Why Kojima puts ‘a Hideo Kojima game’ in his works

In an essay published by Glixel, Hideo Kojima talks about Guillermo del Toro’s latest movie, The Shape of Water. In it he discusses the difficulties of retaining authorship over a large production in a market driven industry – whether it be Hollywood or the AAA games industry. However, Kojima feels that the ‘creator’s soul’ is important for the creation, and for that reason he labels his own games with the famous ‘a Hideo Kojima game’ line, in the same way The Shape of Water is ‘a Guillermo del Toro film’.

[gangsta_red]

Ego.

[-Foxtrot]

Don't know why people are disagreeing...I like the guy but he does come off as a times a little big headed.

I mean the amount of times it was used in MGSV alone.

Hell they started selling mugs, shirts and other merchandise of his new studio before it had even gotten it's self off the ground.

[gangsta_red]

It reminds me of M. Night who just automatically starting putting his name on movies. Not saying Kojima makes shitty ass games but it all has to do with ego.

[bloop]

A Hideo Kojima article.

[bluefox755]

Same. I'm a fan of his work, but I don't know how anyone can deny that he's a bit full of himself.

[cooperdnizzle]

Because he is a Legend, so he can market and sale a brand aka his new studio. Of course he has an ego everybody has an ego. He has a proven track record of being great. In my opinion that is when I little ego is okay. Put up or shut up... He puts up

[_-EDMIX-_]

He's also trying to establish that game developers need to still be given their actual credit for the work they create I mean that would be like a director not putting his name on a film he created or an author not putting their name on a book they wrote.

You don't need to like Kojima but what he's done for gaming is absolutely huge he's been able to give a face and a name to his projects as opposed to games basically being faceless and regards to their Developers. I would say the only other person that has been able to do something like that is Shakira Miyamoto.

[ecchiless]

@ed

who the fck is shakira miyamoto? the daugther of shakira the singer and shigeru miyamoto? she also make games?

[_-EDMIX-_]

@ecc- lol I thought I hit edit.

It's fine lol

[ooquis]

Foxtrot, let's first wait for death stranding then we can judge whether he's got a ego problem.

[DarXyde]

gangsta_red,

Except M. Night made ONE movie in the nineties that was passable (The Sixth Sense) and everyone started calling him the "master of suspense". What rubbish. I'm incapable of forgiving him after The Last Airbender.

I think M. Night just hasn't earned that right. At all. I do believe that Kojima at times comes off as very sure of himself, but he's also remarkably humble. He even conceded that MGS V is inferior to GTA V before either game even released. For me, I think it's partly ego, but I also believe it's more a matter of product identity so people who love his work know to look for his games and what to expect. There are certain themes Kojima tries to inject into his works. Rather than comparing him to M. Night, I think it's more appropriate to compare his "A Hideo Kojima Game" branding to "Stanley Kubrick's...". There are certain expectations that come with enjoying their works and people who follow(ed) their works have a general sense of what some themes may be. In my experience, it's very rare to have someone who likes one of Kubrick's films and hates others or vice versa. I feel similarly about Kojima.

...in Kojima's case, it'll be a memorable experience that may take a couple of plays to fully understand.

[TekoIie]

Yeh i feel a bit the same about this.

I hope this doesn't mean we end up seeing "A David Cage game" plastered over box art in the future.

[fluxmulder]

No kidding. I liked how there was a credits sequence before every single main mission in MGSV.

[generic-user-name]

Then he has loads in common with a bunch of fanboys on this site.

[2pacalypsenow]

Because their his games.

Directors do it for their movies all the time.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Apparently you're not allowed to take credit for the work you created

[gangsta_red]

Yes, because credits at the end of the game and sometimes in options don't exist.

Absolutely no one said he wasn't suppose to take credit for his work.

[Damthatsword]

Ahhh i guess that explains why no one else does it....wait.

[masterfox]

Because he knows when he makes a game is going to be awesome!, no seriously he did a freaking PS2 mech game with perfect controls, something very rare for this type of games, this with only one try.

[360ICE]

*Two tries
Zone of the Enders was good, maybe even better than its sequel, but controls in ZoE2 were drastically improved

[strayanalog]

Always thought Kojima did it because his games were like movies, so he was trying to transcend.‎

[MonChiChi]

Pretty sure thats the jist of it. He is a huge movie nut.

[Imalwaysright]

The movie conversations between the paramedic and Snake in MGS3 is one of the many reasons that makes it the best game I ever played.

[Knushwood Butt]

In the same way he ripped off John Carpenter.

Oh, wait, I wonder where he got the idea for Snake from?????

[FullmetalRoyale]

The name’s Plissken.

[Paytaa]

Escape From NY is still one of my favorite movies of all time

[MonChiChi]

Yep, I own the film and still wound up DVR'ing it couple months back lol.

[Knushwood Butt]

Same here.

The Thing is better, but I can always watch EFNY again.

You're A number one !

[MunchMiller00]

I think at this point in time, it's safe to say he does it because of his hilariously inflated ego.

Every game series this guy introduced, was based on north american movies. Yet, still thinks his farts smell like roses.

[Pancit_Canton]

Because he's creating a masterpiece. Every artist or painter put their name on their work. It's a sign of their approval of quality. You just don't put your name of it, if you think your creation sucks. Your reputation is on the line every time you put your seal of approval.

[Enigma_2099]

Because #F*cKonami.

[PhoenixUp]

I’m more interested in why Tom Clancy’s name has to be in the actual title of so many games

[Pancit_Canton]

Because all the Tom Clancy's video games are based on his books.

[PhoenixUp]

Not all of them. The Division isn’t based on any Tom Clancy book yet his name is in the title.

[Araragifeels]

Because they used the title to sell the games so people who loves Tom Clancy games might buy it rather than a new IP with it own identity.

[mastershredder]

The Morrissey of gaming. Concept by Hideo Kojima, carbon diaoxide by Hideo Kojima, used toilet paper by Hideo Kojima. Seriously, screw this guy.

[TheColbertinator]

Because Kojima is a maestro

[TheOttomatic91]

Because why the f**k not, as long he keeps making awesome games they can say whatever they want.

[Last_Boss]

The least of the industries problems, and he's a pioneer in the Japanese games world.

[ooquis]

He has achieved legendary status in the game development community, the people have spoken.

[Eyesoftheraven]

He's not big-headed, egotistical. In fact he even takes care to state: " but it’s not for the sake of vanity; it’s a statement and a signature stating whose love and soul is in the creation. It’s pride and responsibility towards the creation."

Look, he's not an average individual working an average job. These projects take extreme long-term dedication. He and his team who also get credit feel a very strong connection to what to many people is just another product to toss around.

[thepluggy]

it was really annoying that he used it in EVERY mission in MGS5.

[andibandit]

Shouldn't he be like super busy with Death Stranding development/marketing?? why is he spending time on talking about his name and soul?

[Gatsu]

Because he have life outside of game development too....

[Tross]

If my name alone was enough to sell millions, I'd slap it on all my works. I don't blame Kojima for doing it.

[C-H-E-F]

So mofos can know IT JUST GOT REAL. lmao but nah in all seriousness, he loves movies so his tagline is no different than James Cameron or any other director that says similar taglines in their movies.

[headshotfrosty]

It's called branding. Consumers associate brands with experiences. He makes great games. Anytime you see his name chances are it\ll be a wothwhile investment. Having his name appear makes it an easier more recognizable choice for consumers