GDC is entering a new era—and it’s bringing one of gaming’s most iconic creators to the center stage. The newly expanded GDC Festival of Gaming announced that Hideo Kojima will deliver its first keynote in five years, marking a major milestone for the event and a symbolic moment for the industry. The festival returns to San Francisco on March 9–13, 2026, and registration is now open.

The keynote, titled “Restarting from Zero: A Message to Creators Considering Independence,” revisits the bold decision Kojima made a decade ago when he founded KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. For an industry facing massive restructuring and creative uncertainty, the session promises a candid look at what it really takes to break away, rebuild, and chart a new path—something many developers are actively considering in today’s turbulent landscape.

A Creator Who Redefined the Medium

Hideo Kojima needs no introduction. Often referred to as the father of the stealth genre, he changed how players experience narrative, tension, and cinematic storytelling. His move to establish KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS in 2015 was more than an exit—it was a signal that independent studios could still shape the future of complex, large-scale games.

The studio’s debut, DEATH STRANDING (2019), became a landmark release, winning global praise for its unconventional design and atmosphere. Its sequel, DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, launched in 2025 on PlayStation 5, continuing the franchise’s blend of emotional storytelling, star-powered performances, and experimental design.

The studio’s pipeline also includes OD, created with Xbox Game Studios, as well as a growing slate of DEATH STRANDING universe projects: a live-action adaptation in partnership with A24, an animated series, and additional expansions. Kojima is also developing PHYSINT, a new action-espionage IP that nods to the genre he helped define.

Along the way, he has earned some of the highest honors in the field, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards (2009) and a BAFTA Fellowship (2020).

A Keynote Aligned With a Changing Industry

GDC Festival of Gaming isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a realignment. The event is evolving to bring together the full ecosystem: developers, publishers, founders, toolmakers, technologists, marketers, educators, and investors. Kojima’s keynote captures that shift toward inclusivity and creative reinvention.

“Hideo Kojima is one of the most influential creative voices of our time,” said Nina Brown, President of GDC. She noted that his presence sets the tone for the festival’s next chapter—one powered by bold thinking and the willingness to rebuild from scratch.

As studios continue to face layoffs, consolidations, and rising production costs, many creators are exploring independent paths. Kojima’s keynote will address that reality head-on. He plans to share personal insights into founding a studio, building a brand from nothing, securing talent, and navigating the complexities of creative control. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes perspective that rarely surfaces in public forums.

A Festival Designed for Today’s Game-Making Era

Beyond the headline keynote, the GDC Festival of Gaming aims to deliver a broader, more interactive experience. The week-long celebration includes:

• Festival Hall immersive experiences

• GamePlan, an expanded networking and matchmaking program

• GDC Nights, featuring community-driven evening events

• Luminaries Speaker Series, designed for executive-level insights

The goal is clear: create a space where everyone who touches the game-making process—from brainstorming to launch to scaling—can connect, collaborate, and build what’s next.

Why This Moment Matters

Kojima’s appearance comes at a moment when creative independence is both attractive and daunting. Many developers aspire to break away from traditional structures, yet few fully understand what that transition demands. Kojima’s journey offers a blueprint for navigating the risks, pitfalls, and rewards of rebuilding from zero.

His keynote is more than a retrospective. It’s a timely message for an industry facing reinvention. As GDC steps into its new identity, choosing Kojima to open the festival underscores a shared belief: the next decade of gaming will be shaped by creators willing to take bold leaps—and the ecosystems that support them.