Hideo Kojima has a vision for Death Stranding 3, but he won't be the one to bring it to life. Dive into the details on how Death Stranding 2 could pave the way for multiple sequels and what lies ahead for Kojima's creative journey.

Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead

In a revealing interview with VGC on May 8, Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2 (DS2), shared that he has conceptualized a potential Death Stranding 3. However, he firmly stated that he will not be involved in its development. Kojima highlighted the "Plate Gates" feature introduced in DS2, which could enable the series to explore different countries and spawn numerous sequels. He remarked, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels." Despite this, he clarified, "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, the franchise could continue with his blessing under new leadership.

The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme

Kojima also discussed how the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the thematic direction of DS2. Released just before the world went into lockdown in November 2019, the original Death Stranding emphasized connectivity and unity. 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 mirrored the game's themes, with the Chiral Network symbolizing the internet's role in keeping people connected. Kojima noted, "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online." However, he also pointed out the internet's role in fostering division, as people increasingly turn to virtual realities like the metaverse, reducing real-life interactions. He 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."

The lockdown experience led Kojima to reconsider the value of connectivity, prompting a thematic shift in DS2. He shared, "Maybe it’s not such a good thing to connect so much," a sentiment reflected through one of the game's characters. The strands in the game's logos hint at these 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 Kojima may not helm the next Death Stranding game, his creative endeavors extend beyond the series. 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 work with PlayStation on a "next-generation action espionage game," announced during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This new IP will mark a significant milestone, as Kojima 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." Development will commence once DS2 is completed.

While these projects are on the horizon, fans can look forward to the imminent release of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, set for June 26, 2025, on PlayStation 5. Stay updated with the latest on the game by checking out our dedicated Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!