Hideo Kojima, the legendary game creator known for his innovative and boundary-pushing titles, is once again creating an experimental game that promises to turn the gaming world on its head.
Years after releasing the walking simulator, Death Stranding, Kojima, with his studio, Kojima Productions, is working on an Xbox exclusive, OD, which, according to Kojima, is just as experimental as one of his earlier works, Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand.
A unique game with a premise that only Kojima is brave enough to try and see through, Kojima’s latest statement hints at the game’s unusual nature.
Boktai, released exclusively on the Game Boy Advance, was a significant departure for Kojima, renowned for the Metal Gear Solid series. In Boktai, players assumed the role of a vampire hunter named Django, wielding a solar gun charged by real sunlight, thanks to a solar sensor in the game cartridge. The groundbreaking concept was met with the kind of skepticism expected for trying something different. Yet, Kojima persisted. As a result, Boktai went on to become a cult classic, spawning several sequels and influencing some of Kojima’s own work down the line, including Death Stranding.
Drawing parallels to Boktai, at least in terms of doing something out of the left field, OD is a collaborative project that involves the creative mind of Jordan Peele and will feature a star-studded Hollywood cast.
While specific details about OD are scarce, Kojima’s reference to Boktai suggests a game that will push the envelope in terms of technology and storytelling. Kojima’s vision for OD seems to align with his history of creating games that go against the current trends, embracing concepts like Tactical Espionage Action gameplay in Metal Gear Solid and the open-world Strand-type mechanics in Death Stranding.
Kojima’s approach to game design often blends gameplay mechanics with narrative themes, resulting in experiences where the player’s actions mirror the struggles and themes of the story. This methodology has garnered the video game auteur a reputation as a leading figure in the “games as art” discussion. His work often transcends conventional gaming experiences, offering deep, thought-provoking narratives combined with innovative gameplay.
OD is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and will feature Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier. It’s described as an immersive and terrifying experience, exploring the concept of testing one’s fear threshold. Given Kojima’s track record, expectations are high for OD to be a unique and engaging experience.
Kojima has been transparent about OD’s development cycle, sharing updates and behind-the-scenes insights. This kind of openness has built anticipation, although Kojima cautions that the game, like Boktai, is experimental. Finally, OD will involve the use of Xbox’s cloud technology, suggesting potential cross-platform playability and innovative uses of cloud-based gaming.
Kojima’s comparison of OD to Boktai indicates his continued interest in connecting human-made systems with real-life elements, a theme evident in his previous works. Boktai’s solar sensor and Death Stranding’s asynchronous multiplayer mechanics exemplify Kojima’s penchant for integrating gameplay with the physical world. Furthermore, this suggests a game that will challenge conventional gaming norms and offer an experience that blends art, technology, and storytelling in Kojima’s signature style.
Of course, as with all his projects, OD is shrouded in mystery, but, make no mistake, it’s poised to be a groundbreaking title in the gaming world.
For now though, fans can look forward to the release of Death Stranding 2 on PlayStation 5.
