Hideo Kojima leaves a 'digital testament' for the future of Kojima Productions

Hideo Kojima, one of the leading figures in the video game industry, made an unusual but revealing decision:  to prepare a plan to ensure the continuity of his creative legacy at Kojima Productions.

After going through a serious illness during the pandemic, the Japanese developer—with more than three decades of experience—decided to confront his  own mortality and leave clear instructions about the future of his studio.

A "digital will" for after his death

According to a recent interview, the author of iconic titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding prepared a USB drive containing game ideas, narrative concepts, and projects in development. This device was given to his personal assistant, with  the purpose of serving as a guide when he is no longer around.

"I thought maybe I have little time left to keep creating", explained Kojima, recalling the recovery process from the surgery he had to undergo during the pandemic. That episode, along with the loss of close people, led him to make significant decisions about his role as a creator.

Between projects and personal reflections

At 61 years old, Kojima remains fully active. He is currently leading the development of Death Stranding 2 and the horror project OD, in collaboration with Xbox. Additionally, he is working on Physint, a new espionage game with Sony that will combine action and cinematic narrative.

However, amid this intense production, the creator admits having considered leaving video games to focus on filmmaking. He detailed that  he was convinced otherwise by figures like Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn, who encouraged him to stay true to the medium that made him famous.

"They told me my place was in video games and that I still had much to offer", Kojima noted.

A legacy based on innovation

Beyond his concrete works, the Japanese emphasized that his main concern is that Kojima Productions doesn't become a company that only manages existing franchises. His goal, he explained, is for the studio to maintain a culture of constant innovation.

With this posthumous plan—which includes a USB full of ideas—Kojima reaffirms his commitment to the future of his company, his followers, and the new generations of developers. In an uncommon gesture in the industry, he proposes not only a legacy of intellectual property but also a creative roadmap for those who continue his work.