Hideo Kojima

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS - HIDEOBLOG English


Gamer or not, one cannot deny the influence that Hideo Kojima has had on this generation. Did you just see that comercial of the new James Bond game? Hideo Kojima. Splinter Cell? Hideo Kojima. Although Kojima-san did not produce or direct either game, it is because of his influence that these game exist.

With the release of Metal Gear Solid foe the PS1 in 1998, the way games were made were changed forever. This pivitol release resulted in greater emphasis in storytelling, graphics, sound and basic overall production values. Metal Gear Solid featured a Hollywood style cast, featuring David Hayter as the lead role: Solid Snake. No more would gamers have to suffer through horrible voice acting in video games (although it still happens, though these games hardly garner the same amount of attention as bigger releases), as Hayter superbly voiced a character who is now a video game icon. More importantly: The game was fun. Metal Gear Solid set a new standard for the Action/Stealth genre and it continues to set the new standard with its new releases.

However, after the iminent release of Metal Gear Solid 4, Kojima will no longer be at the reins of the legendary franchise. Some fans would see this as a dissapointment, but I embrace this change, for it will only give this legendary developer a chance to broaden his horizons and undoubtedly become an even better game designer.