Hideo Kojima, the iconic game director behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, recently voiced his frustration with the state of modern AAA video games. In an interview, Kojima said many current titles feel repetitive, uninspired, and overly cautious. He called most new big-budget games “safe and tremendously boring” and said he rarely plays them anymore.
Kojima explained that after watching trailers during the Summer Game Fest, he noticed a troubling trend. Many of the games featured similar themes and visuals, including science fiction or medieval settings. He said the designs, systems, and gameplay loops were nearly identical, which made it hard to tell one title from another. While some players may enjoy that familiarity, Kojima believes the industry has become too dependent on these predictable formulas.
According to Kojima, the most exciting and creative work is coming from indie developers. He praised their willingness to take risks and experiment with new ideas. In contrast, he said AAA studios are stuck recycling content to play it safe and protect financial returns. He believes this fear of failure limits creativity and holds the medium back.
In one example, Kojima described working with a stealth-focused game development team that claimed to be aiming for realism. However, he said he was disappointed to find that they lacked even a basic understanding of how to disassemble a firearm. This disconnect between what developers say and what they research, he said, shows how superficial many projects have become.
Kojima has always believed that innovation requires risk. He stated, “If there is no risk, there won’t be any good things that would be born.” This mindset shaped his approach to Death Stranding, a game that broke away from traditional action formulas. Though it received mixed reviews, Kojima said he expected the reaction to be split. To him, dividing opinion is better than making something forgettable.
Despite his criticism of the current state of the industry, Kojima continues to push forward with his projects. He is working on a horror game in collaboration with Jordan Peele, OD, and a new espionage title called Physint that blends film and games. The game is being developed for the next PlayStation console. Kojima has also said he hopes to one day create a game in space, and has looked into the possibility of training at the International Space Station.
Kojima’s comments reflect a growing concern among players and developers about the lack of originality in mainstream gaming. As publishers focus more on sequels and predictable gameplay, creators like Kojima are calling for a return to experimentation and bold ideas. Whether studios will take that message seriously remains to be seen.
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