004 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Gunds of the Patriots
2015 Metal Gear solid V: the Phantom Pain
Background: Kojima’s new project
In Malmö Hideo Kojima told me that he wants to build a medium-sized studio with around 100 employees. He describes his next game as a great title, but not necessarily in the actual playing surface. But rather in the degree of feeling he wants to convey. But it will keep the same graphical standard that the current so-called AAA titles.
The game will unlike Kojima’s previous works based on a licensed game engine, that is the basic technology behind the game. It is one of the reasons that he now including visiting Swedish gaming company, to find an engine that fits his needs.
It will not be about a sequel to the previous game, but this is something completely new. Otherwise, mostly as yet secret.
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