In Episode 36 of “Koji 10: Hideo Kojima’s ‘Let’s Make It the Best 10:00,’” which was released on October 5, Director Hideo Kojima, CEO of Kojima Productions, revealed some of the content featured in the major exhibition “BEYOND THE STRAND: A Journey of Creation and Challenge.”
An Exhibition Symbolizing KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS’ 10-Year Journey
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the “KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS 10th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION BEYOND THE STRAND: A Journey of Creation and Challenge” is scheduled to be held at the Azabudai Hills Gallery from Saturday, October 31, to Sunday, December 20.The event was announced as an exhibition that would trace the 10-year journey of creativity and challenge undertaken by KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS through a variety of content, including production materials being unveiled for the first time, interactive exhibits, and a 360° video installation exclusive to this exhibition.
According to the director’s comments at “Koji 10,” the exhibition will feature numerous rare exhibits that fans will find irresistible, such as the very earliest prototypes of *DEATH STRANDING* and an essay the director wrote in his second year of high school about Kobo Abe’s novel *The Rope*.The exhibition is structured around the three phases of Kojipro’s journey—*DS*, *DS2*, and future projects—to showcase the company’s approach to game development.
Director Kojima on the Quality of the ‘Death Stranding’ Prototype: “That was rough…”
Regarding the *DS* prototype in particular, he explained that it was created by a team of five or six people at a time when they didn’t even have a production engine yet, and the result was so rough that Director Kojima reportedly thought, “This is rough…” at the time. While the staff unanimously admitted they were “horrified” by it, they joked, “Seeing that, anyone would think they could go independent.”
In addition, while acknowledging that “we don’t know if it will work,” the organizers revealed that they’ve prepared features that will make visitors want to come back again and again, as well as a variety of new merchandise.
The “KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS 10th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION BEYOND THE STRAND:A Voyage of Creation and Challenge,” which will feature even “things we’d rather not show,” is scheduled to run from Saturday, October 31, to Sunday, December 20, at the Azabudai Hills Gallery. Ticket prices are 2,600 yen in advance and 2,800 yen at the door.
