Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Death Stranding series, has revealed intriguing details about the future of this franchise and his other upcoming projects. While he has a concept for Death Stranding 3, he has no plans to develop it himself. Let's delve into how Death Stranding 2 might pave the way for multiple sequels and what lies ahead for Kojima's creative journey.
Death Stranding 2 Makes Way For "Endless Sequels"
In an insightful interview with VGC on May 8, Hideo Kojima shared that the upcoming Death Stranding 2 (DS2) introduces a concept called "Plate Gates." These gates could allow the series to expand into different countries, potentially leading to an endless array of sequels. Kojima explained, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels."
However, he quickly clarified that he won't be the one to bring this potential third installment to life. "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," he stated. This means fans might see a Death Stranding 3, but it won't be under Kojima's directorship.
The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme
The global situation has significantly influenced the themes of Death Stranding 2. Initially released in November 2019, the first game's themes of connection and isolation were eerily prescient as the world entered lockdown just months later. Kojima noted, "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 mirrored the game's emphasis on the Chiral Network, which Kojima likened to the real-world Internet. "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online," he remarked. However, he also highlighted a darker side to this connectivity. With the rise of the metaverse and increased screen time, he fears that genuine human interactions are diminishing. "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," Kojima emphasized.
This shift in perspective prompted Kojima to rethink DS2's narrative. "Maybe it’s not such a good thing to connect so much," he pondered. This introspection is reflected in one of the game's characters and the thematic shift from the first game's "Let’s Connect" to the sequel's "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
While Kojima may not lead the development of Death Stranding 3, his creative endeavors are far from over. In December 2023, he unveiled OD (formerly Overdose) at The Game Awards, collaborating with comedian and filmmaker Jordan Peele and Microsoft Game Studios. "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," Kojima shared.
Additionally, Kojima is set to work with PlayStation on a "next-generation action espionage game," announced during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This new title marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of his game production career. "I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work," he stated, with development set to begin after the completion of DS2.
While these projects are still on the horizon, fans won't have to wait long for more from Kojima. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is slated for release on June 26, 2025, on PlayStation 5. For the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!
