Kojima Productions hires MGS devs, researching game engines

More information has emerged on the reincarnation of Kojima Productions, with veteran developer Hideo Kojima revealing he may be working on more than just video games.

In an interview with IGN, the Metal Gear creator confirmed that former MGS artist Yoji Shinkawa and producer Kenichiro Imaizumi would be joining his new studio now that he was free from his contract with Konami.

Shinkawa will take on a senior role overlooking art design at Kojima Productions, with Imaizumi appointed to a similar position for production.

Kojima also said he is still looking into which game engine he will use for his first independent title. Previously, he and his team spent years working on the Fox Engine that powers Metal Gear Solid V, but now the long-running dev is considering an established framework such as Unreal or Unity.

“We could go either way, whether it’s using and existing engine or making another one,” he told IGN. “We’ll have to do some research before making a decision on that one.”

While it has already been confirmed that Kojima’s first project will be an exclusive title for PlayStation – albeit one that may come to PC later – the long term plans for the new studio may have a much broader remit.

“The focus is on digital content,” said Kojima, “so we could consider movies, animations, anything. But first I think people expect games from me. That’s where I want to put my focus.

“Once we have an established IP in games, something solid that satisfies people, then we can consider movies and videos.”

Finally, Kojima reiterated that he would still want to work with director Guillermo del Toro, with whom he had been working on the cancelled Silent Hills.