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

Hideo Kojima has an intriguing concept for Death Stranding 3, but fans will need to temper their expectations as he won't be the one to bring it to life. Delve into how Death Stranding 2 could pave the way for numerous sequels and what lies ahead in 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 visionary behind Death Stranding 2 (DS2), shared his vision for the franchise's future. He disclosed that he already has a concept for Death Stranding 3, but he won't be the one to develop it. Kojima introduced the "Plate Gates" in DS2, a feature that could enable the series to expand across different countries, potentially leading to an endless series of sequels. He stated, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels."

However, Kojima was quick to clarify his role, saying, "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 Kojima may step away from directing the next installment, he's open to other developers taking the helm with his guidance.

The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme

Kojima also reflected on 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 the importance of connectivity. 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 reinforced the game's theme, as Kojima noted the crucial role the Internet played in keeping people connected. Yet, he also highlighted a shift in his perspective, observing, "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online," but he also acknowledged the current divide caused by the same technology, with an increasing focus on the metaverse and less on real-world interactions.

Kojima's evolving view led him to reconsider DS2's narrative, musing, "Maybe it’s not such a good thing to connect so much." This shift in theme is subtly reflected in the game's design and character development, with the strands in the logos hinting at the underlying message. While the first game's logo symbolized "Let’s Connect," DS2's suggests, "We should not have connected." Kojima concluded, "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 lead the development of Death Stranding 3, his creative endeavors continue to expand. In December 2023, he and filmmaker Jordan Peele unveiled their upcoming game, 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 announced a partnership with PlayStation to develop a "next-generation action espionage game" during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This new original IP will mark a significant milestone in his career, 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 project will begin development once DS2 is completed.

While these exciting 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. Keep up with the latest updates on the game by checking out our detailed article on Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.