Games industry creative Hideo Kojima is pairing up with former Pokémon Go parent company Niantic Spatial for a new augmented reality (AR) project. During KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS’ 10th anniversary Beyond the Strand livestream event, Niantic Spatial CEO John Hanke joined host Kojima on stage to announce their new collaboration. According to the pair’s presentation, the project will incorporate Niantic Spatial’s AI technology to adapt Kojima’s cerebral stories for new audiences.
The KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS press release says the endeavor paves the way for a “bold expansion into new forms of media beyond traditional gaming. For Niantic Spatial, it underlines the potential of geospatial AI technology to transform how people and machines understand and interact with the physical world.”
“At Niantic Spatial, we’re building a living model of the world that people and machines can talk to, creating a new canvas for real-world storytelling and interaction,” said John Hanke, CEO of Niantic Spatial. “We are delighted to be working with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS to explore what our combined creativity and innovation can accomplish for new and existing fans.”
In a post on X shared just before 2:30 a.m. EST, KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS’ official account shared promotional images as well as a link to the announcement. Fans took to the replies to share their excitement. “we stranding in real life [sic],” one reaction reads.
‘Beyond the Strand’ Livestream
KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS’ Beyond The Strand stream, held overnight on September 23, celebrated the company’s 10th birthday. The Metal Gear Solid creator hosted the program himself, throughout which he teased future projects, welcomed a number of special guests, and looked into the independent studio’s future. Among the company’s new endeavors, a partnership with sake brewery Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten. The sake brand is offering two Kojima-inspired editions of its LUDENS ZAKU sake, each one bearing the studio’s symbol. The Junmai Ginjo will retail for ¥4,440 (around $30), while the Kojima Signature Junmai Daiginjo will sell for ¥22,000, or about $150.
The livestream also included the first trailer for the all-new Xbox Game Studios title, OD. The horror game, directed by Get Out creator Jordan Peele, will star Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier. The game was first revealed at The Game Awards in 2023, and last night’s presentation included fans’ first look. A post-reveal press release from December 2023 says OD “explores the concept of testing your fear threshold, and what it means to OD on fear – while blurring the boundaries of gaming and film.”
A film adaptation of DEATH STRANDING is also in the works from independent entertainment company A24, as well as a new action-espionage IP, PHYSINT.
Naturally, time zones complicate stateside viewing for Japan-based livestreams, but it’s not too late to tune in. Check out the full stream in English here.
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