Hideo Kojima just dropped a trio of comments that pretty much sums up where he stands in 2025.
TL;DR
Hideo Kojima’s 2025 Update — Quick Summary
Hideo Kojima is continuing his creative journey in 2025 with multiple projects, including Death Stranding 2, the horror game OD, and the espionage title PhysInt. He discusses his evolving design philosophy and commitment to pushing boundaries in gaming.
- Kojima’s current projects: Death Stranding 2 is out, with PC release awaited, and Kojima Productions is working on OD, PhysInt, and a collaboration with Niantic.
- Reflections on Death Stranding: Kojima admits the first game was “too unique” and aims for better balance in the sequel, with some areas (like mountains) being adjusted after testing.
- OD (horror game): A collaboration with Microsoft, OD will be “completely different” from traditional horror, though Kojima isn’t sure how it will be received.
- PhysInt (espionage game): A more familiar concept, Kojima calls espionage games easy to make but plans to blend classic stealth mechanics with new cinematic elements.
- Innovation in design: Kojima blends experimental designs (OD) with classic gameplay (PhysInt), maintaining a balance that keeps fans engaged.
- Celebrating 10 years: Kojima Productions, now a full multimedia studio, continues to operate with full creative freedom, cementing Kojima’s role as an auteur in the gaming industry.
- Industry influence: Kojima has reshaped how genre and pacing are discussed, and projects like OD and PhysInt continue to push creative boundaries.
- What’s next: Kojima’s schedule is packed, and he’s not interested in repeating himself, keeping his projects fresh and innovative.
First, he called Death Stranding “too unique”. Second, he said his new horror title OD will be “completely different” from anything out there. And third, he joked that PhysInt, his upcoming espionage project, is so straightforward that he could make it in his sleep.
Kojima Productions Is Not Slowing Down
Since early 2025, Kojima Productions has been running at full speed. Death Stranding 2 launched on consoles and fans are still waiting for a PC release date. On the cinematic front, both live-action and animated adaptations are in the works. A Disney anime is moving forward, and three separate games are being developed: OD, PhysInt, and a project with Niantic.
Check out: Death Stranding 2 PC Port Leak: What We Know So Far
Revisiting Death Stranding and Learning From It
When asked about Death Stranding and its sequel, Kojima reflected on how he rarely sees a game as truly finished. He admitted he wanted to keep refining Death Stranding 2 until at least September. As for the first game, he now believes it was too unique for broad appeal. He said his team had to strike a better balance in the sequel.
One example stands out. In Death Stranding 2, a mountain area is double the height of anything in the original. During testing, players kept rolling down from the top to the bottom. Kojima loved the idea of climbing a few steps and needing a long pause. But even he admitted it was too much and might have worked better as a separate mode.
OD: Something Strange in the Shadows
Kojima describes OD as a horror game, but not in the way most expect. It is a collaboration with Microsoft and still under wraps, but he says it is “completely different” from traditional horror. OD is meant to be another experiment in form. He even admitted he is not sure if it will work. According to him, the trailer already holds a lot of hints.
PhysInt: The Familiar Side of Kojima
Compared to OD, PhysInt feels almost grounded. Kojima said espionage games are easy to make because core stealth systems are fun on their own. Infiltration, detection, takedowns, sneaking. He joked he could build PhysInt in his sleep. Kojima wants to blend that foundation with new elements, including ideas from cinema.
Innovation Meets Genre
OD and PhysInt are opposites in concept. One is a wildcard. The other is built on a classic framework. Both show how Kojima mixes experimental design with familiar gameplay. That balance is what keeps fans watching.
Ten Years of Kojima Productions
Founded in 2015, Kojima Productions is now a full multimedia studio. Death Stranding was the first example of Kojima operating with full creative freedom post-Konami. His team has grown it into a kind of auteur factory.
Kojima’s design philosophy leans toward risk. He builds games with narrative focus, often removing standard mechanics to create something harder to define. That includes everything from the P.T. teaser to Death Stranding.
Why the Industry Still Watches
Death Stranding changed how designers talk about genre and pacing. Even players who did not love it had strong opinions. Kojima’s audience stays loyal because he keeps pushing boundaries.
The Microsoft partnership backing OD shows how platform holders now fund creative risks. OD helps Microsoft support unconventional projects, while PhysInt speaks to espionage legacy. Many expect it to carry spiritual DNA from earlier Kojima works.
What Comes Next
Kojima’s schedule is packed. And if his latest comments are any indication, he’s not interested in coasting or repeating himself.