Kojima Creates Video Games to Inspire Happiness and Vitality in Players

Hideo Kojima’s Insights at Lucca Comics 2025

This past weekend, renowned game designer Hideo Kojima made headlines at Lucca Comics 2025 by participating in a special panel discussion alongside actors Luca Marinelli and Alissa Jung from his highly anticipated title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. During the session, Kojima shared valuable insights into the creative process behind the game, which notably included the challenges of remote filming during the pandemic.

The Purpose Behind Kojima’s Games

Kojima articulated a profound motivation that drives his game development: the desire to inspire joy and resilience in players. Reflecting on his upbringing, he remarked:

“I grew up watching movies or reading books. When you’re a child, you feel so dark about the world sometimes, but for me, there weren’t really good role models around me, so what helped me was movies. The characters, or the dialogues, or the theme of the movie really cheered me up. I thought that gave me energy to live on. So I want to return that and that’s one of the reasons I create games. If someone plays my game and, after a few years, feels like, ‘I want to live on because I played this game and it cheered me up, ’ that would be the happiest thing I would feel because I’ve put that thought into creating the game.”

Kojima emphasized the immersive nature of video games, noting that they can serve as a refuge from life’s pressures. His aspiration is that players can draw meaningful experiences from the relationships and themes explored in his games, which can translate into happiness in their real lives.

The Impact of Kojima’s Work

Those familiar with Kojima’s body of work recognize this philosophy as a reoccurring theme in his narrative style. His games have successfully resonated with audiences, leaving a lasting impression on many players.

Recent Launch and Future Prospects

On June 26, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was released exclusively for PlayStation 5, garnering widespread critical acclaim. With the rights to the franchise now under the control of Kojima Productions, fans eagerly anticipate the potential release of the game on PC, and possibly even on Xbox Series S and X, projected for 2026, much like its predecessor.

Kojima’s vision for his games continues to push boundaries, fostering emotional connections and providing inspiration to countless individuals. The evolution of his storytelling reveals an ongoing commitment to enhancing the gaming experience while promoting happiness and personal growth.

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