Hideo Kojima has been 're-thinking his creative process' in light of Covid-19

Hideo Kojima
(Image credit: The Game Awards)

Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima likened the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic to the 9/11 terror attacks, in a short interview with Geoff Keighley on the developer's creative process.

When Keighley checked in with Kojima during Summer Game Fest, Kojima spoke on how the outbreak has affected his approach to development. In the past, his games have often touched unnervingly on cultural concerns—but Death Stranding's vision of an isolated society came true uncomfortably quickly.

"I was always thinking about what could happen in society in 5, 10, or 20 years," said Kojima. "It was like predicting the future and adding the entertainment essence. And that's how I always created.

"The reality came much too soon, especially on Death Stranding."

In light of this, Kojima said he's figuring out how to adapt his creative process. Entertainment "has to be fun," but he's always sought to give players something to learn (whether or not that's been successful is up for debate). With the speed culture moves at now, however, Kojima admits that he needs to shake up his process—though for the time being, he's not quite ready to say how.

"I can't really say specifically. It won't be like the past. It won't be one step at a time. It's a drastic change, just like after 9/11. We have to adapt and think about new ways of creating, as entertainment can't fall behind."

Kojima also introduced a trailer for Death Stranding: Director's Cut, coming to PlayStation 5. Presumably we'll see that update on PC eventually as well.

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Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.