NEW YORK — Under the guise of “research” for the sequel to the popular and enigmatic video game Death Stranding, noted game designer and head of Kojima Productions, Hideo Kojima, was spotted with what appeared to be a full-body scanner at this year’s MET Gala, per multiple reports.
“I am always looking for inspiration, everywhere I go.” Kojima told the press. “Which celebrities’ likenesses will appear in my next game? Even I am unsure. That is why I always come prepared with my scanner, so that at any moment, I am able to adapt a real-life star into the digital world. Will it make sense as a part of Death Stranding 2’s story? Of that, there is also no telling. Sometimes I just ask Lea Seydoux to show up, and she does. Ah, your question was about who I’m wearing? I do not know. Now, who I am scanning…that is more concerning to me. …Oh, there is Ana de Armas. I must go. Thank you very much.”
Multiple A-listers on the Gala’s red (or rather, blue) carpet found Kojima’s behavior confusing, assuming that the scanner was simply a part of his attire for the evening.
“Yeah, we didn’t really know what the hell that was.” commented comedian and actress Ego Nwodim, who co-hosted the Gala’s red carpet livestream with singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor. “Teyana and I were asking him for the inspiration behind his jet black suit when he cut in and asked if either one of us minded being scanned. He had this giant, like, futuristic-looking device with him, I don’t even know how to describe it. We thought it was just an accessory, like the piano Andre 3000 was wearing. He didn’t even tell us what it was for, so we said no. It was a really awkward TV moment. But then again, those happen all the time on SNL.”
Among the celebrities that agreed to be scanned was pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who shared her experience speaking with the celebrated game developer.
“I don’t know, it was kind of flattering, I guess. He told me I have a beautiful smile and asked if I’d agree to be scanned and ‘put into a video game.’ I’d heard of him before and I just did that with Fortnite, so I do have some experience. He seemed very grateful. I just held my arms out spread-eagle and his, uh, doohickey scanned me up and down. It took an extra long amount of time to scan my feet… a little kinky, but I don’t mind that.”
At press time, Kojima was seen analyzing his newly-scanned celebrities and showing the digital renderings to Norman Reedus at their gala table.
