‘I Don’t Know if This Will Work Out’ Hideo Kojima Reflects on the Unprecedented Challenges Behind OD

Hideo Kojima is no stranger to redefining genres. From pioneering stealth gameplay with Metal Gear Solid to reshaping open world narrative design with the Death Stranding series, he has repeatedly delivered experiences that challenge industry expectations. Yet in a recent interview, Kojima suggests that his upcoming horror project OD may be his boldest creative leap yet one so ambitious that even he is unsure whether the final experience will succeed.

In comments translated by Automaton from a new interview with ananweb, Kojima discussed OD’s unconventional direction and the fundamental risks behind its development. “I can’t say exactly what it is yet, nor do I know if it will work out,” he said. “We’ve created stealth games and delivery games which were unlike anything before, but system wise, they were similar to other games. This time, we’re trying to change the service model from the ground up, so it should be quite challenging.”

This statement highlights a significant departure from traditional game design. While Death Stranding presented a fresh mechanical loop, it still leaned on recognizable frameworks. OD, however, appears to be rebuilding the fundamentals entirely redefining not just gameplay systems but how the experience is delivered to players.

Kojima also hinted that the OD reveal trailer contains embedded clues about the game’s structure. “We’ve packed the trailer full of hints, so if you keep thinking about it, you might figure it out,” he noted. Despite these hints, fans remain largely puzzled, a testament to how far OD may deviate from classic horror conventions.

For many, this ambiguity is exciting. The horror genre has struggled to evolve meaningfully beyond the template set decades ago by Resident Evil and other foundational titles. Kojima's willingness to experiment could deliver the genre revitalization long time fans have been waiting for.

That said, concrete details remain scarce. With Death Stranding 2 On the Beach launching earlier this year and a PC version likely to be announced at The Game Awards, Kojima Productions may not unveil OD’s full design for some time. Still, each new interview paints a picture of a project that is unconventional, challenging, and potentially transformative.

Do you think Kojima can reinvent horror the way he reinvented stealth and narrative design? What do you think OD’s mysterious “service model” could mean? Share your theories.