Kojima Confirms Death Stranding 3 Exists, But Won't Develop It

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Death Stranding series, has an intriguing concept for Death Stranding 3 (DS3), but he has made it clear that he will not be the one to bring this idea to life. This revelation sheds light on the expansive potential of Death Stranding 2 (DS2) and hints at what's next in Kojima's creative journey.

Death Stranding 2 Paves the Way for "Endless Sequels"

In a revealing interview with VGC on May 8, Kojima discussed how DS2 introduces the innovative "Plate Gates," a feature that could allow the series to explore different countries and spawn numerous sequels. "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels," Kojima noted, indicating the vast narrative possibilities this mechanism offers.

However, he was quick to clarify his stance on DS3, stating, "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 DS3 may come to fruition, it will be under the guidance of another developer, with Kojima's blessing.

The Pandemic Influences Death Stranding 2's Theme

Kojima also shared how the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the thematic direction of DS2. The original Death Stranding was released in November 2019, just before the world went into lockdown, and its themes of connection and isolation became eerily prescient.

He 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 underscored the game's emphasis on the Chiral Network, which Kojima likened to the internet, noting, "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online." Yet, he also pointed out the internet's role in causing division, with people increasingly turning to the metaverse and reducing real-life 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."

The lockdown experience prompted Kojima to reconsider DS2's narrative, leading him to question the value of excessive connectivity. He hinted that this introspection is reflected in the game's characters and themes, with the strands in the logos symbolizing the shift from "Let’s Connect" in the first game to "We should not have connected" in the sequel.

Future Projects on the Horizon

While Kojima may not helm DS3, he is not slowing down. In December 2023, he and Jordan Peele announced their collaboration on OD (formerly Overdose) at The Game Awards, a project developed with Microsoft Game Studios. Kojima described it as an idea he had been nurturing for years, requiring unique infrastructure that many thought was unfeasible.

Additionally, Kojima is set to work with PlayStation on a new "next-generation action espionage game," announced during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This game will mark a new original IP and serve as a culmination of his 40-year career in game development. "I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my game production career. I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work," Kojima stated, indicating that development will commence once DS2 is finished.

As fans eagerly await DS2, set to launch on June 26, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Kojima continues to push boundaries with his upcoming projects. For the latest updates on Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, be sure to check out our detailed article.