Kojima Confirms OD Development Resumed After Strike

Hideo Kojima has confirmed that development on his upcoming horror title, OD, has returned to active production. The update followed a period of stagnation caused by industry labor disputes, which had previously halted recording schedules. Kojima addressed the status during a segment at the Tokyo Game Show, emphasizing that the project is moving forward again.

The announcement came shortly after the game's publisher shifted to Xbox, a move that followed earlier complications involving Sony. This change in partnership has allowed the studio to resume work on performance capture and audio recording. The project is now being developed in direct collaboration with Xbox Game Studios, marking a significant shift in its production trajectory.

Recording sessions resume after pause

Kojima noted that the team has restarted both motion capture and ADR recording processes. These activities had been suspended when the Screen Actors Guild strike impacted the industry. The delay meant that actors could not perform their roles or record their dialogue for an extended period, creating a bottleneck in the development pipeline.

With the strike resolved, the cast has returned to the studio. Kojima specifically praised the work of Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer, describing their recent sessions as intense and outstanding. He indicated that the quality of these performances is high, though he did not release any footage or clips to the public yet.

Anthology structure features multiple directors

OD is designed as an anthology game, meaning it will consist of distinct segments rather than a single continuous narrative. Each segment will be written and directed by different creators, with Kojima himself involved in several sections. Jordan Peele is also confirmed to be writing and directing specific parts of the game, bringing diverse creative perspectives to the horror experience.

The cast includes the late Udo Kier, whose participation adds a layer of finality to his contribution. This ensemble approach allows for varied storytelling techniques and tones within the single title. The trade-off for this structure is that players must engage with multiple distinct storylines, which may vary in style and execution depending on the specific director attached to each segment.

Xbox partnership secures future support

Kojima expressed gratitude to Xbox for supporting the project during its transition. The partnership provides the necessary backing to continue development without further interruption. This relationship is critical for the game's completion, as it ensures continued access to the resources needed for high-end motion capture and audio production.

While Kojima teased that the game will push the boundaries of fear, he offered no specific release date or further technical details. The focus remains on finishing the production cycle, which is currently in the middle of its performance capture phase. Players will need to wait for future updates to see how these distinct anthology segments come together in the final product.