Kojima defends small teams after praising Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

During a recent statement, the designer Hideo Kojima, founder of Kojima Productions, drew attention by praising the size of the development team of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a new RPG announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024. According to him, the reduced number of professionals involved is closer to what he considers the "ideal" for game production.

"Size matters, but smaller is better. That's my ideal," said Kojima when commenting on the work of Sandfall Interactive, the studio responsible for the game. Expedition 33 is being developed by about 30 people, a number that contrasts with the common megastructures in current AAA productions.

The statement by Kojima was published on his social media, where the creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding highlighted the quality of the art direction and visual aesthetics of the project. "It's rare to see such a small team achieve this level of quality. It reminds me of the old days of the industry," he added.

Officially announced in June 2024, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is described as an RPG with turn-based combat, aesthetic inspired by French surrealism, and set in a dark universe with a strong narrative focus. The game is set to be released in 2025, with confirmed versions for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass at launch.

The context of the statements also reinforces a recurring discussion about the current production model of AAA games, which often involves hundreds of developers spread across multiple studios around the world. It is worth noting that Hideo Kojima himself is working on large projects currently, such as OD, a production in partnership with Microsoft, and a possible sequel to Death Stranding, still without official confirmation.

The designer's statement comes at a time when the market is debating the increasing costs and coordination challenges in massive projects. For Kojima, the success of Expedition 33 could serve as an example for a leaner and more creative approach.