Kojima: My games are delivered on time and on budget

Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has said the perception that he takes too long and spends too much money on development of his games is untrue.

The statement came in an interview with GameSpot that coincided with his receipt of an AIAS Hall of Fame award at last night’s DICE awards. The developer received a standing ovation, in part due to his awards snub in December at the hands of former employer Konami.

A lot of people say that I spent too much money or take too much time, but that’s a misconception,” he said. My last project was late about five or six months, but I’ve always kept my word on timelines and budget. For example, I do take three to four years to make games, but that’s the plan from the start.

I take a lot of time because I create my own teasers, posters, and I work on how to create the box for sales. Japanese creators are famous for being loose with schedules, and I think people put me in that category, but it’s not reality. In my case, I’m a director and a producer, so I have to stay aware of production and the budget.”

Although Kojima is constrained about what he can say regarding his former employer, he did admit that he considered taking a break for development altogether, and is feeling the pressure to deliver with his next project.

Originally, after working for 30 years in one company, I was thinking of taking a one-year hiatus. But if I don’t keep creating, I will definitely get rusty,” he added. However, after talking with several friends and fans, a lot of people told me, ‘Everyone is expecting a lot from your next project, and it has to be a big one. Something that goes over a game that earned perfect scores; something that goes beyond that. Don’t get derailed.’

I have to be honest, for this project I’m working on, there’s are a lot of people, staff members, and fans who have high expectations. I have the feeling that I can’t fail. I can’t disappoint. I can’t go out there and do something too, too extreme, so there’s a little bit of that which I have to deal with.

Especially, because it’s our first game and we’re working with Sony, I want to make sure that it’s a great game for Sony, so there is pressure in that. However, I’m not even thinking of letting any of that to change anything that’s in the game.”

Speaking on a DICE panel with film maker and friend Guillermo del Toro last night, Kojima added that he feels extremely free” right now, and is relishing making a big game with a small team.