Hideo Kojima Elected into the AIAS Hall of Fame

Hideo Kojima is loose and whatever his next project is has begun development: and yes, while we’re all happy for Mr. Kojima, this doesn’t exactly change the fact that for the past half-year or so, Konami had denied Kojima many of the accolades and recognition for MGS5: The Phantom Pain he had rightfully earned, presumably out of sheer bitterness. He was refused to go out in public, receive awards, do interviews… he was trapped. How, then, could we possibly make up for all that lost time, all that lost recognition?

I mean, assuming he needs it. Which he doesn’t. But we’re assuming he does.

Well, it’s too late for him to receive his Game Awards trophy or his award from the Playstation Award show, but he can still be there, in person, to see his induction into The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Which is happening, by the way. He’ll be the 21st person added into the hall. He’ll receive the award that comes with this honor at the 19th DICE conference this February 18th, and it will be presented by his once-partner on the critically acclaimed PT, Guillermo del Toro.

So it’s gonna be quite the event. Martin Rae, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science, had this to say about his recent nomination into the Hall of Fame:
 

"Hideo Kojima's career-defining works have shaped much of how the video game industry approaches cinematic storytelling and player engagement. As one of the most well-loved and well-respected designers of our time, it is a great honor for the Academy to induct him into our Hall of Fame. Hideo is a game creator whose eyes have always looked towards the future, and we look forward to his thoughts on the D.I.C.E. Summit stage."

I, personally, hope that Kojima focuses on the future, rather than spending any time vocalizing any bitterness he must feel towards Konami. If we’re looking to the future, it’s time to leave that bitter dinosaur behind… to decompose into oil, so we can burn them at our leisure. I want him to be the better man--the gaming public can be as vicious as it wants.