Not worried about Japanese games market
Kojima Productions’ first game, when it releases presumed years from now, will be a PlayStation console exclusive thanks to the new studio’s partnership with Sony. Studio head Hideo Kojima (have you read his name enough times in the last five minutes? Directed by Hideo Kojima) chose Sony over, “a lot of offers from overseas companies.”
“I feel like this is an environment where I will be able to make something and feel comfortable,” he said, “and I believe that’s the environment I need right now.” It was a case of familiarity — something that Kojima might want at least a smidge of after decades at the same company.
“It’s thanks to Sony that I was able to make a splash in the global market. It’s been 10-plus years since then and the working relationship at Sony, the people at Sony, we gel well…. I got several offers from many different companies, but with Sony it came to a point where I know these people, they know me, we know each other well.” Kojima noted, “it would have been interesting to develop a relationship” with a non-Japanese company, but familiarity won out — and more than brand allegiance.
“One way or another,” Kojima said, “everything will end up being multiplatform.” It’s worth noting again that the partnership release stated specifically “console exclusivity.”
Kojima is also not worried about a downward trending Japanese games industry. “I make games in Japan for a global market. As long as there’s a market out there in the world for making games, I’m not too focused on what’s happening in the domestic market in Japan.”
