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Change was a keyword in 2008. It looks like change may also be a hot issue in 2009. That’s because Hideo Kojima and his legendary studio, Kojima Productions, are looking to make sweeping changes companywide in order to remain competitive globally. According to a Famitsu article picked up by Develop, Kojima sees Western developers as winning the hearts and minds of gamers everywhere. In light of these assertions, some have speculated that Kojima and company are going to turn to the proverbial ‘Dark Side.’ That’s right; Microsoft is the alleged new home for a revamped Kojima Productions. What do you think? Below you’ll find Kojima’s exact comments as reported by Develop:
“We’re currently reviewing everything – from the team structure to tools and our staff – in order to make Kojima Productions a team that can challenge foreign creators and software houses,” he told Famitsu as part of their 2009 preview. “So, because of that, 2009 is going to be a very important year for us. “I’ve come to understand that the way we’ve made games up until now won’t translate globally, and I’ve come to think that I need to make Kojima Productions a team that can compete alongside the rest of the world,” he said. “I’ve thought a lot about how Western games have been winning, looking it from a global perspective, and there are things that I’ve noticed. So 2009 will be a year of change, a year where we start from zero again.” Likening games developed in the West to Hollywood’s output in terms of worldwide appeal, he said: “With games, you’ve got to use cutting-edge techniques, and doing so costs money – so I don’t think you can make games that just appeal to the Japanese market. So, 2009 will see us continuing to think how to create a team that can take on the world.” |
