After a new Death Stranding trailer showing off gameplay released by Hideo Kojima, people were yearning for more, because Death Stranding is still mysterious even though there was a lot to digest from the trailer. At Gamescom 2019, Hideo Kojima made a surprise appearance during the Opening Night Live kickoff event. Geoff Keighley gave Kojima a lot of stage time to talk about Death Stranding, and Kojima in turn released not one, not two, but three trailers. Hideo Kojima said that more gameplay will be revealed during Tokyo Game Show. Enjoy the trailers, though…
In the next trailer, you’ll notice that there’s an interesting cameo in Death Stranding. Geoff Keighley is in the game as a character named Matthew Mercer.
Death Stranding will be released for PlayStation 4 on November 8, 2019.
Hideo Kojima has been teasing some videos on Twitter as of late to promote the new Death Stranding trailer dropping on May 29th. In Kojima fashion, they’re cryptic. If you’d like to learn everything we know so far on Death Stranding – Here it is.
Today, we take a good look at what we know about Kojima Productions’ new Death Stranding. Hideo Kojima founded a production studio called “Kojima Productions,” while Konami shuttered a few divisions that would relieve Hideo Kojima of his managerial and/or administrative duties in 2005.
Kojima explained his idea or role with Kojima Productions back when he formed the company…
To elaborate a little bit more, I am now in a position within Konami as one of the members of the board, and it’s true that I do have a responsibility, and also respect, within the company. However, when I say as a creator, “I want to create this new game”, it’s still the same as twenty years ago! People still ask, “will that sell, will that be good?” Nobody really understands whether it would be an instant hit or whatever. I’m not just talking about the top executives, but even the development staff! But that is my challenge, actually. That’s what’s interesting. They do not understand what they cannot see instantly, so they can’t say “that’s a great idea” straight away. That’s my challenge, and my satisfaction when I present to them, saying I want to create this new thing. And if I get more ‘boos’ about it – if they say, “No! We don’t know what you’re talking about!” then this is actually the fun part.
Kojima Productions went on to completing Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection (which is a collection of Metal Gear Solid 2, 3, Peace Walker), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D (which itself is a sort-of a remake of MGS3), and Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, which is a prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
At this point already, there has already been in-fighting between Hideo Kojima, and Konami. Things came to a head as Mr. Kojima was about 80-90 percent complete with The Phantom Pain. You can see it as you play and complete MGSV: The Phantom Pain. Chapter 3 was cut from the game, and a lot of players were frustrated. [Backstory available here.]
As Kojima made the game gold, ready to be released (Dumb idea, Konami! Dumb, boneheaded move.), Konami forced Kojima to sign a contract saying he can’t this, and that about MGSV’s development or accept awards, etc. I don’t know the full story about that very contract, I can only speak to what was already publicly known about Konami vs Kojima.
Konami claims that MGSV cost a lot of money to make, and Kojima felt that he wasn’t complete with MGSV.
On December 16, 2015 – during a joint announcement between Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), and Hideo Kojima – both parties announced that Kojima was working on a new game…
….That would eventually be known as Death Stranding….
It was revealed at E32016. We didn’t know much about Death Stranding other than that the game was going to have Norman Reedus, and the premise of the game is about connecting with everything around you in the world of Death Stranding. Concept art had or has some clues as to what this connectivity entails.
At The Game Awards 2016, that same year – a new trailer broke out. This time, we learn Guillermo del Toro, Mads Mikkelsen would appear in the game.
The following year, at TGA 2017, another trailer dropped. This time, we learn a few gameplay tidbits: You must be stealthy, as in no sounds, no shouting, no shooting. Unless warranted. If you fail or die, you go underwater, which is the afterlife in the game. The water scene is your “Game Over” screen of sorts.
At E32018, it was revealed that Lindsay Wagner, and Léa Seydoux would star in Death Stranding. The marketing messaging in the trailer talks about life, death, spirits, and the afterlife…
“Give me your hand in life.”
“Give me your hand in death.”
“Give me your hand in flesh.”
“Give me your hand in spirit.”
At TGS 2018, there was a short trailer for Death Stranding, and it showed off a new character being voiced by Troy Baker.
What is Death Stranding? It is Hideo Kojima’s next project. Death Stranding is an open world title with stealth action mixed in. It’s a multiplayer game, too, as the game deals with death, spirits, the afterlife, and links. The main character, and who you control is a man named Sam Bridges. You work for a mysterious organization (possibly “Porter”), and you deliver some sort of parcel to another place, or location.
In most trailers, you’re carrying some kind of container, item, or person. In the majority of the trailers, you’re seen to be carrying a baby or a baby capsule. A few times, you are even “pregnant.” Much is unknown about the story, we can only go by what we see. The game looks to have some really mind-bending visuals – at one point you meet a council of parasites. You also meet what seems like a final boss of some sort – a large being. Furthermore, you’re dealing with a spirit that lurks in the background for most of the trailers. Who is this spirit, what significance does it have with the babies, and/or Sam? What is the story telling us…?
How is Death Stranding being built? Hideo Kojima spent a majority of his 10 days with Mark Cerny in 2016 looking for a new game engine. Studios visited include Crytek, Quantic Dream, Sucker Punch, Media Molecule, and D.I.C.E. They ended up with Guerrilla Games, and opted to use their game engine – DECIMA. Guerrilla Games first DECIMA game was Killzone Shadow Fall, the second game to use the engine was Horizon Zero Dawn, the third game to use it was Until Dawn, the fourth one was Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, RIGS: Mechanized Combat League used it, and now Death Stranding is using it. Shadow Fall was a PS4 launch title, and Horizon was one the best selling PlayStation 4 games of 2017, selling over 10 Million copies.
When is Death Stranding being released? Kojima said the game would release before the 2020 Summer Olympics, but in recent times (March 6, 2019, actually.), he said that Death Stranding is running behind schedule. He said the game would be out before the end of 2019. Before getting excited or hyped, though – I would say keep that excitement or expectation low, because according to Kojima, he continues to make adjustments to games he makes on a daily basis. This is the case with Metal Gear, it’s the case now with Death Stranding. He also mentioned that the game is different than when development started on the new game.
On April 26, 2019 – at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, Kojima spoke about a few gameplay details. The first one is about a camera. You can control a camera in Death Stranding. As I explained earlier, the game is an open world game, with a multiplayer component. Kojima further explained “There are so many things happening in the real world – in America, in Europe – everything is actually connected by the internet, but in a way we’re not connected in the real world these days.” One of the concepts for the game is connections. He expanded on how new the game is… “The player will have to reconnect the world in the game. You’re very alone, there’s solitude, but you’re trying to connect. The story and the gameplay, the key word is ‘connection.’ There are so many things in-between, of course, but the key is connection.”
In typical Kojima style, he jokingly said… “I also threw in a really new idea. You’re connecting the game, and everyone is playing it together, and you’ll be connected, everyone will be connected together as well. I can’t say anything because Sony will be very unhappy. I don’t want to be disconnected from Sony.” That last part is a little cheeky, even for Kojima.
According to Kojima, the story is a metaphor. Norman Reedus isn’t just lending his likness, his acting, or voices, he’s also collaborating with Hideo for Death Stranding. Kojima even refers Reedus as a muse. Kojima says that Reedus gives Kojima a lot of ideas. Kojima says working with Reedus is stimulaing and gives him ideas… “Doing this with Hollywood actors, this was the first time for me, and it was so stimulating for me. I had a lot of ideas flooding out.”
Death Stranding is coming exclusively to PlayStation 4, and PC. Death Stranding does not have a firm release date, but is tentatively penciled for 2019.
It has been a big year for Hideo Kojima. While he’s finishing up Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, he’s been having some up and downs in 2015. I’ll get you up-to-speed on what’s been happening to Hideo Kojima. Brace yourself, you’re not ready to hear what’s been happening…
Hideo Kojima vs Konami is a thing.
At GDC 2013, Kojima revealed MGSV: The Phantom Pain, he announced that he was serious about leaving Konami, and the Metal Gear series behind. Unlike in the past, where he said the last Metal Gear title would be his final game, Kojima was very serious about it this time. Things escalated between Kojima and Konami during the development of MGSV: The Phantom Pain. This is a war that started while Hideo Kojima is about to finish Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Details are scarce about what happened between Kojima and Konami behind the scenes. Kojima can’t publicly talk about the split under a Non-Disclosure-Agreement-style contract. There were several reports in 2015: In March, there was a report that Kojima would part ways with Konami. Shortly thereafter, Konami announced that they were auditioning new staff for the next Metal Gear title after MGSV: The Phantom Pain. At the same time, Konami removed all “A Hideo Kojima Game” references from all box art and materials related to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Even though he’s the Game Designer, Director, Producer, and writer of the game. They even removed all references and logos of Kojima Productions.
It wasn’t just box-art and related marketing materials that Kojima’s name and production company was removed from, it was all over the internet. Every game that bared the “A Hideo Kojima Game” tagline or “Kojima Productions” name and logo were removed on any Konami website.
At E32014, Kojima and Konami released a trailer edited by Hideo Kojima himself…
Intense, isn’t it? It’s actually a “goodbye” message. If that weren’t enough, Kojima & Konami sent out another “goodbye” trailer close to the game’s release…
The game was released on September 1st, 2015. In October 2015, there has been a report that says Hideo Kojima left Konami. However, a Konami spokeswoman quickly rebutted the report with “[Kojima is] taking a long time off from work.”
In August of 2015, there was yet, another report: Konami treats its employees like prisoners. You’re not allowed to:
– Come in late. Or be shamed throughout the entire corporate building.
– Be useless. Or be reassigned to mudane tasks such as being a security guard, a cleaning staff, and working on those “pachi-slot machines” in factories.
– Use corporate e-mails. Or have them be changed every other month. The only folks allowed to use Konami’s corporate e-mail addresses are those in Public Relations or other company-required communication.
Konami did other drastic measures:
– Monitored each and every Konami employee going in and out the building.
– Kojima Productions during the year, didn’t exist. It was known as “Number 8 Production Department.”
– Kojima Productions computers have no internet access, and can only send messages between computers.
Other details:
– Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’s development budget exceeded 10 Billion yen (which translates to $80 Million USD)
– When an employee announced they were leaving their Konami job for a new one, Konami closely monitored anyone who “liked” it.
Konami is no longer in the Hardcore Games business.
Konami switched their corporate culture to developing social, and mobile games. When Konami released “Dragon Collection,” a mobile game, it turned a huge profit for Konami. They seemed to get the idea that Mobile Games are profitable, and is where the majority of gamers go to play. Too bad, they don’t realize that Mobile Gamers in general are flaky. They won’t buy Mobile Games or pay for items, characters, powers, or any other intangible microtransaction.
I can’t believe I’m looking at a company that used to or still release high-quality video games. I mean, is this the same Konami that released hit games like Gradius, Contra, Castlevania, Zone of the Enders, and Silent Hill? This company? Nah. Almost too unreal.
They will still be developing large-scale, high budgeted game titles, but their focus is now on mobile and social games.
That wasn’t the end of the negative press Konami has been getting. At The Game Awards 2015, Konami barred Hideo Kojiam from traveling to Los Angeles, and accepting The Game Awards trophy.
At The Game Awards, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain won these accolades:
– Best Action/Adventure Game of 2015
– Best Musical Score/Game Soundtrack of 2015
And was accepted instead by, Phantom Snake’s voice: Kiefer Sutherland.
If you want to see what happened afterwards:
…Hear that? Boo’ed out of the building.
On December 15th, Kojima’s contract was over. It’s expired. So, this leaves Kojima as a free agent. He’s been offered to work on a game by a few companies. However, because Hideo Kojima and Sony has a strong working releationship… Kojima decided to go with Sony for his first title as an independent developer. The very next day, Andrew House and Hideo Kojima released a joint announcement for the first Kojima Productions title. It’ll be console exclusive to PlayStation 4…
Furthermore, the relationship between SCE and Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. remains unharmed. The game has NOTHING to do with either Metal Gear, or Silent Hill(s), it’s a completely new game, completely new IP. The game will be published by SCE, and they will announce what the game is about when they’re ready. E32016 announcement impending?
If you’re interested in the Press Release by Sony, here it is:
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Kojima Productions, a newly formed studio by the acclaimed game designer Hideo Kojima, to develop its first software title as a console exclusive to the PlayStation 4 (PS4) computer entertainment system.
“PlayStation’s history is one of game innovation and great new franchises,” said Andrew House, President and Global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Hideo Kojima has been a huge part of that history, and we are therefore delighted that he has chosen to bring his brand new project to life in partnership with PlayStation. We look forward to working with him on an exciting new game and warmly welcome him to the PlayStation family.”
“I will be taking on a new challenge by establishing my own independent studio, and I am thrilled to be able to embark on this journey with PlayStation, who I have continued to work with all these past years,” said Hideo Kojima, Game Designer, Kojima Productions. “I cannot wait to deliver, with PlayStation, a game that will become a compelling franchise.”
SCE will continue to expand the world of PS4 to deliver entertainment experiences that are only possible on PlayStation.
Source: SCE Press Release
If you’d like to learn more about Kojima Productions, here is their website.
