Kojima Fans Upset by ‘AI Slop’ Video Featuring Death Stranding Collaborator and Prada

Another day, another frustrating example of generative AI clutter on social media. This time, the spotlight shines on one of gaming’s legendary figures: Hideo Kojima. Teaming up with Danish filmmaker Nicholas Winding Refn, known for his work on Death Stranding, Kojima appears in a 90-second teaser for a six-minute short film promoting Prada Mode, a pop-up nightclub from the fashion brand. Fans of Kojima are expressing their discontent with his involvement, making their feelings known across social platforms.

In the teaser posted on Refn’s account, Kojima and Refn don ’60s-inspired silver suits as they pilot a sleek silver spacecraft. After an elegantly styled round of what looks like space checkers, a siren blares, and their ship gently lands on a nearby planet. They emerge from a pool of green water, making exertion sounds near a large gray octopus without engaging in any combat. Then, an attractive blonde woman telepathically lifts their craft from the water while levitating colorful rocks. The duo continues their journey, stopping in New York City, likely to attend the Prada Mode event at the Chelsea Hotel from June 3-7. Sure, why not?

“Throughout our extended friendship, Hideo Kojima and I have shared the feeling that we were somehow split from the same consciousness moving through different lives while orbiting the same obsessions. That idea became the spark for a film: a space odyssey following us as we traverse a sci-fi dreamscape,” Winding Refn stated. “Created in collaboration with Prada, the project is both an artistic experiment and a playful exploration of new creative possibilities through AI technology.”

However, that last part about “playful exploration of new creative possibilities through AI technology” didn’t sit well with many. Commenters on social media voiced their frustration at the two esteemed creators embracing AI.

“Heartbreaking to see such great artists resort to generative AI clutter,” one user lamented.

“Hey @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN I’m a huge fan, love everything you’ve ever done, except for this. Please never involve yourself with AI clutter ever again. You’re better than this,” another added.

There were plenty of sharp remarks, but my personal favorite was: “Oh buddy this is ass. This is diarrhea from a butt.”

Kojima hasn’t extensively discussed the role of AI in creative fields, though he hasn’t dismissed the idea of incorporating it into his work. “Rather than having AI create visuals or anything like that, I’m more interested in using AI in the control systems,” Kojima mentioned in a past interview. “By using AI, enemy behavior could change based on the player’s experience, actions, and patterns. That kind of dynamic response would make much deeper gameplay possible.”