Kojima Talks New PS4 Game and Why He Aligned With Sony

Following the announcement today of Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima's new studio and a partnership with Sony, the veteran game designer has now shared more details.

In an interview with IGN, Kojima spoke broadly about his goals for the game--which will debut first on PlayStation 4 before coming later to PC--as well as the new studio and its ambitions.

"I want to create something that's what people expect, but at the same time will have something new that people haven't seen before," he explained, adding that "it will be a complete game."

Joining Kojima at the new iteration of Kojima Productions is art director Yoji Shinkawa, who worked alongside Kojima at Konami on the Metal Gear Solid series. He said he's hopeful that, in terms of visuals, the characters in the company's new game can "go beyond" those seen in the Metal Gear Solid series.

"We've been working on a franchise that is beloved and has recognizable characters," he said. "One of my big goals is, visually, with whatever characters we create, to go beyond that, to be more recognizable, more beloved. That's definitely one of the goals I have when it comes to the art side."

"We'll be able to do things that are more edgy, preserving the quality we've had so far, while at the same time finding new challenges and exploring new areas" -- Kojima

It's still early days for Kojima's first game--and it may not be a big-budget blockbuster like Metal Gear Solid.

"I'm thinking smaller-scale, not too many people, and focusing on game creation at first," Kojima said.

Also in the interview, Kojima teased that, in addition to games, Kojima Productions might consider working on movies (if you follow him on Twitter you know he loves movies), animation, and "anything" else. But games are his immediate focus-- and if their game is a hit, it could spawn a transmedia effort.

"The focus is on digital content," he said. "Once we have an established IP in games, something solid that satisfies people, then we can consider movies and videos."

Kojima Productions is an independent studio that's working on a smaller scale than in the past with Metal Gear Solid, for now at least. This may provide some benefits in terms of what the team can pursue.

"We'll have more agility," Kojima said. "We'll be able to do things that are more edgy, preserving the quality we've had so far, while at the same time finding new challenges and exploring new areas."

Below are some other highlights from IGN's interview with Kojima. Be sure to read the full story for more.

• They haven't decided what engine the game will use. The Fox Engine belongs to Konami.
• The new Kojima Productions logo is summed up thusly by Kojima: "As for the skeleton, we're homo sapiens--people of wisdom--but we’re also homo ludens--people who play--and the concept behind this logo is that: With new technology and a pioneer spirit, we'll deliver play to a new world."
• Kojima didn't talk about his former employer, Konami, but described why Sony was the right partner for his next game. "I feel like this is an environment where I will be able to make something and feel comfortable," Kojima said. "And I believe that's the environment I need right now."
• Kojima is "definitely interested" in making a game for VR, but nothing has been decided yet.

What do you make of what we know about Kojima's next game and studio so far? Let us know in the comments below!