“It’s a funny word, Strand. A strand is part of a rope or bond, while stranded means being washed up on the shore, and being stranded is when you can’t go home.” That ridiculous line is delivered with poise and sincerity by Emily O’Brien in Death Stranding—the first game from Hideo Kojima’s independent studio, Kojima Productions. Four years after its release, PlayStation Studios has partnered with filmmaker Glen Milner to bring us a documentary chronicling the game’s release and how Mr. Kojima envisions a world stranded together.
Hideo Kojima, A Video Game Auteur
The film, aptly titled Hideo Kojima Connecting Worlds, premiered on June 17th at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film chronicles Kojima’s illustrious career in gaming but primarily focuses on the development of Death Stranding.
Hideo Kojima is often regarded as the first video game auteur, so it’s a shame that much of the film focuses on his work post-Konami rather than the series that gave him the title. Throughout the film, there are interviews with actors and directors he has worked with in the past. Some familiar faces like Nolan North and Geoff Keighly show up, but nothing ground-breaking is revealed in the film.
The film chronicles all of the struggles that came with creating Death Stranding but fails to dive any deeper. While it is certainly commendable the work and vision Kojima has put into Death Stranding, the more controversial moments in his career are not explored. His signature humor is noticeably minor in the film, as is his public exit from Konami.
While the development and release of Death Stranding are compelling enough, focusing an entire hour on just one small piece of this man’s incredible legacy feels like a letdown. We would have loved to have seen a deeper analysis of the relationship between Konami and Kojima and where it all went wrong. But alas, Mr. Kojima remains a private person, much more comfortable sharing his words through art.
A Man Of The People
Most of the film features Hideo Kojima working in his office and interacting with his staff. He appears in the film as a natural leader bursting with personality. A highlight of the film is an all-hands staff meeting led by Mr. Kojima. Hideo is sporting a Joy Division tee shirt while matter-of-factly laying out deadlines and needed improvements while cracking jokes about the staff. There are many interviews with actors and celebrities giving Hideo Kojima his accolades. But it’s these small human moments where the film really shines. Seeing Kojima not on a stage in front of thousands but on the company floor, talking with artists and programmers provides the biggest insight into the man’s legacy.
The most interesting parts of the film are the small sojourns Kojima takes into his childhood. These snippets are narrated by Kojima and animated in a beautiful Japanese Anime style. In these small bits, Kojima discusses his lineage and how the horrors of war shaped his outlook on game creation. “I didn’t want to glorify combat,” Kojima states during an anime scene depicting his walk to school. This idea is explored in the Metal Gear series, with the gameplay relying on stealth rather than confrontation.
Death Stranding And Connecting Worlds
In Death Stranding, Kojima explains he wanted to create a connected world. Games today are all about being the best and getting the most kills. Death Stranding is about connecting players without competition. You can see the work of all the other players around you, and you are all working towards the same goal, connecting people.
It’s a bold move for a video game, but even bolder when you learn Kojima funded this game without revealing any aspects of gameplay or story to Sony. After Konami and Kojima parted ways, Kojima stated he wanted a publisher to bet on him. He penned a deal with Sony, allowing him to make whatever his heart desired. He wanted no oversight, no notes, just total creative control. And that’s precisely what he got.
Sony giving Kojima Productions full reign over development is undoubtedly unprecedented in this industry, but also less surprising when the company namesake belongs to a figure as large as Hideo Kojima. The bet has seemingly paid off as a sequel and film adaptation to Death Stranding is currently in development.
Director Q&A
The film ends by chronicling Death Strandings’ release and what it meant for Hideo and his staff. When asked in the film if he was excited about the release, he stated he was already busy working on the next project. It was just another reminder that the work is never done for a mind like Kojima.
After the film premiered at Tribeca, Geoff Keighley moderated a short Q&A with Hideo Kojima. The game maker mused how many years he has left creating games and his love for cinema. He stated that he has considered taking a break to film a movie, but that is currently impossible with his studio head role.
The most evident revelation from this Q&A was Mr. Kojima’s care and passion for his team and Kojima Productions. Several times throughout the interview, the director mentioned his staff when asked about other projects he would like to work on. Kojima stated he has around 200 employees and fears taking too big of a risk would jeopardize their well-being. For all the praise and adoration laid on Mr. Kojima at the event, it was good to see him stay humble and constantly refer to the staff that makes games like this possible.
The Future of Kojima Productions
No major revelations were laid out during the Q&A, although Kojima did state he currently has three games in development. One being Death Stranding 2, another he gave no details on, and finally, one that is only in his head.
Outside of its Tribeca premiere, there is no word on where and when the film will be available. Our best guess is that film will be released at some point on a streaming service.
Connecting Worlds is a small look into the life of a large man. There is no denying the impact Hideo Kojima has had on the gaming world. While the film only offers a glimpse into the man’s life, it is a satisfying journey that allows us to view the world through Kojima’s lens.
