At Beyond The Strand, a special presentation celebrating Kojima Productions’ 10th anniversary, studio founder Hideo Kojima was joined by a surprise guest – John Hanke, CEO of Niantic Spatial. The pair announced a new technology partnership that aims to combine Niantic Spatial’s geospatial AI technology with Kojima’s iconic storytelling abilities.
For those not in the know, Niantic Spatial is the new technology-focused arm of Niantic, the developers of Pokemon Go and Monster Hunter Now. While no specific details were shared during the event, the collaboration seems like it will result in a Pokemon Go-style interactive game based on Death Stranding, or another Kojima Productions property.
Kojima shared during the event: “We’re always creating games in the screen, even on smartphones, and we want to liberate that. So in your normal, real life, if there’s art and entertainment in your everyday life, I thought that was brilliant, and I was always thinking about that. Looking at John’s technology, I thought this was possible. So we kind of teamed up here.”
“To give a wild example, it’s like (having) the real Death Stranding in the real world, and you could connect with people, or you could connect with the environment in your city. Previously it was virtual reality, but this time I’m thinking of connecting with the real environment.”
Hanke added: “I hope it creates an (environment) that brings people together to play. I think if there’s one we need to have in society right now, it’s something that unifies us and doesn’t pull us apart.”
“I think storytelling has always been humanity’s way of coming together, and I think technology can support that. It can divide it too, but I think, used correctly, and with an inspiring creator, it can be an important force for good in the world.”
