Hideo Kojima on Death Stranding 2: 'Thrilled to Complete the Game'

Video games have evolved far beyond mere action-packed adventures, and Hideo Kojima's groundbreaking work on Death Stranding introduced themes of division and connection in a pre-pandemic world. Its highly conceptual narrative and innovative delivery-centric movement mechanics opened up new avenues for gaming experiences. Now, with the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, set to release on June 26, 2025, Kojima delves deeper into these themes, challenging players with the question: "Should we have connected?" As societal divisions continue to widen, we explore Kojima's perspective on crafting this narrative under the shadow of growing global divides.

The development of Death Stranding 2 unfolded amidst the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. This period forced Kojima to re-evaluate the concept of "connection," prompting a reconstruction of his understanding of technology, production environments, and the intricate nature of human relationships. How did these experiences shape his vision for the sequel, and what insights did he gain about connectivity in our increasingly fragmented world?

In this exclusive interview, Hideo Kojima shares his philosophical approach to the game's production. He discusses what elements from the original Death Stranding were left behind and which were carried forward into Death Stranding 2. Additionally, Kojima reflects on contemporary society and its evolving relationship with his games, offering a glimpse into how real-world events have influenced his creative process.