Hideo Kojima on Why Death Stranding 2 Should Be Divisive
▼ Summary
– Hideo Kojima initially felt conflicted about Death Stranding 2’s positive reception, preferring controversial games over blockbusters with high approval ratings.
– Kojima explained he wants Death Stranding 2 to be divisive, believing easily digestible entertainment is quickly forgotten, unlike impactful, polarizing games.
– He compared Death Stranding 2 to Metal Gear, noting it took years for Metal Gear to be recognized, and was surprised by the immediate positive feedback for the sequel.
– Kojima doesn’t want his successors at Kojima Productions to replicate his style, fearing it would lead to the company’s failure.
– Death Stranding 2 releases on June 26 for PS5, followed by Kojima’s Xbox-exclusive OD, Physint, and a Death Stranding movie collaboration with A24.
Hideo Kojima believes divisive games leave a lasting legacy, and he’s intentionally crafting Death Stranding 2 to spark debate rather than universal praise. The visionary game designer recently doubled down on his stance, explaining why he’s wary of creating crowd-pleasing blockbusters that fade from memory.
During a conversation with Game Informer, Kojima, speaking through interpreter Aki Saito, elaborated on his philosophy. He argued that truly innovative games often polarize audiences at first, citing his own Metal Gear series as an example. It took a decade for that franchise to gain widespread recognition, and he expects a similar trajectory for Death Stranding 2.
“Most entertainment today is designed to be easily consumed and forgotten,” Kojima remarked. “But Death Stranding was different, it needed passionate fans and equally passionate critics because it dared to be new. When testers unanimously praised the sequel, I actually worried. That wasn’t what I envisioned.”
Beyond his latest project, Kojima has made it clear he doesn’t want his studio to simply replicate his style after he’s gone. While he’s prepared a USB drive with future game concepts, he insists Kojima Productions must evolve rather than mimic his approach.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches June 26 for PlayStation 5, followed by two distinct projects: OD, an Xbox exclusive, and Physint, a spy-action title. Kojima is also collaborating with A24 on a Death Stranding film and considering stepping into the director’s chair for an original movie. His relentless creativity shows no signs of slowing down.
(Source: Game Spot)
