There’s no game developer more renowned than Hideo Kojima, except perhaps Shigeru Miyamoto, solely due to his historical significance. The only person who has managed to craft an aura of a creator comparable to figures in other fields has been Kojima. And it makes sense. He has made a conscious and continuous effort throughout his career to position himself as precisely that: an author. Someone whose significance to the medium is indisputable, and whose video games are understood by understanding the person behind them.
That’s why it’s big news that “Connecting Worlds,” the documentary about Hideo Kojima, who unveiled a new game at The Game Awards, will have a worldwide release next spring. While it would be ideal for it to hit theaters, it’ll be available for viewing on streaming platforms. Specifically, it’ll be on Disney+.
This documentary about the Japanese creative initially premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York last June. Directed by Glen Milner, known for his work on the making of Rogue One, the synopsis highlights that the documentary delves into Kojima’s ideas and creative process, featuring famous collaborators such as Norman Reedus, Guillermo del Toro, Nicholas Winding Refn, Grimes, George Miller, Woodkid, and Chvrches. It’s a testament to the Japanese author’s ability to surround himself with other great creators.
That doesn’t prevent the criticisms that the documentary has received from those who have been able to see it, which are, at best, rather lukewarm. Focusing especially on the development of his latest game so far, Death Stranding, and delving more into the person’s mythology than their creative processes or how they got to where they are, it’s more of a tribute to the person and their ability than any kind of in-depth investigation into who they are or how they became what they are.
In any case, we’ll have to judge for ourselves. And for that, we’ll have to wait until spring 2024, when we can watch it on Disney+.
