Summary
While the gaming industry is filled with brilliant minds, Hideo Kojima stands out as one of the greatest of his time. Once best known for creating theMetal Gearseries, Kojimahas more recently become known for his work onDeath Stranding, after he left Konami in 2015 to form his own independent studio, Kojima Productions. Since then, Kojima has shown the world what he is capable of when he has total creative freedom, andDeath Strandingis proof of that. Furthermore, as if that wasn’t enough, Kojima’s willingness to move forward with his new IP by developing the sequel,Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, shows even more what he can accomplish when the sky is his limit.
Death Stranding 2isn’t even out yet, but it’s already proving what a developer can do when they are given full creative power over their work. Lately, the AAA gaming industry has been wearing its limitations on its sleeves, as publishers have increasingly been known to impose tight deadlines and constrained budgets on developers, in addition to employing controversial tactics like micotransaction systems and censorship in an effort to adapt to the market. However, because Hideo Kojima has now been functioning independently for the last decade, he has been able to fully realize his potential, as he can now define his own restrictions.
Death Stranding 2 Shows the Power of Creative Liberty
Kojima’s Willingness to Double Down on Death Stranding Shows His Intentions
WhileDeath Strandinghas proven to be one ofKojima’s greatest workson account of its unconventional gameplay and storytelling, that has simultaneously made it one of his most divisive.Death Strandingwas Kojima’s first independent project after leaving Konami, which means it was also the first example of what he could do with his newfound freedom. This unparalleled creativity enabled him to make decisions that he likely wouldn’t have been able to make under Konami’s thumb, but that also meant he was taking some big risks on his headlong solo dive into the industry.
Death Stranding 2isn’t even out yet, but it’s already proving what a developer can do when they are given full creative power over their work.
Death Strandingis one of the most divisive games in recent memory, with some considering it a masterpiece and others labeling it a “walking simulator.” It’s true, there is a lot ofwalking inDeath Stranding, but this approach to gameplay (and the story that accompanies it) are the very reasons that it struck a chord in the gaming industry. To this day, encountering a fan ofDeath Strandinggenerally means encountering someone who is head over heels for it, claiming it’s one of the greatest games ever made. On the contrary, encountering someone who dislikesDeath Strandingusually means encountering someone who loathes its very existence and wishes it was never made.
As such, the fact that Kojima was willing to double down onDeath Strandingwith the development ofDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachsays a lot about his intentions. Kojima clearly has no desire to simply appease people. Otherwise, he might have opted for no sequel at all or at least changedDeath Strandingentirely (although there is more of an emphasis on combat inDeath Stranding 2, showing that he really isn’t that hard-headed). Instead, Kojima has chosen to give thedivisiveDeath Strandinganother shot with a sequel, proving that what he wants more than anything is to tell a compelling story and to innovate gaming, even if half of the crowd fails to appreciate that approach.
The Hope Is That Games Like DS2 Will Set a Precedent for the Industry
The hope is thatgames likeDeath Stranding 2and developers like Hideo Kojima will set a precedent for the gaming industry, during a time when AAA publishers have been known to slam the door shut on creative ideas. It would be a breath of fresh air to see more developers stick to their guns, even when they’re under pressure, if not just to approach game development as an art form rather than a mere money-making vehicle. If this is the way the greatest minds in the gaming industry choose to move forward, it’s likely there are more “Death Stranding’s” on the horizon.
