In a new report, the Matrix creators and directors, the Wachowskis, reached out to Konami to get Hideo Kojima on board for a game based on the film in the late ’90s, but Konami allegedly said no.
The report also details Kojima’s feelings on the potential project, and he was on board. But the idea was reportedly shut down by one of the company’s higher-up executives according to a former vice president of licensing at Konami Digital Entertainment. In an interview with Time Extension, former Konami Digital Entertainment VP of licensing, Christopher Bergstresser, talked about the long-rumoured Kojima-led Matrix game in 2000.
According to Bergstresser, these discussions with Konami didn’t continue beyond a few phrases. A Konami executive allegedly refused the proposal hastily when the question of Kojima potentially working on a Matrix game was brought up. The refusal came from Konami’s Kazumi Kitaue, who would go on to become CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment. The Wachowskis were apparently admirers of Hideo Kojima’s work; so, they wanted to meet with the Metal Gear Solid Director when The Matrix was set to have its Japanese premiere.
Bergstresser said, “The Wachowskis were big fans of Kojima,” adding, “So Kazumi Kitaue, Kojima, Aki Saito (who still works with Kojima), and I were at the Konami HQ, and we got a call from the Wachowskis, who wanted to come in and meet with Kojima. So they did.” He continues, “The two of them came in with their concept artist, and effectively they said to Kojima: ‘We really want you to do the Matrix game. Can you do that?’ “Aki translated this into Japanese for Mr Kitaue, and Kitaue just looked at them and told them plainly: ‘No.’ We did still get to enjoy the Matrix Japanese premiere and afterparty, though.”
Konami released Metal Gear Solid 2 in 2001, so it makes sense as to why Konami would decline the offer. Before this interview, Time Extension points out there was evidence of this meeting, but this is the first time fans have heard anything about it directly from someone who was there in person. The publication claims a different Konami employee told them that this story isn’t fully accurate. Hideo Kojima reportedly showed “strong interest” in making a Matrix game after Kitaue shut it down.
Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid 2 development diary suggests some details of Bergstresser’s account are supported. Hideo Kojima mentioned that on August 25th, 1999, he met the Wachowskis and their concept artist, Geoff Darrow, in Hyatt Park, Shinjuku, on the day of the Matrix‘s Japanese premiere.
While a Hideo Kojima-led Matrix game never came to fruition, there have been many adaptations of The Matrix since then. The original video game, Enter The Matrix, developed by Shiny Entertainment, went on to become very successful, selling over one million units just over a week after its launch in May 2003.
