Hideo Kojima has already conceptualized a potential Death Stranding 3, but he will not be directing it. Delve into how Death Stranding 2 could pave the way for multiple sequels and explore what lies ahead for Kojima's future projects.
Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead
In an insightful interview with VGC on May 8, Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2 (DS2), disclosed that he has an idea for Death Stranding 3. However, he firmly stated that he would not be the one to execute it. He highlighted a key concept from DS2 called the "Plate Gates," which could enable the series to expand into various countries, potentially spawning numerous sequels. Kojima remarked, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels."
Despite this innovative idea, Kojima made it clear that he has no intention of personally developing Death Stranding 3. He noted, "I, of course, don’t have any plans to do that, but I already have a concept for another sequel. I am not going to make it myself, but if I passed it on to someone else, they could probably make it." This suggests that while fans may not see a Kojima-directed sequel soon, other developers might take the helm with his blessing.
The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme
Kojima also shared how the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the thematic direction of DS2. Released just before the onset of widespread lockdowns in November 2019, the first game emphasized connectivity amidst a world teetering on the brink of isolation. Kojima explained, "The world was heading towards isolation and division, such as the UK leaving the EU. So I was saying, ‘Let’s connect. We’re headed for disaster if we don’t connect.’ That was the theme, story, and gameplay for Death Stranding."
The pandemic, according to Kojima, mirrored the game's core message by highlighting the necessity of the Chiral Network, akin to the real-world Internet. "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online," he observed. Yet, he also acknowledged the Internet's role in fostering division, noting the shift towards the metaverse and reduced real-life human interactions.
Kojima stressed, "Communication between human beings is not meant to be this way. You meet people by chance or see sights you didn’t expect to see. With the way we were headed, you would lose all of that." The initial concept for DS2 was already set, but the pandemic led him to reconsider connectivity's role. He pondered, "Maybe it’s not such a good thing to connect so much," and this introspection is reflected through one of the game's characters.
He further elaborated that the strands in the game's logos symbolize their themes, with the first game advocating for connectivity ("Let’s Connect") and the sequel questioning it ("We should not have connected"). Kojima teased, "When you really start thinking about what it means to connect, you start to wonder… That’s all I’ll say for now."
More Projects To Come
Despite stepping away from directing Death Stranding 3, Kojima remains actively involved in other ventures. In December 2023, he and filmmaker Jordan Peele announced their collaborative project, OD (formerly Overdose), at The Game Awards 2023, in partnership with Microsoft Game Studios. Kojima shared, "The project we’re working on with Microsoft is one I have been thinking about for five or six years already. The project required infrastructure that was never needed before, so I discussed it with lots of different big companies and gave presentations, but they really seemed to think that I was mad."
Additionally, Kojima is set to collaborate with PlayStation on a "next-generation action espionage game," announced during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This new IP aims to mark a significant milestone in Kojima's career. He expressed, "I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my game production career. I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work." Development will commence once DS2 is completed.
While these projects are still on the horizon, fans can look forward to the imminent release of DS2. Kojima has discussed the game's release date in light of other companies' adjustments due to the delay of GTA 6. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is scheduled to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. For the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article.
