Hideo Kojima revealed that he receives offers to buy his game studio almost every day.
Hideo Kojima hosted episode 10 of his Spotify podcast the third local time as a special feature of December’s gaming event, The Game Awards (TGA). In response, TGA rep and host Jeff Kayley, who maintains a close relationship with Kojima, appeared on the podcast.
On this day, through a conversation with Jeff Kayley, Kojima shared various stories, from rumors of new games to opinions on the gaming media. In particular, the part that caught the industry’s attention was the story surrounding the proposed acquisition of Kojima Productions. Kojima spoke of the continuing acquisition rumors, revealing that he often receives ridiculously high offers.
In the past, the takeover of Kojima Productions by major game companies, including Sony and Xbox, the platform’s two main holders, has been raised multiple times depending on comments from various insiders and the vibe of the industry. .
Rumors about the acquisition of Sony came to mind, and they have worked closely together since the studio was founded. Sony supported Kojima Productions with Decima Engine, the game engine for Horizon Zero Dawn, from Guerrilla Games. In particular, when Kojima shared content on social media that included Death Stranding, the company’s game, in Sony’s main banner image, some argued that it had actually been recognized, gaining strength.
Rumors continued that Microsoft’s Xbox would acquire Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, and Kojima Productions was also on the acquisitions list. Additionally, through the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase held in June, when the collaboration with a never-before-seen concept through cloud technology became known, many people anticipated the possibility of acquiring Xbox’s Kojima Productions. Reporter Jeff Grubb, who reports several inside sources, also said Xbox is continuing an acquisition deal with Kojima Productions ahead of the collaboration.
Whenever these rumors circulated, Kojima said that the rumors about the acquisition weren’t true. However, it was not revealed whether the transaction actually took place. This means that Kojima admitted through his podcast that the takeover bid actually came and went.
However, Kojima has revealed that he wants to create a game that he wants to make rather than money and maintains his independence.
In the past, Kojima has revealed that Kojima Productions is an “indie” games company despite the size of the studio and the high development costs of the game. He also claimed that the company incorporation was independently formed with his own pocket money without any financial support from anyone.
In line with this keynote, Kojima presented a game different from the existing box office formula, starting with Death Stranding, the first work. Furthermore, by opening a film studio, he is also engaging in the production of films in which he has a deep interest and expertise. Around the same time that the podcast was released, a playback video of Overdose, which is currently in development, has leaked, and a new project with Elle Fanning and Kutsuna Shiori is also being developed that is expected to appear. . Information on the new game is expected to be confirmed via the TGA in December.
Meanwhile, Kojima herself has hosted a podcast on Spotify since August and spoke with Get Out and Earth director Jordan Peele, brilliant animator and director Mamoru Oshii, and Indian director SS Rajamoli.
