When Hideo Kojima quite all of a sudden left Konami in 2016 and, quickly after, opened his personal studio, the transfer despatched shockwaves all through the trade. At the moment, Kojima Productions has established itself as a AAA growth studio inside Japan identified most of all for 3D-scanning celebrities and growing the Dying Stranding franchise, which can quickly transfer past gaming because it’s adapted into anime and a live-action movie. Trying ahead, the studio additionally plans to develop its vary with Physint and OD: Knock in partnership with Xbox.
It’s one of many extra fascinating tales from the final decade of the Japanese video games trade, not only for how Kojima Productions got here to be however for the way it’s sustained itself as a studio. Kojima has leaned on his identify recognition to show the studio right into a model unto itself, and the director retains himself and the studio within the highlight via an array of movie work, social media posts, radio reveals, cameos in TV dramas, and extra.
Within the upmarket space of Azabudai in central Tokyo, with the historic Tokyo Tower landmark in view, an exhibition trying again on the previous decade of the studio has opened for a restricted time. Not simply chronicling the general public historical past of the studio, the occasion additionally featured new info and unseen idea artwork for Dying Stranding, alongside particulars in regards to the firm’s in-development Xbox titles. After visiting the exhibition throughout its opening days earlier this week, listed here are ten issues we realized in regards to the studio and its array of upcoming titles.
Physint Will Take Place Inside A “New Chilly Conflict”
When this exhibition was first introduced, Kojima Productions promised not only a look again on the previous 10 years of the studio, however a glance ahead at its in-development work on Physint and OD: Knock as effectively. That mentioned, precise new details about Physint was mild, maybe because of the sport’s turbulent summer season which noticed publishing shift from Sony to Xbox. All we may collect about work on that sport got here from some key ideas seen on a show copy of the sport’s script.
Although behind glass, the hefty doc made a number of vital bits of details about Physint seen, offering our first trace in regards to the setting of this new sport. Notably, this sport will happen inside what the script calls “The Subsequent Chilly Conflict.” This struggle is outlined by three philosophies: HUMINT (“human intelligence”), SIGINT (“indicators intelligence,” no matter that will entail, maybe involving communication ultimately), and OSINT (“open-source intelligence”). From this, it appears doubtless that the time period PHYSINT refers to one thing alongside the traces of bodily intelligence, however that’s nonetheless unconfirmed.
On the script’s cowl, it seems that there’s a phrase that comes after Physint and has been redacted, suggesting we don’t but know the sport’s full, remaining title. We additionally noticed some fashions of issues that seem in-game, together with a number of mechs that look suspiciously like Metallic Gear. Contemplating Kojima referred to the title as being in the same vein as his earlier stealth series, that’s not fully unsurprising.
The Kojima Productions Emblem Underwent Many Iterations
Kojima Productions has turn into greater than a studio: it’s a model. The merchandise that includes the studio’s brand and spacesuit-wearing Lumens character is proof of this. It seems that having a putting brand was a consideration from early on, as we acquired a uncommon look into the design course of for the emblem and mascot on the present. Notably, whereas the present brand includes a cranium inside a spacesuit and emphasizes the pinnacle of the character, lots of the early designs featured the complete character waving a flag. One other reveals a knighted character that appears considerably like Raiden from the Metallic Gear sequence.
Early Dying Stranding Prototype Showcases The Evolution Of In-Recreation Traversal
コジマプロダクション10周年記念展覧会の会場では、『デス・ストランディング』（デススト）のプロトタイプの映像展示も！ その動画の一部を公開。
展覧会のリポートは以下の記事をチェック。https://t.co/59REcvXkZz pic.twitter.com/BFMISv9ZiE
— ファミ通.com (@famitsu) October 30, 2026
Whereas many of the exhibit allowed guests to freely snap photographs of all of the idea artwork and design paperwork on show, pictures was restricted on a brief video containing footage of the unique prototype for Dying Stranding. Fortunately, no less than a part of this video has been shared by Famitsu.
Even on this early state, the sport appears to be like quite near the ultimate launch. It appears the idea of working round a sparse, mountainous setting was determined, and we are able to see tough gameplay of a generic character mannequin choosing up cargo and shifting across the surroundings. One other piece of footage proven, taken from additional alongside in growth, offers an early glimpse of how BTs have been applied within the sport. They’re proven appearing for extra aggressively than they do within the remaining sport, suggesting the emphasis on fight was considerably toned down earlier than launch.
We Acquired To See Tons Of Early Idea Artwork And Planning Paperwork For Dying Stranding
Whereas some idea artwork for the unique Dying Stranding has been launched to the general public through artwork books, numerous never-before-seen art work and pictures for the sport was proven on the occasion, making up a large portion of the exhibit. This included early makes an attempt at a brand, unique sketches by designer Yoji Shinkawa, and extra.
Notably notable, nevertheless, have been the screens on numerous partitions exhibiting behind-the-scenes footage of movement seize and the way the designs for every character modified throughout growth. Early cutscenes have been printed on planning paperwork with Kojima’s handwritten notes (in amusingly shiny gel pen). And, after all, we acquired a quick take a look at the newborn doll that was used throughout these periods, and the unique 3D-printed prototype for the Pods that maintain the BBs within the sport.
Summaries of paperwork despatched to Sony throughout the starting stage of Dying Stranding to safe help from the corporate have been additionally on show. These paperwork clarify the idea of “Strand” gameplay as a style through which a number of gamers not directly work together in the identical area. The paperwork additionally convey that the idea of the sport is to “unite us all” via your actions as you traverse the USA. Early idea artwork for all the main characters, together with a vastly totally different model of Fragile, are additionally on show.
The sport’s complicated growth pipeline was additionally documented in pictures that have been on show, conveying simply what number of differing, simultaneous duties a crew should undertake to take a sport from idea to completed product inside AAA sport growth.
Dying Stranding 2’s Story Modified A Lot Due To Covid-19
Whereas some name the primary Dying Stranding prophetic for a way its ideas of connection and supply have been later realized in actual life when the world shut down throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, it seems Dying Stranding 2’s story was radically reworked to contemplate the altered state of the world as every part shut down to stop the unfold of the virus.
Primarily based on paperwork proven on the occasion, the primary idea for Dying Stranding 2 was produced in 2017, towards the top of growth on the primary sport. Most notable from these paperwork is a vastly totally different ending to the sport in comparison with the one we truly acquired—a much more optimistic and optimistic one. The destiny of all of the characters is revealed, with Fragile alive and main a supply crew, and Wet and Tomorrow elevating a child collectively.
正式リリースされた #DeathStranding2 とは異なる初期案が面白そう過ぎる
中米から南米まで繋げるとか街を作るとか縦移動が増えるとか続編でも使えそう
没案が2に活かされるもあった気がするし
あとすごいハッピーエンドな案もあって涙が出そう、こうなって欲しかった#コジプロ展 #KojimaProductions pic.twitter.com/wWDLv02AQ8— 百合@ポーター・ブリッジス🇯🇵🇺🇦 (@L_lily_Porter) November 2, 2026
The doc additionally particulars subterranean gameplay that may permit for larger selection in traversal, although the general idea of connecting the world was current from this early state. It additionally seems that even right now, Elle Fanning had already been thought-about for Tomorrow, as her identify is introduced up within the doc.
Kojima Productions Utilized A Distinctive Zoom-Like Communication System To Support Distant Growth
We shall be exhibiting “MADO,” a telepresence system that permits seamless two-way communication between distant places. We used it throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for efficiency seize periods connecting Los Angeles and Tokyo. All through the exhibition, “MADO” will constantly… https://t.co/Y7Jc3HzYJG pic.twitter.com/oxwhnpvQGS
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) October 18, 2026
To assist in growth, and particularly with scanning actors and conducting movement seize when borders have been closed throughout the pandemic, Kojima Productions developed its personal communication system to help in networking with actors and distant staff, generally known as Mado (Japanese for “window”). Developed by MUSVI Corporation, Mado was used to attach individuals in a extra immersive method than a mere video name may permit for. Kojima Productions used it to attach with movement seize studios in Los Angeles for more practical path of actors throughout these periods, even when separated throughout totally different international locations and time zones.
For the exhibition, the know-how was on show with a direct feed to the Kojima Productions workplace in actual time, offering a so-called window into the studio. Throughout our go to, this confirmed the realm within the studio the place 3D scans of actors are carried out, however plainly this shall be modified up all through the occasion.
こんな感じで麻布台ヒルズギャラリーの「窓」🪟とコジプロの「窓」🪟を繋いでいます。
たまに小島監督も登場しています！#コジプロ展 #BeyondtheStrand https://t.co/ECvNIsSaP1 pic.twitter.com/LuChYDrz09— Ayako (Sensitive!) (@Kaizerkunkun) November 5, 2026
Workers members at Kojima Productions will make unscheduled appearances on the video conferencing software to talk with attendees all through the length of the exhibition. Throughout our go to, Kojima himself made a quick look to talk with guests in Japanese and English. Don’t take that as a assure that visiting the occasion shall be an opportunity to speak to the person himself, but it surely’s seemingly not inconceivable.
There Are So, So Many Cross-Media Collaborations For Kojima Productions (And Even A Credit score Card!)
Kojima Productions is excess of simply the video games it develops. To an extent, the exhibit feels as very similar to a showcase for the studio’s multimedia and merchandising efforts because it does a window into the corporate’s sport growth course of. A complete part of the exhibition ground is devoted to the varied exterior partnerships the studio has created, together with storyboards for its numerous anime tasks together with Dying Stranding Isolations, and even credit cards released in collaboration with Japanese bank MUFG.
These partnerships have been peppered throughout the present ground. Within the photography-prohibited showcase of latest info for OD: Knock, a particular RIMOWA customized suitcase to carry a statue of the sport’s protagonist was on show. The case included the letters H Ok on a baggage tag, surrounded by crows. One other part featured the various musical partnerships for Dying Stranding 1 and 2. Increasing Kojima Productions past gaming was a key level of emphasis all through the exhibit—the merchandise retailer on the occasion consists of new clothes collaborations with F.C. Actual Bristol and a chibi-fied plushie of Kojima himself.
We Performed An Early Prototype Of A Niantic-Powered Dying Stranding Cellular Recreation
Attendees of the exhibition get an opportunity to play an early demo of a deliberate AR sport for cell phones created in partnership with Niantic Spatial. Known as Dying Stranding: Odradek (Tokyo Prototype), it makes use of the know-how underpinning Pokémon Go to have you ever ship parcels in the true world. At present that is very scripted (the one accessible deliveries exist inside the Azabudai space of Tokyo surrounding the exhibit), however one can assume the sport may routinely generate new deliveries for gamers wherever on the planet in a possible future model for basic audiences.
Gamers would additionally have to take care of their very own BB, and the sport makes use of the digicam in your cellphone to scan the world round you for signposts and steering from different gamers. Taking the Strand gameplay idea into this new title, gamers can “like” useful steering, and it’s even potential to run into BTs when utilizing your cellphone’s digicam to look around the globe.
OD: Knock Used GoPro Shoots To Refine Its First-Individual Perspective
New details about the upcoming horror sport OD: Knock was showcased on the exhibition, though pictures was strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, what we noticed was a sport taking clear cues from the experiments Kojima did with PT and persevering with his makes an attempt to convey the worlds of live-action filmmaking and video video games collectively.
With a view to mannequin how traversal is introduced within the sport, Kojima and his crew recorded a walkthrough of a real-world surroundings utilizing a first-person perspective captured on GoPro cameras, earlier than recreating the fisheye perspective and framing of those pictures just about inside the sport’s engine. One comparability picture confirmed {a photograph} of a dual-GoPro picture depicting a grimy kitchen countertop and a window looking onto a humid British avenue, in comparison with the same shot captured in-engine.
OD: Knock Staff Didn’t Simply Scan Individuals: They 3D-Scanned Classic Furnishings And An Whole TV Drama Set
Clearly not content material with solely scanning individuals for his video games, Kojima has taken issues additional in terms of what he’ll digitize. Detailing the 3D scanning course of, the exhibition confirmed that the crew partnered with 2024 TBS TV drama Sayonara, Maestro! in an effort to seize detailed 3D scans of lots of the present’s units for reuse within the sport.
The drama, which follows a conductor named Natsume (performed by Drive My Automotive actor Hidetoshi Nishijima) returning to Japan and making an attempt to rebuild his relationship along with his daughter, couldn’t be farther from the horror story being introduced in OD. Nevertheless, the present makes use of units for the inside of the house the pair reside in. The Kojima Productions crew took detailed scans of the units to assist them mannequin a household house, although simply how that setting shall be used within the sport has not but been revealed. Kojima’s radio program can be produced in partnership with TBS, doubtless serving to to facilitate the director’s efforts to scan the set.
Equally, the crew has digitized numerous items of classic furnishings, comparable to previous dressers, in an effort to be certain that such furnishings in-game regarded sufficiently aged.
The Kojima Productions exhibition in Tokyo runs till December twentieth, and followers of the studio’s video games are positive to benefit from the a whole bunch of unseen items of idea artwork and design paperwork that present a window into the previous decade of sport growth on the studio. Greater than that, nevertheless, it reveals how expansive the Kojima Productions mission has turn into. If Kojima’s work at Konami was largely restricted to his work on Metallic Gear Strong and his actions as a sport developer, Kojima Productions has made him the pinnacle of an leisure firm and model that occurs to make video games.
The very fact the corporate has organized its personal exhibition the place motion pictures and merchandise are as distinguished as sport design is proof of that. The RIMOWA customized case? Kojima showcased his own suitcase in a separate exhibition final month in Tokyo. He’s worked with Prada. The corporate routinely works with celebrities identified for appearing and filmmaking, and as you enter the exhibit, thank-you messages from many such figures together with Norman Reedus and Mamoru Oshii welcome you to the occasion.
This isn’t a foul factor. It’s simply emblematic of how, as sport growth turns into costlier, supporting such high-budget work requires that you simply produce greater than only a single sport or DLC on the finish of the highway. It’s essential to produce a high-quality sport, after all, and the idea artwork and design paperwork exhibiting simply how a lot effort the studio places into its video games show that Kojima Productions takes that very significantly. However creating ardour that can have followers flocking to purchase that costly jacket with the studio brand on it and cost it to a branded bank card? That’s one thing else fully.