Death Stranding 3 Exists But Kojima Won't Make It

Hideo Kojima has revealed 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 multiple sequels and what's on the horizon for Kojima's future projects.

Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind Death Stranding 2 (DS2), shared that he has a concept ready for Death Stranding 3, yet he has no intention of directing it himself. In a candid interview with VGC on May 8, Kojima disclosed that DS2 introduces "Plate Gates," a feature that could allow the series to expand into various countries and spawn numerous sequels. He stated, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels." However, he 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." Thus, while fans may not see a Kojima-directed sequel soon, other developers might carry the torch with his blessing.

The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the thematic direction of DS2. Released just before the world entered lockdown in November 2019, the first Death Stranding game focused on the theme of connectivity amidst growing isolation. Kojima reflected, "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."

As the pandemic unfolded, Kojima saw a real-world parallel to the game's Chiral Network, akin to the internet, which he believed saved humanity during the lockdown. However, he also noted the internet's role in fostering division and a shift towards the metaverse, which he feels detracts from genuine human interaction. "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," he emphasized.

The experience led Kojima to reconsider the theme of DS2, shifting from "Let’s Connect" to "We should not have connected." This nuanced perspective is hinted at through the strands in the game's logos, reflecting the evolving narrative. "When you really start thinking about what it means to connect, you start to wonder… That’s all I’ll say for now," Kojima teased.

More Projects To Come

Even though Kojima may not helm the next Death Stranding game, his creative pipeline remains robust. In December 2023, he unveiled OD (formerly Overdose) alongside Jordan Peele at The Game Awards 2023, developed 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 for a new "next-generation action espionage game," a brand-new original IP unveiled during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024. This project marks a significant milestone for Kojima, who 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 after DS2's completion.

While these ambitious projects are still on the horizon, fans won't have to wait long for new content as DS2, titled "Death Stranding 2: On The Beach," is slated for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5. Keep an eye on our comprehensive guide for the latest updates on Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.