Tag: Hideo Kojima

The Midsommar studio is making Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding movie

Film studio A24, known for producing Midsommar and Everything Everywhere All At Once, is behind the upcoming Death Stranding movie

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMzNSI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

Film studio A24, known for producing Midsommar and Everything Everywhere All At Once, is behind the upcoming Death Stranding movie. The news comes over a year after Deadline reported that Barbarian producer Alex Lebovici would produce the film adaptation of Kojima’s open-world game with Hammerstone Studios.

Whether Hammerstone is involved in some capacity remains unknown.

A24 made the announcement in a very Kojima-like manner – with a shirt and a cryptic tease. The studio announced a T-shirt that featured Death Stranding’s distinct style and then said in a Twitter post that A24 was working on the film with Kojima. After fans picked up on that little blurb, the studio released a short, official statement.

“The film promises to delve into the mysteries surrounding the apocalyptic event called the Death Stranding, which blurred the lines between life and death, and brought forth nightmarish creatures into a world on the brink of collapse,” A24 said.

Death Stranding the game takes place after that cataclysm and follows Sam Porter Bridges as he delivers parcels across the shattered nation and builds bridges in the process. Yes, it’s more than a little on the nose, but in a game with a villain called Die Hardman, that’s not really surprising.

“A24 was born into this world about 10 years ago, their presence is singular within the industry, they are like no other,” Kojima said in a separate statement that IGN obtained. “The films they are delivering to the world are high in quality and very innovative. I have been attracted to their creations and they have even inspired my own work. Their innovative approach to storytelling aligns with what Kojima Productions has been doing for the last eight years. Now, we are making a Death Stranding movie together.”

“There are a lot of ‘game adaptation films’ out there, but what we are creating is not just a direct translation of the game,” Kojima continued. “The intention is that our audience will not only be fans of the games, but our film will be for anyone who loves cinema. We are creating a Death Stranding universe that has never been seen before, achievable only through the medium of film.”

Whether that means Kojima Productions envisions multiple Death Stranding adaptations or just one that ties into the game world – and Death Stranding 2 – remains to be seen.

A24 and Kojima Productions didn’t say when production begins or when they anticipate the Death Stranding movie to release.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

Death Stranding is the next Epic Games free game

If you’re keen to check out Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, you can get the open-world adventure as the latest Epic Games free game

If you’re keen to check out Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, you can get it as the latest Epic Games free game. Unlike the last time Epic offered the open-world game for free, you have more than just a day to claim it. The offer lasts until May 25, 2023, and as always, the game will remain in your library permanently so long as you claim it before the promotion ends.

The version you get is the base Death Stranding, though if you want to upgrade to the Director’s Cut, you can do so for a discounted price. That price is even lower until June 15, 2023 – down to $4.99 from its usual $9.99.

The Director’s Cut adds a range of quality-of-life improvements, new combat options, and even a racing mini-game. There’s a fast new car you can make deliveries in and the option to build new structures to help make life a bit easier. Buddy bots help you manage cargo and can give you a lift, and you can replay boss fights and other encounters if you’re so inclined.

The upgrade also includes PC-specific features, such as support for widescreen monitors.

Death Stranding follows delivery man-slash-hero Sam Porter Bridges as he, well, builds bridges. His goal is connecting people in a big, broken world, saving them from their isolated states and fighting back against the shadows that stalk the wilds. It’s all very Kojima, and it was enough of a success to warrant a sequel starring Elle Fanning.

There’s no word on when to expect Death Stranding 2, but we may learn more about it during Summer Game Fest in June.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

[mm-video type=video id=01gzzt3q2z4eychm46mx playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzzt3q2z4eychm46mx/01gzzt3q2z4eychm46mx-3d8725feb5780eacdfc0cde944893e81.jpg]

Hideo Kojima says he’ll become an AI after death

The Death Stranding maker says you can expect more Kojima games even after he dies, thanks to the power of AI

Hideo Kojima’s studio Kojima Productions just turned six years old, or more accurately, the registration for the studio just turned six, as Kojima couldn’t afford a studio and had few staff when he first launched his solo venture. The Death Stranding creator recently spoke with IGN to mark the production company’s anniversary and growth, and while Kojima is mainly concerned with his present projects, he’s given some thought to the studio’s future in 50 years or more, once he’s gone.

“I’ll keep leading so long as I’m around, and all that matters to me is that our roots when it comes to creation are kept intact,” he said “But you know, I’ll probably become an AI and stick around. You need to be stimulated in lots of different ways if you want to keep creating new things, so I imagine I’ll keep collaborating with others and taking in new things even if I’m an AI.”

Kojima said he gets bored easily, and even though he’s not interested in growing his studio to go public and attract potential investors, he’s always eager to investigate new technology and experiment with his craft.

“Part of why I’ve been able to make games for 30 years is because new technology replaces the old so quickly,” he said “The tech you use today may not be applicable tomorrow, and I’m interested in figuring out ways to incorporate the new.  

“Making the wrong choice can result in failure, of course. It’s a bit like a space program in that way. The project we’re working on with Microsoft is one I have been thinking about for five or six years already. “

Kojima naturally didn’t say what the Microsoft project would be, but meanwhile, we’ve got Death Stranding 2 in production and the Death Stranding movie adaptation underway, the latter of which Kojima said he’s keen to avoid making into a blockbuster, as he wants it to retain the franchise’s identity.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

[mm-video type=video id=01gbqjqzhhj17hpqyd11 playlist_id=none player_id=01evcfkb10bw5a3nky image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gbqjqzhhj17hpqyd11/01gbqjqzhhj17hpqyd11-11e839bb5d929d9877ee203d02f790f9.jpg]

[listicle id=1914475]

Death Stranding studio is collaborating with NASA on a stylish watch

NASA is helping turn the Kojima Productions mascot into watches as part of a strange partnership.

Hideo Kojima, the enigmatic director behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, is working on a wristwatch with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Yes — not a game, but a watch. 

On Wednesday, Kojima Productions announced the Space Ludens watch that’ll be released through watchmaker Anicorn. 

“Anicorn is honored to present the once in a lifetime collaboration timepiece – Space Ludens, an epic partnership that is inspired by Ludens to proclaim creativity, imagination, and the play element in culture,” Anicorn said on Twitter. “Anicorn designed Space Ludens with Kojima Productions using the NASA logo as one of the design motifs, it is a perfect alignment with the concept of ‘bringing fun into the unknown universe’.”

Check out the video below to see the Space Ludens watch in action. By ‘action’ – we mean tell time and all that.

The silver and gold embroidery draws inspiration from Kojima Productions’ space astronaut mascot – who’s apparently wearing an ‘Extra-Vehicular Creative Activity’ suit.

“The timepiece is fundamentally induced by the Ludens EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) Creative Suit,” Anicorn continues. “Ludens is the Kojima Productions studio icon and mascot designed by Yoji Shinkawa that was originally born from the idea of an astronaut exploring a digital space.”

It’s a bizarre collaboration – though not the weirdest video game tie-in merchandise out there. If you’re at all interested, Kojima’s Space Ludens will be available on Sept. 27, 2022.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

[mm-video type=video id=01g4jeb06b5mt0rb48a4 playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g4jeb06b5mt0rb48a4/01g4jeb06b5mt0rb48a4-77d9d09a6d802646cfeb58c86452c548.jpg]

[listicle id=1224137]

[listicle id=1903746]

I fed an AI Hideo Kojima’s Wikipedia page and interviewed it

We made a Hideo Kojima AI and interviewed it. Here are the results.

The future is here. I’ve been messing around with Open AI’s text prompt beta, which can tell a range of stories, all grammatically correct. You just put in a prompt and out pops the text. 

For example, I asked for a story about a living poop, and it gave me this masterpiece: “There once was a living poo who was quite happy living in its owner’s intestine. But one day, the poo decided it wanted to see the world and so it started to travel up the intestine. The further it got, the more uncomfortable it became, and the more it realized this was not a good idea. But it was too late to turn back and so the poo kept going until it finally exited through the owner’s anus. 

“The poo found itself in a strange new world, and it was not sure what to do. It tried to go back into the intestine, but it could not find its way. It tried to find other living poos to ask for help, but it could not find any. It was all alone and it did not know what to do. 

“The poo tried to make the best of its situation, and it started to explore the world. It found new and interesting things, and it even made some friends along the way. But no matter how much it tried, the poo could not forget about its old life in the intestine. It missed the warmth and security, and it longed to go back.” 

[mm-video type=video id=01g4fxem14ajy9hk3fby playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g4fxem14ajy9hk3fby/01g4fxem14ajy9hk3fby-9fae27a77eb25db2856a0e5796a87e28.jpg]

It sure is a strange new world. 

Another thing you can do with the AI is tell it who it is. So I told it that it was Hideo Kojima and fed it his entire Wikipedia page for context. Here’s the resulting interview. 

Hideo Kojima is reportedly developing a horror game called Overdose

The mind behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding might be working on an all-new spooky adventure.

Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding director Hideo Kojima might be working on a horror game titled Overdose.

In a report by Try Hard Guides, industry insider Tom Henderson claims to have seen an early build featuring Margaret Qualley, the actress who played Mama in Death Stranding, wandering around dark corridors with a flashlight. The footage is allegedly in third-person, though apparently, first-person play might be possible too. Henderson claims the video concludes with a Game Over screen, followed by one line of text: “A Hideo Kojima Game… Overdose.” There’s no telling if it’s real, though Henderson has been spot-on with leaks in the past. 

Since the story went live, Henderson claims that Kojima Productions asked that it be taken down.

“Kojima Productions has since reached out after the publication of this article via email to ask for its removal,” Henderson said on Twitter. “I have denied the request.”

As ever, don’t take any of this as fact. However, if Kojima Productions indeed sent a takedown request, that’s pretty telling. Not saying it’s for sure, but you’re likely picking up what I’m putting down.

All these years later, I’m still upset that Silent Hills isn’t happening. If for no other reason than to experience Hideo Kojima’s wild storytelling techniques within the spooky genre.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

[mm-video type=video id=01g4n0jd648nh7q3xm5b playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g4n0jd648nh7q3xm5b/01g4n0jd648nh7q3xm5b-be80005234cdd45fd19af3ba0570681f.jpg]

[listicle id=1904781]

Hideo Kojima clarifies that Kojima Productions will stay independent

After sharing a PlayStation Studios banner, the Death Stranding creator had to shake off wild speculation.

It looks like PlayStation Studios probably isn’t acquiring Kojima Productions after all, despite what Hideo Kojima’s vague gesturing on social media may imply.

On Friday, Hideo Kojima posted a mysterious photo of the PlayStation Studios logo. As you might imagine, everyone took this as a hint that Kojima Productions would be the latest acquisition by Sony. Well, anyone that made that assumption was dead wrong, as shortly after, Kojima set the record straight.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding,” Kojima said on Twitter. “But Kojima Productions has been and will continue to be an independent studio.”

Boy, who could have guessed that the tweet below could mislead people! Certainly not me, nope.

Regrettably, all we can do is guess why Kojima would share the photo, but he has a history of teasing fans. It probably doesn’t help things that Death Stranding, Kojima Productions’ latest game, was initially published by Sony for the PS4 and PS5. The game has since come to PC, though.

While Kojima Productions will remain independent, Sony has acquired several studios this year. The biggest of which is unquestionably Bungie, the creators of Halo and Destiny. Well-known industry figure Geoff Keighley claims that more big acquisitions are coming, though who knows if that pertains to PlayStation Studios.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

[mm-video type=video id=01fqmhspcsm008ja7k8e playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fqmhspcsm008ja7k8e/01fqmhspcsm008ja7k8e-28c1fd74a117a5ee1988272e9ff1e908.jpg]

[listicle id=1350629]

Kojima Productions expands to film, TV and music

The Death Stranding studio is branding off to other avenues of entertainment.

Kojima Productions, the studio behind Death Stranding, launched a new music, movie and TV division.

The studio that Hideo Kojima built has a new office operating out of Los Angeles, CA, dedicated to other areas of entertainment outside of video games. Rily Russel, who is coming off of nearly three decades working at PlayStation, will oversee operations at this new division. 

“The new division will be tasked with working with creative and talented professionals in television, music and film, as well as the more familiar games industry,” Russel said  via Gamesindustry.biz. “The team has as its charter, the goal of expanding the reach and awareness of the properties now under development at Kojima Productions, and to make them even more a part of our popular culture. Although we are a global organization, the new business development team will be centred in Los Angeles, CA. We are truly excited and looking forward to working with the very best entertainment talent we can, across all of the entertainment industries.”

While there’s no formal announcement on what this branch of Kojima Productions will work on, development manager Yoshiko Fukuda gave some insight.

“Finding new ways to entertain, engage and offer value to our fans is essential in a fast-moving, ever changing storytelling world,” Fukuda said  via Gamesindustry.biz. “Our new division will take the studio into even more areas that present our creative narratives beyond videogames and to open up ways for our fans to communicate and immerse themselves in these spaces.”

Interesting that Fukuda mentions Kojima Productions “narratives,” as thus far Death Stranding  is the only game under the company’s belt. Hopefully, it’s not something that will  give Kojima motion sickness.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

[mm-video type=video id=01fknhjnf1s4rhbmb99p playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fknhjnf1s4rhbmb99p/01fknhjnf1s4rhbmb99p-9d81f387a70804a0254870c757b43521.jpg]

[listicle id=1268248]

An AI imagines what ‘Destiny’, ‘Zelda’, and Hideo Kojima look like with terrifying results

You’ll never look at your favorite video games the same way again.

Ever wonder what your favorite video games would look like through an AI-generated lens? Well, thanks to  ai_curio_bot  from Bearsharktopus Studios, there’s a Twitter bot more than capable of showing you the nightmare-inducing results.

All you have to do is tweet at ai_curio_bot with a specific prompt followed by whatever you would like to see horrifically recreated by the bot. For example, I sent it “botprompt: Link from The Legend of Zelda on an air mattress” because why not.

I doubted that ai_curio_bot could yield anything recognizable from this request, despite the heaps of evidence suggesting otherwise. Several hours later, a rather disturbing notification popped up in my mentions that you can check out below. 

There’s definitely an air mattress in the artwork, but I’m unsure how that twisting eldritch horror qualifies as Link. Is that his blue tunic off to the left? Maybe. I think his hairline is in the center, too. Either way, I wasn’t planning on sleeping tonight anyway — never using a Nintendo Switch again, for that matter.

Naturally, gamers are having a ball with ai_curio_bot. From Destiny’s Traveler to  Hideo Kojima himself, the bot successfully makes me question if humanity officially has too much sway over the universe. Check out some of the, uh, more creative results for yourself below. 

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fh5m7554rv6tbby8qd playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fh5m7554rv6tbby8qd/01fh5m7554rv6tbby8qd-5e2bd290a3d9e72fb03cb741103ea1bf.jpg]

[listicle id=1143984]