Japanese Figures in the Video Game Industry: Hideo Kojima (I)

This article examines the career and creative legacy of Hideo Kojima, one of the most influential figures in the history of video games. Through an analysis of key works such as Metal Gear, Snatcher, Policenauts, and Metal Gear Solid, the text explores Kojima’s contribution to the development of narrative-driven game design and the consolidation of the stealth genre. The study also highlights the strong cinematic influences present in Kojima’s work, as well as his innovative use of storytelling techniques, fourth-wall breaking, and complex thematic elements such as nuclear deterrence, genetic engineering, and the ethics of warfare. Particular attention is given to the emergence of a distinctive authorial style that blends interactive storytelling with audiovisual language traditionally associated with cinema. By situating Kojima’s productions within their technological and cultural context—from early titles developed for the MSX2 to the international success of Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation—the article argues that his work played a crucial role in legitimising video games as a medium capable of complex narrative expression.