Kojima Productions, the studio behind games such as Death Stranding and the Metal Gear Solid series, is launching a new division focused on film, TV and music.
As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, the new sector of Kojima Productions will be based in Los Angeles, California. Kojima Productions has hired PlayStation veteran Riley Russell to head the endeavor, after a 28-year long career at the console giant. A rare expansion for a gaming development company, Russell stated that the division's goal is to take existing Kojima properties and to work "...with creative and talented professionals in television, music and film, as well as the more familiar games industry." Based on Russell's statement, it's possible that the critically acclaimed video game Death Stranding will be receiving an in-house film or television adaptation.
Not only is Kojima Productions expanding as a company, but it is also looking to grow its potential audience with this new division. Russell went on to say, "The team has as its charter, the goal of expanding the reach and awareness of the properties now under development at Kojima Productions, and to make them even more a part of our popular culture." Russell also highlighted the team's enthusiasm saying, "We are truly excited and looking forward to working with the very best entertainment talent we can, across all of the entertainment industries."
Yoshiko Fukada, business development manager at Kojima Productions, echoed Russell's sentiments, saying that it is important that the company find "...new ways to entertain, engage and offer value to our fans." Fukada continues, "Our new division will take the studio into even more areas that present our creative narratives beyond videogames and open up ways for our fans to communicate and immerse themselves in these spaces."
Kojima Productions is a Japanese video game development studio founded in 2005 by Hideo Kojima. The company was initially part of publisher Konami, during which it created several entries in the beloved Metal Gear Solid franchise. In 2015, with growing conflicts between Hideo Kojima and Konami, the production company was closed after development restructuring just prior to the release of Metal Gear V: The Phantom Pain.
Despite the setback, Kojima Productions was re-established as an independent company that same year. The studio began work on the PlayStation 4 version of Death Stranding, which was released in 2019. The game was later ported PC in 2020 while an expanded version, titled Death Stranding: Director's Cut, launched for PlayStation 5 on Sept. 5.
Source: GameIndustry.biz