"Can You Hear Us, Brazil?" Japan's Legends Including Hideo Kojima, Naoki Hamaguchi, and Yoko Shimomura Head to South America's Largest Gaming Event, "Brasil Game Show 2025"
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/673/G067389/20251001053/
Editorial Department: huan | 2025/10/09 03:00 (UTC)
The largest gaming event in South America, “Brasil Game Show” Image Gallery No. 004 thumbnail / “Can Brazilians hear me?” Hideo Kojima, Naoki Hamaguchi, and Yoko Shimomura—Japan’s legends head to the continent’s biggest gaming event, Brasil Game Show 2025
It has been announced that three legendary figures from Japan’s gaming industry, well-known internationally, will be attending the 2025 edition of “Brasil Game Show 2025” (hereafter BGS 2025), taking place from October 9 to 12 in São Paulo, Brazil.
The trio—Hideo Kojima, Naoki Hamaguchi, and Yoko Shimomura—are set to elevate South America’s largest gaming event. All three are scheduled to participate in fan engagement events called “Meet & Greet” as well as talk sessions titled “BGS Talks.” Kojima will serve as a judge for the cosplay contest; Hamaguchi will speak at the opening ceremony, and Shimomura will receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” honoring her contributions to the gaming industry—each with their own special participation planned.
Hideo Kojima returns to BGS after eight years
First, it was revealed that Hideo Kojima will attend BGS 2025 on October 11 and 12. This marks his first appearance at the event since 2017—eight years later.
At “BGS Talks,” he is expected to discuss the background and themes behind the upcoming title, DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH. Additionally, a limited number of free tickets will be available for the exclusive “Meet & Greet” event, where fans can take photos with Kojima and receive autographs.
Although it may seem obvious to mention, Kojima is renowned as a creator who pioneered cinematic presentation and story-driven game development since his debut with Metal Gear in 1987. After leaving Konami in 2015, he founded his independent studio, KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. Following the release of DEATH STRANDING in 2019, he recently launched its sequel, DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, on June 26 this year. The film adaptation of the series is also currently underway.
In fact, Kojima was awarded the “BGS Lifetime Achievement Award” during his first visit to Brazil in 2017. Marcelo Tavares, founder of BGS, commented: “Kojima built a strong bond with Brazilian fans back in 2017. His return this year—another significant moment for his studio—is deeply meaningful not only for the event but also for Brazil’s domestic gaming industry.”
Naoki Hamaguchi to discuss the FINAL FANTASY VII Remake series
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, first discovered video games when he encountered FINAL FANTASY VI in 1994. He joined Square (now Square Enix) in 2003, where he worked on visual effects for FINAL FANTASY XII. Later, he served as the main programmer during development of the three-part FINAL FANTASY XIII series.
He then led the project for Mebius Final Fantasy, before co-directing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE alongside Tetsuya Nomura. Now, he is serving as director for the first time in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.
The game has received high acclaim from critics and holds an average score of 92 on Metacritic based on 145 reviews. Hamaguchi’s work stands out by respecting the original world while boldly updating battle systems and storytelling to suit modern players.
Marcelo Tavares, founder of BGS, said: “With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, Mr. Hamaguchi has played a key role in major projects for the iconic FINAL FANTASY franchise as director. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH successfully balances reverence for the original with innovation. His presence will undoubtedly enrich this year’s BGS.”
Yoko Shimomura to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at BGS 2025
Composer Yoko Shimomura began her career in the late 1980s at Capcom, where she became known for her music on Street Fighter II, especially the theme associated with the character Guy.
She later moved to Square (now Square Enix), contributing to titles such as Super Mario RPG, Secret of Mana, and Parasite Eve. Her unique style blends classical, orchestral, and modern musical elements.
Her most iconic work is the Kingdom Hearts series, where emotionally rich music plays a vital role in shaping the franchise’s world. She also composed the soundtrack for FINAL FANTASY XV Image Gallery No. 003 thumbnail / “Can Brazilians hear me?” Hideo Kojima, Naoki Hamaguchi, and Yoko Shimomura—Japan’s legends head to the continent’s biggest gaming event, Brasil Game Show 2025
In April 2025, Shimomura was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship at the 21st BAFTA Games Awards—the highest honor bestowed by Britain’s Film and Television Academy (BAFTA), recognizing her sustained contributions to the gaming industry. She also received the GDC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
“Music is key to immersion and emotion within games, and some soundtracks become forever tied to players’ favorite memories of a title. Yoko Shimomura is a true legend of video games—recipient of both the BAFTA Game Awards and the 2024 GDC Lifetime Achievement Award. Her presence will enrich this year’s BGS,” fans are eagerly anticipating.
BGS 2025 will be the largest edition to date, utilizing all five pavilions at Distrito Anhembi, reinforcing its role as the ultimate hub for gaming community interaction. It will serve as a strategic center for business opportunities, game launches, immersive activations, esports tournaments, themed areas, panel discussions featuring international celebrities, and experiences that connect video games with other forms of pop culture and digital expression. For more information, visit the official website.