Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed creator behind Death Stranding, is moving forward with his enigmatic horror title, OD, under the publishing umbrella of Xbox. The game, which Kojima describes as a unique fusion of gaming, film, and a new media form, faced significant rejection from other potential publishers who found its concept too unorthodox.
Kojima revealed that when he initially pitched OD, many companies labeled the idea as "crazy" and expressed an inability to grasp the concept, leading them to decline involvement. "I wanted to do something new. I wanted to do something different," Kojima stated in an interview. "I pitched to many people, to the big companies, and also to the up-and-coming companies. All of them said the same thing. They said that I'm crazy and that they really don't understand the concept - that they will not be able to do it."
It was ultimately Phil Spencer, the former head of Xbox, who embraced Kojima's vision for OD, securing Xbox as the publisher. The current leadership at Xbox, including Asha Sharma, also reportedly understands Kojima's ambitious plans for the project.
Described by Kojima as an attempt to push the boundaries of fear in gaming, OD is envisioned as a single-player experience designed to be as terrifying as possible. While the specifics of its gameplay mechanics remain undisclosed, Kojima has alluded to a system designed to help players persevere even when the game becomes overwhelmingly scary. "I can't say much more, because it'll give too much of a hint on the system," he commented.
OD's cast includes Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and the late Udo Kier. Director Jordan Peele, known for his work on films like Get Out and Nope, is also involved in the project. Kojima acknowledged that OD might be a polarizing experience, anticipating that many may dislike it initially, but he is prepared for that outcome.
In addition to OD, Kojima Productions is developing Physint, a PlayStation-published espionage game. That project features actors such as Don Lee, Charlee Fraser, and Minami Hamabe.