Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima has never shied away from bold creative risks, and his upcoming Xbox-published project OD might just be his most divisive yet. In a recent interview with SSENSE, Kojima opened up briefly about the mysterious game, suggesting players should brace for something completely unconventional.
“People will love it or hate It”
Kojima described OD as “something totally different”, admitting that the game is designed to provoke strong reactions. According to the Death Stranding creator, the project’s true impact may not be fully understood until long after its release.
“Something totally different… people will love it or hate it,” Kojima told SSENSE. “The real evaluations come after … 10 or 20 years from now.”
While that might sound cryptic (and very Kojima), it reinforces everything we’ve heard about OD so far — that it’s an ambitious, genre-defying experience straddling the line between game and film, with horror elements at its core.
What is OD, exactly?
That’s the million-dollar question. First announced during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2022, OD is being developed in partnership with Xbox Game Studios and features input from Jordan Peele, the Oscar-winning director of Get Out, alongside a group of unnamed “creative partners.”
While details are scarce, Kojima has previously said OD is “hard to explain” and represents a “risky new challenge” unlike anything he’s attempted before. Early descriptions have painted it as part horror experience, part interactive movie, and potentially a completely new type of media format.
Is OD still in development?
Yes, and that’s important. Despite widespread layoffs at Xbox earlier this year that led to several project cancellations, OD reportedly survived the internal cuts and remains in active development. That’s good news for fans eager to see more of Kojima’s latest experimental vision.
When will we see OD again?
Nothing has been confirmed, but there’s a strong possibility we’ll get another look at OD at The Game Awards in December, an event Kojima has historically used as a stage for major reveals. With buzz slowly building and the project still under wraps, a trailer or gameplay tease could finally pull back the curtain.
Kojima’s games have always challenged the norms of interactive storytelling, and OD seems to be no exception. Whether it lands as a genre-defining masterpiece or a misunderstood oddity, OD is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating titles on the horizon.
As Kojima himself puts it, the real verdict may not come until 10 or 20 years from now. Until then, all eyes remain on Xbox and Kojima Productions to show us what this next-gen horror experiment is really all about.