The Hideo Kojima Xbox rumors came as a big surprise to PlayStation fans (Image: GETTY • XBOX)
Ever since I first saw Tekken 1 played on a PS1, shortly after Sony’s game-changing console first launched, I’ve been addicted to PlayStation games. Some of my fondest gaming memories have forever been associated with Sony and PlayStation – from groundbreaking early 3D games like Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil and Final Fantasy 7 to more modern classics like Persona 5. Sony systems have defined my game for decades- experience.
And creators like Hideo Kojima have given me moments that will remain in my memory forever.
Kojima and Sony have had a long working relationship, since MGS1 debuted on PS1 and made the maker of Snatcher and Policenauts famous worldwide.
Since Solid Snake’s Shadow Moses mission was first released, MGS games and Sony PlayStation consoles have gone hand in hand.
Metal Gear Solid 2 was one of the PS2’s first killer apps, a blockbuster release like gaming had never seen before.
It arrived on Xbox a year later via MGS 2 Substance, but Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (considered by many to be Metal Gear’s finest hour) remained a PS2 exclusive until the next generation, with MGS3 included in the HD collection for PS3 and Xbox 360.
The close working relationship between Sony and Kojima continued with the exclusive PSP games Metal Gear and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the latter being a PS3 exclusive to this day.
And in the wake of the Kojima and Konami split in 2015, it was Sony’s PS4 platform on which the creator of MGS chose to release its next game – Death Stranding – exclusively.
So the news that emerged this week that Kojima’s next game might be heading to Xbox instead of PS5 as expected may leave PlayStation fans baffled, confused and disappointed.
But there’s one reason this deal makes sense and can lead to great things for everything Kojima has in store.
Kojima has long been a game director who is never willing to compromise in the pursuit of his job.
And with games getting more sophisticated since Kojima first hit the market, pursuing his vision has come at a cost.
Metal Gear Solid V reportedly had a budget of over $ 80 million, while Death Stranding reportedly had a budget of $ 100 million.
We’ve seen Microsoft’s unafraid of making money in their drive to make Game Pass an all-conquering service, as evidenced by Bethesda’s $ 7.5 billion acquisition.
Although it can also be seen in Halo Infinite’s budget, which is said to be $ 500 million.
Xbox has recently pulled out all the stops to win over gamers (Image: TWITTER)
Eventually, if Kojima starts working with Microsoft, he could have a partner who is willing to write him a blank check and give him a bigger budget than ever before to fulfill his vision for his next project.
And that can only be good news for the scope of what Kojima is planning next, and for his fans.
For Microsoft, securing the services of a gaming icon like Kojima – and giving him a free hand to do whatever he wants – will undoubtedly help on a number of fronts.
Whatever you think of Kojima, he’s one of – if not the – most famous game directors out there, and capable of taking on big names like Kiefer Sutherland, Norman Reedus, Lindsay Wagner, Lea Seydoux, Mads Mikkelsen and more. together to work with him. .
His projects are generating massive hype and if the next Kojima game goes to Game Pass it would likely generate a huge amount of buzz for both the Xbox Series X and S as well as XGP.
Death Stranding was Hideo Kojima’s last game and was released exclusively for PS4 (Image: SONY)
In the end, it could be the thing that, for many Sony fans, finally twist their arm to take the plunge and buy an Xbox too.
A Kojima deal could also help Microsoft finally crack the Japanese market, which the Xbox has consistently struggled with, as well as help the Xbox team move one step closer to a long-cherished goal.
A fascinating CNBC documentary Exploring why Xbox didn’t make a dent in Japan was an interview with Xbox creator Seamus Blackley.
Blackley explained the driving force behind the original Xbox and why Bill Gates wanted to get into console games at all.
Blackley said Gates’ motivation with the original Xbox was to “maintain Microsoft’s dominance and position in the software ecosystem.”
And with Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft is positioning itself in an extremely strong position in software.
Having new Bethesda games and titles from the ever-growing Xbox Game Studios portfolio launch on XGP on day one has put Xbox in arguably its strongest position since they first started console gaming in 2001.
And getting Kojima on board could become the big catalyst Microsoft needs to help win new fans, propelling Game Pass subscriptions even further to new heights.
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