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Kojima: “Way Too Early” To Talk About The Next Project

Hope you're not expecting to see Hideo Kojima's next game project any time soon.

But realistically, how could you expect such a thing? As a reminder, the Metal Gear Solid master said during the latest HideoTube episode (pasted in below) that he has only "just started on the basic plan" for his new project.

They chat about movies in the broadcast (they talk a lot about the 88th Academy Awards) and Kojima said that while he understands people want to hear about his next game, it's just too early:

"Since the studio was just founded (in December 2015), it's still way too early to be talking about that. Right? We don't have the staff, no building, just started the basic plan. I'm in the middle of figuring out how I want the studio to look. Please wait a bit longer."

Kojima then said his plans for the new Kojima Productions include a "small team" consisting of individuals "who have passion, are energetic, people who inspire each other." Yeah, well, you can bet that competition for these positions will be absolutely insane , so I wouldn't bother applying unless you know you're a highly sought-after commodity.

Kojima's 2015 saga wasn't pretty, as we all know: "Power struggles" at Konami resulted in the legendary designer's departure later in the year, and the resulting fallout was such a pain, Kojima said he actually considered escaping to a desert island . But man, when he and Sony announced their new partnership (meaning his next game will be exclusive to the PlayStation platform), well, that was another piece of huge news.

Frankly, I think we can all just stop pestering the guy for a while. Let him work his magic and when he's ready to show us something, he will.

Kojima, PS4 Lead Architect Embark On A “World Tour”

By now, we all know the saga: "Power struggles" at Konami turned out to be symptoms of a much deeper rift and eventually, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima left to open his own studio .

And now, he's out searching for new talent.

PlayStation 4 lead architect Mark Cerny has finally joined Twitter, and perhaps he did so to make this announcement : He's going on a "world tour" with Kojima and according to Kojima Productions producer Ken-ichiro Imaizumu, the duo is looking for "high-end technology." Then, Kojima tossed up his Tweet:

Maybe Kojima and Cerny are out searching for a new game engine, as the Fox Engine that powered last year's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is owned by Konami. Well, we hope they'll keep us updated on their travels!

Kojima Actually Considered Escaping To A Deserted Island

It's arguably the biggest news of the year and now, one iconic designer is garnering headlines all over the world.

After Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima's well-documented and oft-discussed ordeal with publisher Konami, everyone wondered: What's next for Kojima? After all, Konami is keeping the IP rights to MGS.

Well, Kojima has started his own studio and he has formed a partnership with PlayStation. He has high hopes for his first project and he definitely isn't shying away from big budgets (unlike his former employer). But he wasn't always set on this plan of action; as Kojima told The New Yorker , he actually considered disappearing to a deserted island for a year after leaving Konami. Then, a "Hollywood friend" stepped in and advised him to keep working:

"Hearing that affirmed to me that my role in this world is to keep on making big games for as long as I can. That is the mission I've been given in life."

He added that he's happy with his new-found independence and he believes this will expedite the development process. He also takes a little dig at Japanese publishers (perhaps a not-so-veiled jab at Konami):

"When working in big companies, especially Japanese companies, every little thing has to be approved beforehand, and you need paperwork to do anything. Now that I'm independent, I can do what I want with much more speed. I don't need to invest time in unnecessary presentations. I shoulder the risk."

Lastly, Kojima says he can now speak more freely. When allied with a company, his words "could be taken as the overall direction of the company" so really, he "couldn't say just anything." All of that is gone now and everything is wide open…so expect this guy to say whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases. Anybody got a problem with that?

And we say the rivalry between Konami's new Metal Gear Solid effort and Kojima's new title will be downright epic .

Kojima’s New Studio Site Opens, Offers A Passionate Letter

Kojima's new studio and partnership with Sony is now official and it all comes just one day after officially leaving Konami.

Obviously, the Metal Gear Solid creator knew about his exit for some time, so he has been preparing this fresh coming-out party…and the fans love it.

He has launched an official website for his new team, which is already comprised of former Konami employees, and they're actively searching for new talent as well (check their Careers section). The logo was designed by MGS character artist Yoji Shinkawa, by the way. And perhaps most impressive of all is the passionate letter Kojima and Co. have sent to all the gamers out there; it greets you when you visit their site but it's here in full:

"We are Homo Ludens (Those who play).

From the moment we enter this world, we instinctively invent ways to have 'fun,' and share our inventions with those around us. We are not asked to do this, nor do we need reasons to create. It is simply who we are.

We find one another and compete with one another. We laugh together and cry together; all while playing together. Our experiences bind us and liberate us. To share our most valuable experiences, we create stories, invent tools, and evolve the art of play. Play has been our ally since the dawn of civilisation.

'Playing' is not simply a pastime, it is the primordial basis of imagination and creation. Truth be told, Homo Ludens (Those who Play) are simultaneously Homo Faber (Those who Create).

Even if the earth were stripped of life and reduced to a barren wasteland, our imagination and desire to create would survive–beyond survival, it would provide hope that flowers may one day bloom again. Through the invention of play, our new evolution awaits.

Kojima Productions — We are Homo Ludens. We are those who play.

Hideo Kojima

Whatever these guys end up creating, we have every confidence that it will be a hugely anticipated PS4 exclusive (it's also coming to PC) and we anticipate nothing less than brilliance.

Kojima To Form New Studio, First Game Exclusive To PS4

Update: Sony has officially confirmed their partnership with Hideo Kojima and his new studio; here are some comments from both and an announcement video is pasted in below:

From SCE President and Global CEO Andrew House:

"PlayStation®'s history is one of game innovation and great new franchises. 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."

Said Kojima:

"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. I cannot wait to deliver, with PlayStation, a game that will become a compelling franchise."

And yes, Kojima's first project will be exclusive to PlayStation 4! Can't wait to see what he'll deliver…

Original Story:

When Hideo Kojima turned 52 earlier this year, he swore he'd "never stop creating."

In other words, the well-documented split between the Metal Gear Solid creator and publisher Konami (which may have begun with a "power struggle" ) won't dissuade. the gaming mastermind.

And according to a new Nikkei report (with an updated translation from GameSpot ), Kojima's next step is to form a studio of his own. It seems other former Kojima Productions employees will join him on this new journey, and he's rumored to be in talks with Sony to bring his first game exclusively to the PlayStation platform. Or at least the game will debut on PS4; it might become multiplatform afterward.

Of course, as we all know by now, Konami owns the MGS rights, so Kojima will have to try something new. Not that that's a bad thing, though; the guy has been talking about spreading his wings and attempting drastically different projects for years. Well, now's the time.

By the way, yesterday, December 15, was officially Kojima's last day with Konami. Onward and upward!