Hideo Kojima has shared its current take on the use of AI in video games, and while it may not be entirely in line with the general consensus, it's definitely on brand for the developer. known as the creator of metal gear Founder of the series and Kojima Productions, the author has become known for challenging conventions and pushing interactive storytelling into uncharted territory during his decades-long career. So, as AI becomes a recurring presence in the video game space, his opinion on the matter may push others' viewpoints.
Kojima's influence has grown with his releases in recent years Death Stranding In 2019 and its next sequel. The first game began as a divisive but ambitious experiment that combined a walking simulator with asynchronous multiplayer elements that many emphasized connectivity over competition. Few would have thought that a game that was essentially about a delivery man, however, could garner a lot of interest Death Stranding received mainly positive reviews, won several awards, and spawned Death Stranding 2: On the Beach In 2025. This served as further proof that even “weird” and nonconforming ideas can be viable and influential.
“I probably wouldn't be in this industry” – Hideo Kojima suggests that no Mario means Metal Gear or Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima shares the deep-rooted influence of Super Mario Bros. on the creator, suggesting he may not have gone into the games industry.
Hideo Kojima wants to train AI
In a recent interview with Japanese website Nikkei Xtrend (via Notebook Check ), Kojima revealed that his take on AI is also unconventional. “It might be out there, but I think I want to make a game that's played in weightlessness and make the AI happy,” the developer said. He explained that, currently, the AI is not very knowledgeable and needs to learn more, so he wants to create a game that can train it. Then, in 5 or 10 years, AI will likely be ready to “break into many different worlds.”
Although he didn't expand on the concept of “games played in weightlessness”, Kojima has previously stated that he was unimpressed by the litany of same-ol' games currently being produced by the industry. “The view and the systems are very similar,” he said, concluding with the comment, “It's important for the industry to put something really new out there.” A video game that trains AI, a technology generally viewed negatively by game consumers, would certainly fit the mold of “something new.”
Basically, a game that can train an AI. At this time, AI doesn't know much, and I think it should be studied more.
While many people seem against the use of generative AI to create video games, Kojima seems to be going in the opposite direction. He said that he was not against the use of technology to create art, but rather to build a dynamic system, which is a concern of many. AI can add depth to gameplay, for example, by making computer-controlled enemies behave more realistically and adapt to the player's actions.
It's also a somewhat risky stance to take, as AI usage has become one of the most controversial topics in the video game industry at the moment. Developers and players have expressed concerns about how AI-generated content could affect labor, originality and job security. Recently, two beloved studios, Larian and Sandfall Interactive, both came under fire after it was revealed that they used AI in the development process of their highly successful games. In 2023 and 2025, respectively, their two titles swept the Game Awards and took home many accolades.
For its part, of Sandfall Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Disqualified from Indie Game Awards for using generative AI art. The role-playing game was nominated for both the Debut Game and Game of the Year awards. Clair Obscur The generative AI introduced with the art asset is still in the game, and although they were later patched out, many people feel that they should not have been used in the first place. But this trend is becoming common day by day Jurassic World Evolution 3, Kaiserpunkand AltersAccepting it, to name a few. So maybe Death Stranding Dev's stance — selectively using AI and, in particular, training it to perform better rather than creating art with it — would be another example of Kojima predicting the future.
