Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima has said he would like to die in a cinema, right before a film begins, describing the pre-screening moments of dimmed lights, trailers and adverts as his favourite part of the experience. The 62-year-old developer made the remark, delivered with a hint of humour but in a serious tone, during a film festival appearance in Rome earlier this month, and footage of the moment was later shared on his official X account.

The comment is not the first time Kojima has reflected publicly on mortality; he has previously spoken of leaving staff a USB stick of unfinished game ideas for after his death and described becoming more conscious of his limited time following a serious illness during the pandemic. The Rome remark was made at the Piccolo America Foundation's Il Cinema in Piazza festival, where Kojima also took part in panel discussions and introduced several films, including works by Toei studio and Dario Argento, discussing their influence on his own game design.