KOJI10, コジ10, ep.24 From London and DS2 First Impressions

 Last week DS2 sales started. Today we will report live with Mr. Kojima from London. It’s 2pm here in London. 

2:30 K: Were you able to have a drink at Parco?Yes! I had Sam’s blood transfusion drink, by takeout from Kome & Circus from Parco B1 floor. 

3:00 A few hours after release, you flew to Paris.Yes, I had opening event with Mr. Shin and Ottokito. we were on a boat in Paris, rocking on a boat like an earthquake. 

3:30 Yesterday by private jet, we went to London. The plane was 2-3 hrs. late and landed in a different airport, plus 2 hrs drive into London. so it took 5 hours. It would have been faster to take the Eurostar. Might need a parachute next time. Ha ha. Sometimes things don’t go smoothly, like Tom (Cruise). 

4:00 I love London! We had a photo Opportunity, and music there is similar to a Live House in Tokyo.  Now at Denmark street, at a place called Outer Net. DS2 Tunnel, it took us 2 years to try and get that spot. It’s near our DS2  pop up shop. They have a live stage and Caroline Polachek and CVrches will sing. There is a little suprise too, but I can’t say now. There isn’t any broadcast of it, so you might have to check my SNS feeds. I’m in it right now. 

6:00 Will you go sightseeing?  No. I haven’t slept yet. I’ve only slept about 2 hours so far. I do get jet lag. But I woke up so I keep going. I hear Yampi looked really big at 188cms tall. Youngsters are really tall these days. 

7:00 These days Tokyo debut doesn’t really happen. It’s a world debut, all at the same time. Wih my previous release, I returned to Tokyo after the release. 

Mr. Hoshino also had an event we want people to,check. 

Even though I have nothing to do with DS2, I went around Parco, and the DS2 atmosphere is compelling. There were a lot of people, from many countries talking about Mr. Kojima! 

The Parco area in Tokyo has a lot of foreign guests. looking at umm, Pokémon items as well. 

We almost need to walk around like bodyguards. Ha ha.

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10:00 We have a lot of email coming in to: 

Koji10@tbs.co.jp time is limited, so let’s get to the Q&A portion.

Q1:  Congratulations on DS2, I have been following Mr. Kojima’s career since I was young. I have been playing DS2 everyday since its release. It was my birthday on June 29th. I was very happy to receive the special birthday celebration. The celebration seems to already be on the net, too. Thank you for the special event. 

11:30 We filmed that birthday scene on Elle Fanning’s birthday. We did one recording, then there was another doorbell ring, and I entered the room, and I could give her the cake. The cast seem to really get along well together. 

12:30 Q2: I’m a beginner at games and DS2, with early access. Missions that had grass growing so I couldn’t move. I returned to the home in the dark many times. Finally I was able to see Dollman’s performance of Horizon Dreamer. I felt the similar parallel connection between not moving the controller, and not progressing in life. I was happy to be able to progress. I am looking forward to the rest of the story.

K: on the controller, as a beginner there are a lot of buttons, but as a director, there aren’t quite enough. Like for power boosts. 

You can change your level during the game, too. For example, just before a battle scene. Announcer had to return to the room and do some VR training to prepare for battle again. The announcer was surprised that the controller foreshadows the sandstorm and they were already tense & holding their breath before the storm arrived. Ha ha, yeah, balance is also important. Lou is so cute too! I work hard to see Lou again! 

With the sandstorms, you get all dirty, and you can rinse off in the rivers, so you don’t need to return for a shower. It might have been during the training portion. However after that there is a scene where it becomes inconvenient to be covered in sand. 

17:00 Q3: I’m part way thru the game and working hard at it, but also have other commitments. Well, you might have to game while they are still sleeping. Ha ha. 

18:30 It’s 35°C in Tokyo, and almost that in London. It’s too hot to walk in Tokyo, so I was thinking to get my steps in while playing DS2. Ha ha.

Sometimes Amazon gets delivered faster, and people post on YouTube too fast, so it gets deleted. 

20:00 Can you tell us more about the event in London?  Oh, I already let the surprise out, that Caroline Polachek and ChVrches will sing tonight! Oops! Ha ha…

Jeff is in rehearsal soon. This seems to be the starting location for all subsequent opening events. I think I will be back in Japan the day after tomorrow on Wednesday. I will have a one day break, then the Asia tour starts. 

The Asia tour is quite long. Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai. I won’t be taking enough clothes, so need to decide where to do laundry. Oh yeah, a ou Dee don’t want to think if Mr. Kojima might not be wearing underpants. Oh my goodness! Ha ha… You must be very busy with packing luggage.

What are we doing g next week? Two of us won’t be here. Maybe while you are here, we might record at a pub. And read the emails first. Maybe review last week’s events? Well, the listeners absolutely want to know everything , even just one day ahead. Two weeks from now we will be settled down again and be able to collect a lot of information to broadcast. 

24:00 How is your hand since the injury with the guitar during the event? But you have a tight schedule today. So maybe we can hear more about it next time. 

At the London pop up shop, there is a place you can take a photo and make stickers. I made a couple of them and will gift them to Koji10 listeners when I get back to Japan.

You can get off At Tottemham Court Road Station. 

25:15 🎵 In London, it has to be David Bowie’s Starman. 

Thank you, Mr. Kojima from London.

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26:00 Let’s start the DS2 early feedback section. 

1)  Mid 40’s male, had purchased a PC during his high school days to play Policenauts. I lost my job and worked as a hawker, but decided to try working as a Porter. It is difficult with the heat and rain. I replay the song Horizon Dreamer, and it helps. Thank you for making DS2. It will get me thru the tough times.

Announcer is reminded how important it is to say thank you to the delivery person, especially during these days of being short staffed. Even during a mistaken delivery, I do my best to forward the package now.

31:00

2) I am amazed at the scenery, music and dramatic story. I started with Photo mode, and am progressing slowly because I want to visit all scenic locations. If Mr. Kojima were playing an open world game , how would he progress thru it ? (Announcer will ask him Later). I am enjoying listening to  Koji10 weekly. 

Announcer is always amazed at Mr. Kojima’s photos on X. She tends to like the game’s in room extra large screen, and debates which photo to set for viewing. But then the scenery is second to none, and spends a lot of time deciding where to take a photo. 

3) Listener has early access, and have really felt the connection between Kojima Productions and other Directors and creators and musicians. The in game connections parallel Mr. Kojima’s real life connections. I really enjoy the side quests, and haven’t progressed far in the Main story yet. 

Announcer, also has some connections felt between creative makers who spend much time in isolation creating, with DS2 being able to connect them. Even even during our visit to Parco, people were also saying KOJI10 ! It was surprising to me to make those connections, and the hype surrounding DS2. 

4) I think Louis also cut when they are at rest. However I feel like I am progressing quickly in the story. Thanks for an amazing game.

Announcer, is also feeling the speed in the story progression, and ability to get tasks done. Even with the controller, and music helping us to progress. I feel like talking to the controller, saying it’s going to be ok! I tried to rush across a River, and all the parcels went down the rivers. I debated the spray and when to use it etc. then it all flowed away! No progress! Yikes! I had to try again. I got the announcement that my packages had gone too far away. But then I apologize to Sam! Then I still get likes!  Ha ha… 

5) I am in auto mode, and enjoy the evening views and Yamato Transport collaboration.

6) I got DS2 on opening day. Lou is just too cute. I went back to see Lou again. I took lots of pictures of raising Lou. I am worried about Lou’s future, so I need to progress in the game. 

7) I am playing in Japanese. Mr. Tsuda’s voice and all the Japanese characters voices. Thank you! 

Thank you for listening to Koji10 today.

Next week, Mr.Kojima and I will not be able to meet. However KOJI10 will make a live session. I am. Looking forward to getting game tips and tricks from New and Veteran porters.