Riyadh Gathers Visionaries as Hideo Kojima Redefines Storytelling at NGSC 2025

As the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup unfolds, the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC 2025) is setting the stage for something extraordinary. The conference blending the worlds of sport, esports, and entertainment has drawn more than 1,500 delegates, including over 500 CEOs, industry titans, and creative visionaries .

But the most electric moment arrived when legendary game creator Hideo Kojima, known for redefining interactive narrative through titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, stepped onto the stage for a landmark session titled "Blurring the Lines Between Games and Cinema" .

A Vision for the Future of Entertainment

Moderator Christopher Cruz guided the conversation, exploring how storytelling is evolving with interactive platforms, AI, and cinematic technology. Kojima wasn’t alone, he shared the stage with his longtime collaborator, filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (who portrayed Heartman in Death Stranding) .

What stood out wasn’t just his creative wisdom but his praise for Saudi Arabia’s bold ambitions:

“The country I look at… they’re kind of creating something for the future. I feel so envious of this country. Everyone’s looking at this future… You have everything you need to create something new art, movies, games. Let’s create the future together. And I want to play that, and I want to see that.”— Hideo Kojima

These words didn’t just echo across the auditorium, they painted a vivid picture of a nation striving to be at the epicenter of the future of entertainment.

Why the Panel Resonated

- A Cultural Crossroads: Kojima’s spotlight elevated NGSC from a business forum to a cultural summit, reinforcing the synergy between storytelling, sport, and digital innovation.

- Vision 2030 Unlocks Creativity: His admiration for the Kingdom’s investment in entertainment and arts complemented Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, underlining how esports and gaming are now core cultural industries.

- Global Momentum, Local Impact: The packed session proved one thing NGSC 2025 isn’t just happening in Riyadh; it’s shaping the narrative for global entertainment and competition going forward.

Conference-Wide Highlights

- The event’s theme, “The Kingdom’s Next Era of Play,” echoes through sessions led by industry giants from Sony, Ubisoft, Amazon, and more

- International leaders, including Peter Moore, highlighted the importance of esports to Vision 2030:

“Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that has an esports strategy as part of Vision 2030… I leave here blown away by what this country can do.”— Peter Moore