These People Are Designing Video Games.

In an interview with Japanese website 4Gamer (picked up and kindly translated by AndriaSang), the CEO of publisher 5pb, Chiyomaru Shikura, revealed that his upcoming collaboration with Hideo Kojima could well be an adventure game.

“Kojima said that he wanted to make an adventure game,” Shikura explained, adding, “we’re still at the level of ‘let’s lock ourselves away in the mountains somewhere and work on the plot,’ so the specifics haven’t been finalized.”

Pressed on other matters, Shikura went tellingly silent, but this is not the first time the Metal Gear man has been linked to 5pb. Earlier in the year, Shikura Tweeted that he had met with Grasshopper’s Suda51 and the Konami legend — including the very picture embedded above as proof of the liaison.

What could they be up to?

So Kojima's Presumably Not Too Upbeat About Japanese Game Development.

Hideo Kojima has revealed that he believes Japan are in a “losing” battle due to the recent boom of Western games development.

The Metal Gear man said that he feels the younger generation of Japanese game developers have lost their motivation. He came to conclusion after watching a TV documentary about foreign exchange students who were passionate about the manga industry.

“The game industry is very similar,” he said. “The West is very motivated. The younger generation of Japan is losing.

“The designers and to-be-designers in the West have the focus, ambition, and ability to make their dream become true. So it is not the Japanese technology or culture that is losing, we are lacking the motivation.

“Lately I have come to conclusion that, with highly motivated foreigners… it doesn’t matter where they are from, working with highly motivated individuals is the only way to move forward. I am tired of taking care of people who do not have the passion.”

Strong words. Strong words indeed.

[Thanks Eurogamer]

Zone Of The Enders 3 PS3 Exclusive Rumours Can Settle Down For Now.

Either Kojima’s trying to pull a David Jaffe, or there really is no “face melting” PlayStation 3 in the works. We’re hoping for the former, but we’re not holding our breath. According to the productions boss on the Metal Gear franchise, Kenichiro Imaizumi, suggestions of a big PlayStation 3 reveal from Kojima are purely rumour and speculation.

The man wrote on Twitter: “‘I say it is just a rumour. I have no idea who made it up such a story.”

It’s not an outright denial, but you’d have to really read between the lines to irk out any suggestion of confirmation. With E3 now over, we reckon it’s time to give up on the rumours. Let’s focus on what we’ve got to look forward to. At least for now, yeah?

Sorry, This Is Totally On Hold. For Now, At Least.

Deep down we were expecting some kind of Zone Of The Enders announcement at E3. Kojima had been talking about the franchise for a while, and it just felt like the right time to announce it. Sadly, in the absence of an announcement, it sounds like the game’s been pushed back.

“Regarding ZOE3, there’s been various things, so it’s been sort of pushed to the back,” he said in a UStream video during his tour of Europe.

You can watch the video over at Andriasang.com. It might make you cry bitter tears of disappointment though. We know how much you wanted Zone Of The Enders 3, but it ain’t coming, like. Sorry.

Whatever Hideo Kojima's Teasing, It's Probably Happening At Sony's Conference.

You’ve already seen dozens and dozens of moving images with people cutting things. Hideo Kojima’s countdown website has updated however, this time with kanji symbols in the background. What could it mean? We’ve not the foggiest. The countdown points to Sony’s E3 press conference though. Just sayin’.

The Five Most Frequently Rumoured E3 Announcements That Probably Won't Happen.

With E3 speculation reaching an all-time high (we’re finding it hard to keep our excitement for both E3 and the World Cup in check), the blogosphere’s literally bulging with rumours of megaton-esque announcements from every corner of the industry. We’ve put together a list of some of the most frequent rumours, and why they’re unlikely to come true.

Click here to continue reading and tell us what you think

Yes, Chopping. Metaphors Kojima, Indeed.

Not one to break tradition, Hideo Kojima’s launched a teaser site involving people – erm – chopping things. What could it mean? Are Kojima Productions about to announce a cooking game? Or, more likely, is this a teaser for all the hacking and slashing that’s due to take place in Metal Gear Solid: Rising?

Who knows? It’s Kojima. And to be honest, we’re getting bored of these countdown websites. If you must see the site in all its animated glory, click here.

We’re just going to go on record and say that if these Metal Gear Solid: Rising 360 timed exclusive rumours turn out to be true, Kojima’s dead to us. What a treacherous move that would be, indeed.

Kojima Don't Need No Suit To Do Business.

Looks like Square Enix and Hideo Kojima are set to colloborate once again, with the details still under-wraps for now.

The tease comes from Square Enix’s Shinji Hashimoto, who Tweeted: “A new promotion with Hideo Kojima is set. Details will be shared at a later date.” He also attached the above photo of himself, Hideo Kojima and Metal Gear’s art director Yoji Shinkawa.

No idea what the title is yet, but we may (or may not) find out next week at E3.

Hideo Kojima Has Warned He'll "Leave The Industry" If He Messes Up Next "Taboo" Project.

We love Kojima, but sometimes he’s a bit melodramatic. Then we suppose the man that dreamt up the Metal Gear Solid franchise would need to be a little big melodramatic, wouldn’t they? Yeah, ok then. It makes sense.

Still, with Kojima’s attentions seemingly already turned to his next project, the legendary developer has Tweeted about the consequences of messing it up: “The next project will challenge a certain type of taboo. If I mess up, I’ll probably have to leave the industry.

“However, I don’t want to pass by avoiding that. I turn 47 this year. It’s been 24 years since I started making games. Today, I got an ally who would happily support me in that risk. Although it’s just one person. For a start, it’s good.”

Many are already speculating that Kojima’s next game will be Zone Of The Enders 3. Kojima-philes will literally explode with excitement if that’s the case.

Zone Of The Enders 3 Would Practically Send Kojima Fans Into A Frenzy.

With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker wrapped up and out of the way (sort of ), video games mastermind Hideo Kojima appears to have turned his attention to a new project. One featuring mechs.

“I’m thinking about the casting for my next title,” Kojima Tweeted, as translated by Andriasang. “The project plan still hasn’t reached a detailed level, but everything is advancing simultaneously in my head.

“Title, game design, story, characters, setting research, the mecha that appear, casting, graphic direction, sound, beginning and ending, the major story sequences. It comes together naturally in my head.”

Sure, plenty of Kojima titles feature mechs, but people are going crazy for the use of the pluralised term “mecha”. Plus, Kojima has long promised a Zone Of The Enders sequel. It’s straw clutching for sure, but ZoE fans will appreciate the gift of hope.