Hideo Kojima’s book The Creative Gene getting English translation

Game designer Hideo Kojima’s book The Gifted Gene and My Lovable Memes, originally published in Japanese in 2019, is getting an English-language translation. Publisher Viz will release the translated book this October under the fittingly lengthy name The Creative Gene: How books, movies, and music inspired the creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid.

The Creative Gene will consist of a collection of essays written by Kojima that explore his personal inspirations. That includes opinions and reviews of music, films, and books beloved by Kojima. The book will also include a conversation between Kojima and musician/actor Gen Hoshino, whose song “Pop Virus” appears in Death Stranding.

Here’s Viz’s official synopsis of the book:

Ever since he was a child, Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima was a voracious consumer of movies, music, and books. They ignited his passion for stories and storytelling, and the results can be seen in his groundbreaking, iconic video games. Now the head of independent studio Kojima Productions, Kojima’s enthusiasm for entertainment media has never waned. This collection of essays explores some of the inspirations behind one of the titans of the video game industry, and offers an exclusive insight into one of the brightest minds in pop culture.

The Creative Gene: How books, movies, and music inspired the creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid will be released Oct. 12, 2021.

Image: Courtesy of Viz Media