Hideo Kojima, the creative force behind Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid, believes that a little discomfort in games keeps players engaged, stating, “too much comfort won’t resonate.”

Hideo Kojima shares his vision for creating games that evoke discomfort, aiming to leave a lasting impact on players.

While his titles often embrace a quirky and exaggerated style, Kojima isn’t afraid to tackle sensitive subjects that are frequently explored in film and television. For instance, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes addresses themes related to detention camps like Guantanamo Bay, showcasing some of the most graphic depictions of torture in gaming. Its follow-up, The Phantom Pain, delves into the harrowing realities of child soldiers during the Angolan Civil War. Even in his latest project, the first chapter of Death Stranding 2 concludes with some dark imagery, which, although somewhat softened by the game’s narrative, remains unsettling.

In a recent conversation, Kojima responded to inquiries about his decision to alter parts of Death Stranding 2’s script after playtesters found it too enjoyable. He clarified that the reports were “half correct,” stating, “The things you don’t forget, even after 10 or 20 years, are the things that leave a bit of discomfort or friction.”

He elaborated, “Experiences that are overly comfortable won’t linger with players. They won’t embed themselves in their memory.” To counter this, Kojima “deliberately crafted elements that require deeper contemplation to fully grasp.”

This approach is evident throughout Kojima’s body of work, long before Death Stranding 2. Metal Gear Solid 2, for example, was highly anticipated yet defied expectations as a sequel. It emerged as one of the most thought-provoking pieces of art in gaming, remaining relevant and discussed even 24 years later. One can only wonder if it would have achieved such status had it simply followed a formulaic plot of ‘Solid Snake infiltrates another base, and everyone goes home happy.’

Despite the acclaim surrounding Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, Kojima admits, “Sometimes I envision a life where I create the best-selling product,” but he finds that prospect dull: “I’d be at home with nothing to do.”