Kojima Productions Founder Headlines Saudi Esports Festival

The Esports World Cup (EWC) Foundation has announced that world-renowned game creator Hideo Kojima will attend the EWC 2025 Festival in Riyadh on August 23.

Kojima will appear on a special Q&A panel as part of the "Death Stranding World Strand Tour 2" at Publisher Park. This event celebrates the release of his new title "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" and offers fans a unique opportunity to hear directly about the game's development process.

Visionary Who Redefined 40 Years of Gaming History

Kojima has spent nearly 40 years pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling and cinematic game design. As founder of Kojima Productions and creator of the iconic "Death Stranding" series, he pioneered stealth-action gameplay and elevated gaming to new narrative and artistic heights.

His passion for film, music, and literature permeates his work. From unforgettable characters to immersive emotional worlds, his dedication to detail and creative authenticity has inspired generations of developers and earned acclaim far beyond the gaming industry worldwide.

Sharing the Stage with Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn

Beyond the EWC Festival, Kojima will serve as a keynote speaker at the New Global Sport Conference 2025, an industry forum held during the final weekend of EWC 2025.

There, he will share insights into the development of "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" and his approach to game creation. Joining him on stage will be longtime friend and collaborator, filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, who portrayed the character Heartman in the previous "Death Stranding."

Largest Esports Tournament Ever

Esports World Cup 2025 is a global event featuring 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries. With 25 tournaments spanning 24 games, the total prize pool exceeds $70 million, making it the largest in history.

Kojima's participation carries symbolic significance in bridging esports and traditional game development. His philosophy of elevating gaming beyond mere competition into the realm of art and storytelling now meets the next generation on the world's biggest esports stage.