Kojima: "I'm not a genius"

  • Posted May 30th, 2008 at 15:58 EDT by
  • 4,677 views
  • 39 Comments

Many may label Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, a perfectionist, but how many would consider him a genius? He certainly doesn't. Kojima recently sat down with Reuters to discuss his long running franchise as well as his role within the development of the series. One of his more unique comments from that interview was clearly his comparison of himself to George Lucas.

"I'm not a genius like George Lucas." Kojima states to Reuters. "I didn't have this story planned out. I always tried to finish the story in each game, but by some miracle in MGS4 I was able to resolve the mysteries left behind in past games and resolve the side stories from past games."

The humble approach that Kojima often takes can sometimes be misinterpreted by the people who report on it. This was very evident in his declaration that MGS4 wasn't up to snuff on what he had imagined it to be. With Solid Snake's last mission set to take place very soon, it'll be exciting to find out what Kojima has planned for the fans of his titles.

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  1. TobiUchiha | TobiUchiha

    • 4:02pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Kojima you're INCREDIBLY modest

  2. GunTeng

    • 4:03pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    lol. Well, even if he may not be a genius, he has the imagination and the ability to transfer that imagination into a game and see that it was very thoroughly done...to some that is genius enough.

    And it may come as no surprise, but Im sure there are millions of MGS fans that are glad he couldn't finish the story in one game...Im one of them.

  3. the_ghostmen | the_ghostmen

    • 4:04pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    kojima is the best

  4. TobiUchiha | TobiUchiha

    • 4:05pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    I've never played a MGS game before but from what I've heard they're incredible hoping to start with MGS4

  5. Neameto | Neameto

    • 4:17pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    He is not a genious!!!

     

    He is brilliant!!!

  6. hyperslug | hyperslug

    • 4:26pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    No he is not a genius but he is pretty ok :)

    And George Lucas is an idiot (no i don't want to argue, it's just my opinion)

  7. Carl | almighty-slayer

    • 4:28pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Yes you are. Don't lie.

  8. madiman | am1991

    • 4:29pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    He IS a genius. However, imagine how much better the games and storyline might have been if he did have them planned out from the start.

  9. Solrac | Solrac7688

    • 4:33pm BST - May 30th, 2008

     Kojima knows he's a genious , he's just being modest

  10. bnolan56 | snowy311

    • 4:38pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    He isn't a genious...he's a god.

  11. clemx2 | nuffin_long

    • 4:53pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    He is very modest.

  12. Killa_5150

    • 5:00pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Kojima is one brilliant game producer, am excited to see the "new Metal Gear" or "Metal Gear 5?". Cant wait!

  13. Limanima | Limanima

    • 5:01pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    I'm all hyped up. I wanna MGS4 fast!! Go go go Koji!!

  14. edward_moffet | edd

    • 5:07pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    wow that makes him even more of a genius if this stuff just came off of the top of his head thats even more amazing than if he had planned the whole saga out

  15. Odium_Generis_Humani

    • 5:08pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Please. The guy has an indredible vision, and UNLIKE George Lucas, he can make the chapters of his story actually seem like they were written together.

  16. Denali2 | NEJI64

    • 5:10pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    a genius no a great imagination and story teller yes i'm surprise sony havent made a movie deal with kojima. mgs would make a great summer blockbuster

  17. Falanx13 | Falanx13

    • 5:26pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Hideo is better than Lucas. Sure, Lucas did cool stuff like the first three Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, but have you seen his latest stuff? Pure crap. Atleast Hideo can carry his series past 3 iterations.

  18. tanner1 | OB1K

    • 5:44pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Kojima & the ps3 r made 4 each other & im so glad 2 b a part of th@

  19. SolsticeZero | SolsticeZero

    • 6:33pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Kojima is definitely a genius when compared to Lucas. However, my left sock is also a genius when compared to Lucas....

  20. zombieking36

    • 6:41pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    Ya know I understand he is modest and all, but weither he likes it or not he IS a genious in all ways!

  21. zbamf

    • 7:51pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    We don't call you Grand Master Kojima for nothing.

  22. Alpha2

    • 8:45pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    This is the Modesty that most Japanese Developers strive to attain. They dont want to be over hyped they want recognition for trying their best when they do it but will never ask for it. A stark constrast to that bragadocious idiot Itegaki who think's his stupid boob bouncing DOA and near impossible Ninja Gaiden "games" are god's gift to gaming... he|| he probably thinks he IS god, that's why he and M$ belong together.

     

    Kojima would never say that the greatest work his team has ever done in porting a title to another platform form scratch was "no good". He's got more class than that.

  23. MMDs | MMDs

    • 9:28pm BST - May 30th, 2008

     @ Alpha

    Amen to that 

  24. kudoshinchi | kudoshinchi

    • 9:43pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    maybe he is not like George Lucas but he is himself, one of the gretest story telling developer ever in history

  25. gingo | gingo

    • 10:33pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    psn id: gingo..... kojima is a genius at implementing storytelling and gameplay together but the guy is just being modest as he said japanese developers like to be like he said before

  26. hush404 | hush404

    • 10:43pm BST - May 30th, 2008

    You know, Geniuses don't know that they are :D

  27. DINAMO788 | DINAMO788

    • 2:14am BST - May 31st, 2008

    "I'm not a genius, i'm just an old designer hired to do some wet work."

  28. lurkingshadow89 | DEATH555666

    • 3:08am BST - May 31st, 2008

    IF your not a genius im a retard. which is probally true either way................... ..  .. .. .. . . I LIKE ICE CREAM

  29. solid79 | solid79

    • 4:46am BST - May 31st, 2008

    The meek shall inherit the Earth.  Kojima is the man. 

  30. Dambber

    • 6:22am BST - May 31st, 2008

    "I'm no genious.. never was.. never will be."

  31. psycho_mantis | makaveli_71

    • 10:31am BST - May 31st, 2008

    kojima is a legend!

  32. Pablo0620 | Pablo0620

    • 11:03am BST - May 31st, 2008

    "I always tried to finish the story in each game, but by some miracle in MGS4 I was able to resolve the mysteries left behind in past games and resolve the side stories from past games."

    If thats not genius then I dont know what is. And people please. Its Hideo Kojima-san to you

  33. magnawiz | magnawiz

    • 3:22pm BST - May 31st, 2008

    "I'm no hero..."

  34. outwar6010 | outwar6010

    • 9:18pm BST - May 31st, 2008

    he's as intelligent as he modest

  35. Uncool | Admodistrator

    • 10:46pm BST - May 31st, 2008

    To his millions of fans and the gaming industry, he is without a doubt a visionary if not a genius.

  36. InfernoReaper | GrimDarkling

    • 2:09am BST - June 1st, 2008

    I haven't played a minute of any MGS but I can tell he is a genius.

  37. Untildeath89 | willmakenewonesoon

    • 2:54am BST - June 1st, 2008

    Having plot and twists that you didn't plan 20 years ago must exceed that which was planned 20 years ago. Either way he has had amazing story that unfolded right and is complete and its been under development for 20 years so that should be more then enough credit for his brilliance.

  38. tillz | tillz

    • 5:42pm BST - June 1st, 2008

    his attitude and way of working all point towards genius. pure brilliance

  39. chubacca

    • 6:59am BST - June 2nd, 2008

    Oh come on everyone.... I dont care what you all say -  I tell you I'm not the best looking guy in the world!

     

    I dont think Im as good looking like George Clooney. I dont try to dress all that swank, its just that by some miracle I threw together some clothes and yes I may have started a new fashion trend - but its all by accident really. Im just not as terrific as the whole world thinks.

     

    Im very humble. LOL

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