Kojima Productions’ upcoming horror game, OD, has been one of the more baffling, but intriguing, projects teased by the developer. After Death Stranding and its upcoming sequel, OD may be next in line as Kojima Productions’ follow-up release. As of now, there is very little known about OD and what it entails, but Hideo Kojima has confirmed that it’s a horror story.
After Kojima’s Silent Hills was abruptly canceled by Konami, many were left disappointed that a horror game crafted by the mind behind Metal Gear would never come to pass. However, OD reignites excitement for a Kojima-led horror story. In common Hideo Kojima fashion, OD already looks to be an experimental approach to the genre. So far, one of the few things known about the project is its cast. Actors Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer and Udo Kier star in OD‘s unsettling first trailer, but there are also rumors that a past Kojima collaborator will play a role. Margaret Qualley played a dual role in Death Stranding, and if she appears in OD, her most recent film, The Substance, could serve as great inspiration for Kojima.
Related
Kojima’s Physint Might Have a Hard Time Escaping the Metal Gear Comparisons, But It May Not Need To
Kojima Productions is planning to release PlayStation-exclusive espionage game Physint, and that description alone will draw Metal Gear comparisons.
Hideo Kojima Could Find Gruesome Inspiration For OD in The Substance
Embracing One Of the Year’s Best Horror Films
Rumors about Margaret Qualley’s involvement with Hideo Kojima’s horror project started back in 2022 after writer Tom Henderson claimed the casting decision. While the game was rumored to be called “Overdose” at the time, the shortening to OD could give some weight to Henderson’s claims. It’s no secret that Kojima is a huge lover of pop culture. From film to music, he’s been heavily inspired by many works. He also seems to pay close attention to the work of the actors he collaborates with, and Margaret Qualley made waves this year, boasting three different projects.
- Drive-Away Dolls
- Kinds of Kindness
- The Substance
While her other two performances were great, her role as Sue in The Substance really stood out. The gore-heavy satire is filled with intense body horror that Kojima would likely have a field day with. Based on the trailer for OD, it seems like the game may be leaning into more psychological territory, but there’s no telling what Kojima has in store. Depending on how far psychological aspects are pushed, OD could still lend itself to plenty of body horror via hallucinations. Either way, Hide Kojima’s love for pop culture and admiration for the actors he works with likely means that he has seen The Substance, and if so, it could easily become a source of strong horror inspiration.
Margaret Qualley plays both Mama and Lockne in
Death Stranding
.
Hideo Kojima Has Dabbled With Body Horror Before
As a tease for the now-canceled Silent Hills, Kojima brought forth PT, the viral “playable teaser” that is still talked about among horror fans. While minimal, PT was incredibly effective, with games like Visage taking note of its eerie, first-person atmosphere. Although PT doesn’t go into full-blown body horror, it still dabbles; Lisa, the ghost haunting the never-ending hallway, has a twisted face that has been mangled from being stabbed in the eye by her husband. Even more grotesque, though, is the wriggling fetus lying in the bathroom sink.
OD Remains Mysterious, But Compelling
It’s almost been a year since OD was announced, and there is still very little known about the game. As the wait continues, Kojima will hopefully shed more light on his horror project soon. With The Game Awards arriving, there is always the chance for a surprise update, but only time will tell.
OD
is being co-written by Hideo Kojima and Jordan Peele.
Until more news is revealed, OD is swimming in speculation and theories. There has yet to be official confirmation of Margaret Qualley’s casting, but if she collaborates with Kojima again, it will be fascinating to see what the two cook up together.
Kojima Productions
- Date Founded
- December 16, 2015
- Headquarters
- 1-2-70 Konan, Tokyo.
- CEO
- Hideo Kojima