Hideo Kojima is known for playing some tricks with fans of his works when it comes time to market his games. This could first be seen leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, where marketing material and trailers hid the fact that most of the stealth title featured an entirely new protagonist. When it comes to Death Stranding, however, he has taken a different approach.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Kojima spoke about the gameplay trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which many players have discovered features scenes from late in the game, and how he has stopped trying to mess with fans with his trailers. This, he noted, came down to the change in the media environment these days.
“Harrison Ford played the Red Hulk, if you remember that movie, and this was supposed to be a big reveal. But when we went to see it, the poster was already on display at the movie theater,” Kojima said, referring to Captain America: Brave New World. “We’re living in that kind of era of information, and I wanted to use that as a hook.”
He also spoke about a similar trick played by Naughty Dog leading up to the release of The Last of Us Part 2, which hid the fact that The Last of Us protagonist Joel would be killed off quite early in the sequel, with protagonist duties then being split up between Ellie and Abby. “Remember … when the main character died. Many people became furious,” he noted.
With his own projects, however, Kojima spoke about wanting to building more bridges with his fans by not hiding too much from them. Rather, he is more interested in drip-feeding spoilers without context, as we saw with the gameplay trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
“I’m trying to make it different from a movie or a book, where people say, ‘Oh I knew that all along,’” he said. “It’s more like if you play 60 hours, and at the very end you feel it’s great that it was a happy ending, just as you hoped at first. I put that in deliberately. I deliberately drip-feed those kinds of spoilers.”
Kojima has quite a bit to say about the recent state of things when it comes to the gaming industry. Back in July, he spoke about the development teams working on AAA games being too big and bloated. He also noted about games unveiled during Summer Games Fest earlier this year as looking too similar, since they involved players fighting either alien monsters or medieval monsters.
“Even the visuals and the systems are pretty much the same,” he said, “and a lot of people enjoy this, I understand, but it is important to put something really new in there for the industry.”
He also spoke about the importance of game developers understanding the subject matter of the games they’re working on. Remembering a story about advising a studio on the development of a stealth game, he recalled being disappointed that “People who are making military games, they probably don’t know how to dismantle a gun or shoot a gun.” He continued, “So that’s kind of sad.”
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was released on PS5 earlier this year. For more details about the title, check out our review.
It’s great to see Hideo Kojima considering a more straightforward approach with the marketing for Death Stranding 2. Fans appreciate transparency, and it will be interesting to see how this affects their anticipation for the game. Looking forward to what he has in store!
I agree! A more straightforward marketing strategy could help fans better connect with the game’s themes. It’ll be interesting to see how this shift influences the overall anticipation and reception of Death Stranding 2.
Absolutely! A clearer marketing approach might not only build anticipation but also create a more genuine dialogue between Kojima and the fans. It could help set more accurate expectations for the gameplay experience as well.
I completely agree! A more transparent marketing strategy can foster a stronger connection between Kojima and his fans. It could also lead to more genuine discussions about the game’s themes and mechanics, making the community even more engaged as they eagerly await its release.
Absolutely! Transparency can really enhance the excitement and trust between creators and fans. It’s interesting to see how Kojima’s approach might evolve as he balances surprise elements with authenticity in his storytelling.
I completely agree! When creators are open about their projects, it can lead to a deeper connection with fans. Plus, it allows the audience to appreciate the game’s development process more, rather than just the final product. Kojima’s approach might set a new standard in the industry!
Absolutely, transparency can really enhance the fan experience. It’s interesting to see how Kojima’s approach may evolve, especially since the narrative in his games is often so intricate. Being upfront could allow fans to engage with the story in a more meaningful way from the start!
approach to marketing has evolved over time. By focusing on transparency, he might not only build trust but also create a more engaging narrative leading up to the game’s release. It’ll be fascinating to see how this shift impacts fan expectations and the overall reception of Death Stranding 2.
That’s an interesting point! By being more transparent, Kojima could foster a deeper connection with fans, allowing them to engage more meaningfully with the story and its themes. It will be fascinating to see how this change impacts the anticipation for Death Stranding 2.
Absolutely! Transparency in marketing could not only build trust but also allow fans to engage with the story and characters on a more meaningful level. It’s exciting to think about how this approach might change the overall experience of the game!