Hideo Kojima is one of the most legendary game creators of all time, known for fusing cinematic storytelling, interactive gameplay, and ambitious visions that continue to reshape the games industry. For decades, he has remained a central figure in gaming, creating groundbreaking franchises, pioneering genres, and pushing technology to its limits.
Recently, Hideo Kojima once again captured headlines, not for a new game trailer or cinematic reveal, but for a quirky update: celebrating a 0.1% growth in the number of Death Stranding 2 players who kept playing after the credits rolled. At first glance, this may sound trivial. But for Kojima, it reflects his obsessive attention to how gamers experience his worlds and the passion he has for keeping them engaged. Fans joke that Kojima just wants the number to hit 80%, but it’s also a clever reminder that the smallest player behaviors matter in the grand scheme of his work.
This blog takes a deep dive into Kojima’s journey, his ongoing projects, and why even the tiniest milestones continue to fascinate him—and us.
Hideo Kojima’s Legacy in the Games Industry
To understand why a 0.1% statistic matters to Kojima, you first need to appreciate his legendary game career. His rise began in the late 1980s, during a time when the MSX2 and other early home computers like the MSX home computer were popular in Japan.
- 1987: First Metal Gear Kojima made history when he released the first Metal Gear, a groundbreaking stealth-based title. Instead of focusing solely on combat, the game emphasized avoiding detection, creating a new genre that continues to influence anticipated games today.
- 1990s: Expanding the Franchise Kojima continued to build the Metal Gear franchise, eventually leading to Metal Gear Solid on the original Sony PlayStation. This game became a legendary game due to its cinematic cutscenes, interactive stealth mechanics, and groundbreaking storytelling.
- 2000s: Snake Eater and Beyond With Snake Eater and later titles, Kojima blended espionage, survival, and historical themes. His work on Metal Gear Solid elevated him into the ranks of the most influential game designers in the world.
- 2015: Phantom Pain The release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain showcased Kojima’s skill in creating open world environments. Despite its success, tensions with Konami led to his departure from the company after decades of collaboration.
- Independent Era: Kojima Productions After leaving Konami, Kojima founded Kojima Productions, an independent studio. Supported by Sony, he began developing new franchises like Death Stranding, proving he could succeed outside the shadow of Konami.
Alongside these milestones, Kojima also worked on innovative projects like Policenauts, versions of Snatcher, and visual novel games, showcasing his early flair for blending cinematic storytelling with interactive design.
Hideo Kojima’s Obsession With Death Stranding
When Death Stranding launched in 2019, it introduced the world to the strand concept—a term Kojima coined to describe a post-apocalyptic, immersive open world where players build bridges, lay down paths, and collaborate indirectly.
Features that made Death Stranding unique:
- The strand gameplay loop encouraged rebuilding society through shared player actions.
- A stunning soundtrack provided emotional weight to traversal and story.
- Cutting-edge visual fidelity on Sony PlayStation and later PS5 platforms.
- A cinematic narrative that blurred the lines between movie and videogame.
Reception was polarized at first, but the game has since achieved acclaim and developed a dedicated community. Many gamers consider it a masterpiece of innovation.
Kojima’s quirky updates about how many people keep playing Death Stranding 2 after the credits highlight his fascination with player behavior. While most directors stop measuring engagement once the story ends, Kojima continues to track what players do afterward. He isn’t just a game designer—he’s a sociologist of play.
The Vision for Death Stranding 2 in 2025
The 2024 PlayStation State of Play revealed new footage of Death Stranding 2, set for release in 2025. The sequel is one of the most anticipated games of the year and builds on the strand concept with new mechanics and narratives.
Expectations for Death Stranding 2 include:
- Cinematic storytelling with enhanced visual fidelity.
- Involvement of acclaimed actors like Hunter Schafer and Sophia Lillis.
- Expanded strand systems encouraging even more interactive cooperation.
- Technical leaps in physics and world design.
- Possible ports to PC and speculation around Xbox release, though Sony remains the primary backer.
Kojima said in interviews that Death Stranding 2 will push boundaries even further, making it more than just a sequel but a reinvention. For gamers, this aligns with Kojima’s legacy of refusing to simply repeat himself.
Hideo Kojima’s Expanding Creative Universe
Kojima is never satisfied with one project at a time. Beyond Death Stranding, he has been building a wide-ranging creative universe.
- OD A mysterious horror game created in collaboration with filmmaker Jordan Peele. The project promises to redefine what horror means in an interactive medium.
- Physint Announced as a new action-espionage franchise, Physint aims to merge film and videogame storytelling like never before. Kojima describes it as both a movie and a videogame, embodying his career-long obsession with cinematic experiences.
- Podcast on Spotify His show, Hideo Kojima Presents Brain Structure, dives into his thoughts on filmmaking, gaming, and creative inspiration.
- Cameos and Collaborations Kojima appeared in Cyberpunk 2077 and often cites Blade Runner as a major inspiration. His connections to film and literature highlight how he blends filmmaking with game creation.
- Global Presence From appearances in Tokyo to international expo events, Kojima continues to shape the conversation in the games industry.
Why Hideo Kojima Remains a Legendary Game Creator
What makes Kojima a legendary game creator isn’t just his resume—it’s his mindset.
- He refuses to be confined to one medium, seeing himself as a filmmaker, game creator, and game designer.
- He blurs the line between cinematic film and interactive gameplay.
- He’s a director Hideo who experiments with narrative, technology, and emotional resonance.
- His work spans stealth, open world, and post-apocalyptic design.
Kojima’s influence has touched nearly every corner of gaming, from the Sony PlayStation to Microsoft Xbox, from the Sega Saturn to modern PC gaming.
Table: Kojima’s Major Projects
| Year | Project | Platform | Legacy Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Metal Gear | MSX2 | Defined stealth gameplay |
| 1998 | Metal Gear Solid | Sony PlayStation | Introduced cinematic storytelling in gaming |
| 2004 | Snake Eater | PS2 | Elevated survival mechanics in espionage |
| 2015 | Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain | PS3/PS4 | Mastered open world stealth action |
| 2019 | Death Stranding | PS4/PC | Pioneered the strand genre |
| 2025 | Death Stranding 2 | PS5 (expected) | Among most anticipated games in 2025 |
Conclusion
From his earliest days developing on the MSX2 to his bold plans for Death Stranding 2, Hideo Kojima has remained one of the most daring figures in the games industry. His reputation as a legendary game creator comes not only from the Metal Gear franchise and Death Stranding, but also from his restless drive for innovation.
By tracking a quirky 0.1% increase in players continuing past the credits of Death Stranding 2, Kojima demonstrates his enduring curiosity about how gamers interact with his worlds. He isn’t satisfied with simply finishing a story—he wants to know what happens after.
Looking ahead to OD, Physint, and future collaborations, one thing is clear: Kojima will continue to push the boundaries of filmmaking, interactive design, and gaming itself. Whether through a remake, a new franchise, or a post-apocalyptic adventure, his influence is as strong as ever.
For fans, the message is simple: in Kojima’s worlds, every detail matters—even 0.1%.
