Hideo Kojima has an intriguing concept for Death Stranding 3, but he won't be the one to bring it to life. Dive deeper into how Death Stranding 2 could pave the way for numerous sequels and what the future holds for Kojima's creative endeavors.

Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead

In a recent interview with VGC on May 8, Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2 (DS2), revealed that he has already conceptualized what could become Death Stranding 3. However, he made it clear that he won't be personally involved in its development. Kojima pointed to the "Plate Gates" feature set to debut in DS2, which could enable the series to explore different countries and generate endless sequels. "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels," he explained. Despite this potential, Kojima firmly 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." While fans might not see a Kojima-directed Death Stranding 3, the door remains open for other developers to 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 in November 2019, just before widespread lockdowns, the original Death Stranding emphasized connectivity amidst a world drifting towards isolation and division. 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, mirroring the game's narrative, highlighted the crucial role of connectivity, akin to the Chiral Network in the game, which Kojima likened to the internet. "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online," he said. Yet, he acknowledged the internet's double-edged nature, fostering division and reducing genuine human interactions as people increasingly turn to the metaverse. "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 reflected.

Prompted by these observations, Kojima reconsidered DS2's initial concept, questioning the value of excessive connectivity. This shift in perspective is reflected through one of the game's characters. The strands in the logos of both games hint at their themes: the first game's message of "Let’s Connect," contrasted with the sequel's cautionary note, "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 might not lead the development of Death Stranding 3, his creative pipeline remains robust. In December 2023, he and filmmaker Jordan Peele unveiled their new project, OD (formerly Overdose), at The Game Awards 2023, in collaboration 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 partner with PlayStation on a "next-generation action espionage game," announced during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This new IP marks a significant milestone for Kojima, as he stated, "I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my game production career. I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work." The development of this game will commence once DS2 is completed.

Though these projects are on the horizon, fans won't have to wait long for more from Kojima, as DS2, titled Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, is slated for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Stay updated on the latest developments with our dedicated Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!