Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima has long been one of the biggest names in the industry, but in 2024, he's elevated himself to a level that none of his contemporaries have reached before.
A pioneer of video game design, he’s credited with implementing and integrating game mechanics that were once thought of as impossible or inconceivable.
Best known for his Metal Gear Solid series, the imaginative and sometimes eccentric video game director now has his own production company after leaving Konami in 2015.
The company, Kojima Productions, is now considered one of the most important and exciting video game studios.
After the release of the company’s first game, Death Stranding, a sequel has just been announced recently with multiple other projects in the works too.
A new documentary, titled Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds, about the video game auteur's process and creativity is coming to Disney+ on February 23.
Here we chart the journey of Hideo Kojima, the mark he's made on the video game industry and what’s to come next.
The beginning
Kojima's early ambitions were to become a film director – he thought that if he wrote stories that won him awards, he would be offered work as a director.
The dream didn’t materialise, so the young creative turned to the burgeoning video game industry. Kojima applied to work for Konami, which in the late 1980s were angling themselves to become a leading company in video game production.
Kojima’s first project was a game called Penguin Adventure, a fun but simple game that allowed the young designer to showcase his abilities. The game was well received, and Konami wanted to see more from Kojima, giving him the reins of a new game.
That new game was Metal Gear, the first in a long-running series that became synonymous with Kojima and would grow to become some of the most beloved games around the world.
Despite the first game’s humble beginnings, Kojima was able to take a straightforward top-down action game and inject elements of stealth and combat never seen before in gaming.
His next project was Snatcher, a text-based cyberpunk adventure game that drew heavily from science fiction literature and cinema, especially the works of Philip K Dick. The game reminded those who played it of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.
Metal Gear focus
Kojima returned to the Metal Gear series, expanding upon it with several sequels. The game’s global popularity exploded in 1998 with the release of Metal Gear Solid on the first PlayStation console.
It is one of the first PlayStation cornerstones, becoming one of the best-selling games on the console.
In 2001, Kojima followed up with a sequel named Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which sold even better than the first game, ultimately becoming the highest-selling game in the series.
The successful series would continue in stride, with each game release cementing the legacy of Kojima as an innovative and ingenious game designer who is advancing the medium.
Fallout with Konami and dismissal
Having overseen the Metal Gear series of games for years, Kojima decided he wanted to try his hand at a new game genre. He set his sights on the long-running Silent Hill series, which had been dormant and desperately needed a revival.
Kojima recruited the help of Mexican film director Guillermo Del Toro and horror manga icon Junji Ito to help him kick-start a new Silent Hill game.
It was to be fronted by The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus, and after a successful demo game release named PT, fans couldn’t wait to experience the game in full.
Unfortunately, behind the scenes, the relationship between Kojima and his employer Konami had worsened due to disagreements about the direction the company should take in regard to investing money and resources.
Kojima wanted the focus to be on games like his, sprawling single player games that give gamers a full-fledged storied experience. Konami on the other hand wanted to divert resources towards mobile gaming, allowing them to make games on the cheap and reap profits from microtransactions.
Ahead of the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the last game he would work on at Konami, Kojima was dismissed from the company. The dismissal also meant that the Silent Hill game was cancelled before completion.
The news was a surprise to video game fans around the world, sending most on a quest to find out what happened exactly, and what it would mean to the beloved long-running Metal Gear Solid series.
New beginnings
After his dismissal, Kojima announced he would start an independent game studio named Kojima Productions working on a new franchise for PlayStation.
The first game in the franchise, Death Standing, was released on the PlayStation 4 in 2019 and featured Norman Reedus as a porter who delivers goods in a world ravaged by supernatural forces.
Death Stranding received mixed reviews, but most critics and fans agreed that it offered a different gaming experience. Its sequel was announced last week during PlayStation’s State of Plays showcase and is set to be carry the subtitle On the Beach.
During the showcase, it was also announced that Kojima will be developing a new stealth game for PlayStation which should excite fans of the Metal Gear Solid series. The game’s working title is Physint.
The studio is also working on a horror game called OD which is being developed for Xbox. The game is set to star Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer and Udo Kier and will be co-written by horror film director Jordan Peele.
Film production company A24 announced last year that they will be producing a film adaptation of Death Stranding. Little is known yet about the planned release date of the film and whether the actors in the game will be returning for the project.
The future
Kojima has proved time and again that he has an unmatched talent for designing and writing video games. His work has been an influence on many new generations of game designers around the world.
He also has a unique ability to attract some of the most sought-after actors and creatives in the video game and film industries.
His dismissal from Konami has robbed fans of a new Metal Gear Solid game, the last of which was labelled “unfinished” by his fans due to the clear change in quality halfway through.
Kojima’s multidisciplinary approach to his projects ensures that gaming will continue to evolve and include talents from all industries. Whether its horror, fantasy or stealth, he keeps pushing the envelope on what is expected from a gaming experience.
The pantheon of gaming pioneers carries many names. From Shigeru Miyamoto to Sam Lake, video games have come a long way from the days of Pong. Kojima’s name is already etched in that pantheon, and he's far from done writing his legacy.
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neo%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20February%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abhishek%20Shah%20and%20Anish%20Garg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delta%20Corp%2C%20Pyse%20Sustainability%20Fund%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scores
Day 1
Toss England, chose to bat
England, 1st innings 357-5 (87 overs): Root 184 not out, Moeen 61 not out, Stokes 56; Philander 3-46
The%20Specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%20twin%20turbocharged%20V6%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20472hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20603Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh290%2C000%20(%2478%2C9500)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
