The legendary game designer will recount his journey after parting ways with Konami and offer guidance to developers aiming for independence.
Hideo Kojima has been announced as the first confirmed headline speaker for the GDC Festival of Gaming 2026. He will present a talk titled “Starting from Scratch: A Message to Creators Considering Independence.” The session is scheduled for March 12 in San Francisco and will be the festival’s centerpiece, which runs from March 9–13, 2026.
Organizers say Kojima’s address will be one of the program’s standout events. The Japanese game designer will reflect on a decade of independent work at Kojima Productions — from establishing an office and assembling a team to shaping the studio’s identity and releasing two major titles: Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
According to the press release, the talk will combine a retrospective with practical advice for those considering founding their own studio. Kojima will share personal insights on team building, managing the creative process, and maintaining a brand’s identity amid mounting market pressures.
GDC President Nina Brown noted that Hideo Kojima is — “one of the most influential creators of our time, whose career exemplifies boldness, fearless creativity, and continual reinvention, traits that are increasingly reshaping the industry today.”
Source: iXBT.games