Hideo Kojima has an intriguing idea for Death Stranding 3, but he won't be the one to bring it to life. Delve deeper into how Death Stranding 2 could pave the way for numerous sequels and what lies ahead for Kojima's creative journey.
Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead
Death Stranding 2 Makes Way For "Endless Sequels"
In an insightful interview with VGC on May 8, Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2 (DS2), shared that he has a concept for Death Stranding 3 but will not be involved in its development. He highlighted a pivotal element from DS2, the "Plate Gates," which could enable the series to explore different countries and potentially spawn "endless sequels." Kojima elaborated, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels."
However, he made it clear that he has no intention of directing Death Stranding 3 himself. He stated, "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 means fans won't see a Kojima-directed sequel soon, but the door is open for other developers to carry on with his blessing.
The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme
Kojima also touched upon how the global situation influenced the thematic direction of DS2. Launched in November 2019, just before the world entered lockdown, the original Death Stranding focused on connectivity amidst growing isolation and division. 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 subsequent global health crisis mirrored the game's emphasis on the Chiral Network, likened by Kojima to the real-world Internet. "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online," he remarked. Yet, he pointed out a paradox: the same Internet that connected us during the crisis is now fostering division as society leans into the metaverse, reducing authentic human interactions.
Kojima reflected, "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."
Initially set on a different path, Kojima felt compelled to revise DS2 after the pandemic. He questioned the value of excessive connectivity, a theme that he felt deeply during the lockdown and is reflected in one of the game's characters. The logos of the games hint at their themes, with the first game advocating "Let’s Connect," while the sequel suggests "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 stepping back from directing a potential Death Stranding 3, Kojima is not slowing down. In December 2023, he and filmmaker Jordan Peele announced their upcoming game OD (formerly Overdose) at The Game Awards 2023, developed 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 will be a new original IP. Reflecting on his career, Kojima said, "I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my game production career. I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work." This project will commence after the completion of DS2.
These future endeavors are on the horizon, but fans can look forward to Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, slated for release on June 26, 2025, on PlayStation 5. Stay updated with the latest on the game by checking out our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!
