Troy Baker Says Hideo Kojima Still Makes Games the Metal Gear Way, Putting Lasting Impact Ahead of Simple Entertainment
Troy Baker believes one of the defining reasons Hideo Kojima’s work continues to stand apart is that it is not built around chasing constant player gratification. In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, the actor behind Higgs in the Death Stranding series said Kojima would rather players leave a game feeling affected than simply entertained, describing that creative philosophy as the reason his projects can still feel so bold and unusual in the modern market.
Baker framed that approach as unusual in an industry where many developers understandably focus on making sure players are having fun at every step. His view is that Kojima is aiming at something different, something more lasting and more emotionally or intellectually disruptive. That kind of design philosophy is inherently risky, especially when attached to large scale productions, but Baker argues that it is exactly what allows Kojima to keep making games that feel distinct instead of merely market tested.
What makes Baker’s comments especially interesting is the way he connects Kojima’s current work back to the Metal Gear era. He says Kojima is still making games in much the same way, with concepts that are huge, heavily thought through, and willing to swing far beyond safer blockbuster expectations. Baker describes the process of pulling that off as almost miraculous, because it depends not only on ambition, but also on trust and on being surrounded by talented people who can actually execute that scale of vision.
That perspective fits the wider conversation around Death Stranding as a franchise. While Metal Gear Solid managed to maintain strong mainstream appeal, Death Stranding has always felt more polarizing by design. Its pacing, structure, and tone were never built to please everyone in the same way a conventional action game might. Baker’s comments suggest that this was never an accident. From his point of view, Kojima is not trying to smooth every edge off the experience. He is trying to create something memorable enough that players carry it with them after they stop playing.
That also helps explain why Kojima remains such a singular figure in game development. In an industry increasingly shaped by retention design, safe sequel logic, and live service pressure, his projects still feel like they are being authored from a more personal creative center. Whether players love or reject them, they are usually reacting to something that has a clear point of view. Baker’s praise, in that sense, is not just about admiration for Kojima as a director. It is also an endorsement of a development philosophy that still values risk, authorship, and thematic weight at blockbuster scale.
Looking ahead, that impact first philosophy appears set to continue. Kojima Productions has already announced its horror project OD, while the studio also confirmed PHYSINT, a new action espionage title that marks Kojima’s return to the stealth space. PHYSINT received another public update during Kojima Productions’ 10th anniversary event recap, showing that it remains an active part of the studio’s long term slate.
If Baker is right, then Kojima’s future projects are unlikely to play it safe either. That may continue to divide audiences, but it is also exactly why his games still command so much attention. In a market full of titles designed to be instantly accessible, Kojima still seems more interested in making something that leaves a mark.
Do you prefer games that focus on immediate fun, or do you still want more creators willing to make strange, risky experiences that aim to leave a deeper impact?
