Hideo Kojima has offered a captivating insight into the development process of his upcoming Xbox horror game, OD, by sharing an intriguing detail involving a traditional Japanese purification ceremony.
The revelation came during the highly anticipated return of Kojima’s HideoTube YouTube series, where he briefly touched upon OD, also known as Overdose. While Kojima remained tight-lipped about specific details regarding the game, he promised that information would be unveiled gradually.
However, what caught the attention of many was a memorable image featuring Kojima alongside Xbox head Phil Spencer and Xbox President Sarah Bond. Kojima explained that, given the nature of OD, he decided to involve Spencer and Bond in an Oharai purification ceremony, presumably to rid the project of any malevolent influences.
The photograph, though captured on the phone, clearly depicts Spencer, Bond, and Kojima adorned in ceremonial sashes adorned with Japanese characters running down the length.
Kojima elaborated on the significance of the ceremony, drawing parallels to the common practice of seeking spiritual purification before embarking on endeavors in horror films or dramas.
For context, the Oharai ceremony, also spelled Ōharae, is a traditional ritual conducted bi-annually to purify large groups of individuals for various purposes.
Kojima’s implication strongly suggests that the ceremony was performed to cleanse or purify the collaborative venture between himself and Xbox for OD, a visually distinct horror game that evidently warranted such spiritual attention.
While the specifics of OD remained elusive in the video, Kojima hinted at its exploration of fear and its ambitious blending of video game and cinematic elements. This approach aligns with Kojima’s recent projects, including Death Stranding 2 and the newly announced action espionage game, indicating a continued push towards innovative storytelling and immersive experiences in gaming.
