Hideo Kojima Partners With Niantic Spatial for a New Augmented Reality Project

Hideo Kojima, the mind behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has announced a striking new collaboration with Niantic Spatial, the rebranded company once known as Niantic, creators of Pokémon Go. The reveal took place during Kojima Productions’ Beyond the Strand livestream, where fans also caught glimpses of Kojima’s wider creative slate, from films to new game concepts.

But the standout was this surprising leap into augmented reality (AR), suggesting Kojima’s vision is shifting from virtual landscapes to blending digital storytelling directly into the real world.

Niantic Spatial recently shifted its entire focus to AR technologies after selling off its popular mobile gaming portfolio – including Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom – to Scopely, the studio behind Monopoly Go. This strategic pivot puts Niantic Spatial in the role of infrastructure provider, lending its AR expertise and platform to partners like Kojima Productions. A short teaser from the event featured a man wearing AR glasses, scanning a digital object that appeared seamlessly layered over the physical environment. The imagery was reminiscent of Pokémon Go but with a more cinematic edge, signaling Kojima’s ambition to tell immersive stories outside the screen.

Kojima himself kept details under wraps but hinted at experiences designed for exploration in everyday spaces. “If you’re climbing a mountain, there’s still entertainment there,” he said, teasing that the project could mirror the connective tissue of Death Stranding, but in reality rather than a digital wasteland. Instead of isolating players behind headsets, the idea is to encourage social connections and environmental interaction in the real world. In many ways, it’s a step toward realizing the ‘strand game’ philosophy – but literally walking among us.

John Hanke, CEO of Niantic Spatial, echoed this vision, emphasizing the cultural need for technologies that bring people together instead of dividing them. “Storytelling has always been humanity’s way of coming together,” Hanke explained. “Technology can divide us, but with inspiring creators, it can also become a positive force.” By joining forces with Kojima, Hanke positions this project as more than just a game – it’s intended to be a bridge between art, entertainment, and human connection.

Niantic Spatial described the partnership as a “significant moment for both companies,” a phrase that signals ambition but also invites questions about timelines and execution. No release window has been shared, leaving speculation wide open. Given Kojima’s track record for experimental storytelling, expectations are high that this will not be a standard AR experience but something closer to an interactive narrative lived in the physical world.

The announcement was part of a packed livestream where Kojima also offered updates on the Death Stranding movie, a new animated spinoff, Xbox’s mysterious project OD, and early art and casting details for Physint. Yet the Niantic collaboration stole the spotlight by hinting at a future where gaming bleeds seamlessly into our surroundings. If Kojima manages to turn his experimental concepts into practical AR storytelling, this could redefine how we think about games, social play, and even walking down the street.