Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima rarely hides his influences: his games are filled with references and nods to the pieces of media that inspire him. If you’d like to know more about the inspiration behind some of the industry’s most iconic games, though, you may be interested in the ex-Konami man’s novel, which is getting an English translation this year.
Originally published in Japan in 2019, The Creative Gene includes musings from Kojima on some of his favourite pieces of media. There’s also an interview with singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino, who contributed some of the music to Death Stranding. Here’s the official blurb, as shared by publisher Viz with Polygon:
Ever since he was a child, Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima was a voracious consumer of movies, music, and books. They ignited his passion for stories and storytelling, and the results can be seen in his ground-breaking, iconic video games. Now the head of independent studio Kojima Productions, Kojima’s enthusiasm for entertainment media has never waned. This collection of essays explores some of the inspirations behind one of the titans of the video game industry, and offers an exclusive insight into one of the brightest minds in pop culture.
The book’s currently slated to release on 12th October. Is this something you’d be interested in reading? Give it a like in the comments section below.
