HIDEO KOJIMA CRITICIZES MODERN GAMES FOR LACKING ORIGINALITY: “EVEN THE VISUALS AND SYSTEMS ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME”

Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima is calling out the gaming industry's growing reliance on repetitive formulas, cautioning that too many modern titles look and feel the same. In a recent interview shared via Kojima Productions' social media and translated by fans across Japanese gaming forums, Kojima expressed concern over what he sees as a creativity plateau in mainstream development.

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“Even the visuals and systems are pretty much the same,” he said, referring to the current wave of big-budget releases. Kojima noted that many studios are increasingly opting for safe, derivative designs instead of taking creative risks that challenge player expectations or push the medium forward.

Kojima, best known for pioneering the stealth-action genre with Metal Gear Solid and later creating the genre-defying Death Stranding, has long been regarded as one of gaming's most innovative voices. His critique carries weight in an industry where publishers often prioritize financial predictability over artistic experimentation.

INDUSTRY PRESSURE DRIVING REPETITION

According to Kojima, one key reason for the lack of originality is the high cost of game development, particularly in AAA gaming. With production budgets now frequently exceeding $100 million, publishers are less inclined to greenlight bold or unconventional ideas. Instead, many studios turn to familiar formulas—third-person open-world design, mission-based progression, and photorealistic graphics—to mitigate risk and meet shareholder expectations.