Hideo Kojima already has an idea for Death Stranding 3, but he will not work on it. Read on to learn more about how Death Stranding 2 could produce multiple sequels and what’s in store for Kojima’s future.
Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead
In a fascinating twist, Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind Death Stranding 2 (DS2), has revealed that he already has a concept for Death Stranding 3. However, he won't be the one to bring it to life. During an insightful interview with VGC on May 8, Kojima discussed how a unique feature from DS2, the "Plate Gates," could pave the way for endless sequels. These gates would allow the series to explore different countries, opening up a world of possibilities for the franchise.
Kojima explained, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels." Yet, he swiftly clarified that he has no intention of working on Death Stranding 3 himself. He added, "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 might see a sequel to the series, but it won't be under Kojima's directorial helm.
The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the thematic direction of Death Stranding 2. Released just months before the world entered lockdown in November 2019, the original game focused on themes of connection and unity. Kojima shared, "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 Internet. He noted, "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online." However, he also pointed out a darker side, where the same Internet has contributed to division and a shift towards the metaverse, reducing real human interactions.
Kojima reflected on these changes, stating, "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." This realization led him to reconsider the theme of DS2. Initially centered around connectivity, he questioned, "Maybe it’s not such a good thing to connect so much." This shift in perspective is reflected in one of the game's characters and the evolution of the series' logo, moving from "Let’s Connect" to "We should not have connected."
More Projects To Come
Even though Kojima may not lead the next installment in the Death Stranding series, his creative journey is far from over. In December 2023, he and filmmaker Jordan Peele announced their new game, OD (formerly Overdose), during The Game Awards 2023. This ambitious project is being developed in collaboration with Microsoft Game Studios. Kojima revealed, "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 game will be a brand-new original IP. Reflecting on his career, 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." The development of this new game will begin once DS2 is completed.
While these new projects are on the horizon, fans won't have to wait too long for more from Kojima. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is slated for release on June 26, 2025, on PlayStation 5. Stay updated with the latest information on the game by checking out our Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!
