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

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Death Stranding series, has revealed intriguing details about the future of the franchise and his upcoming projects. While fans eagerly await the release of Death Stranding 2, Kojima has already conceptualized a potential Death Stranding 3 but has no intention of directing it himself.

Death Stranding 2 Paves the Way for "Endless Sequels"

In a recent interview with VGC on May 8, Kojima discussed how Death Stranding 2 (DS2) could lead to numerous sequels. He introduced the concept of "Plate Gates," which will allow the series to expand into different countries, potentially creating an endless array of follow-ups. "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels," Kojima explained. Despite this, 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." This suggests that while Kojima has ideas for the series' future, he's ready to pass the torch to other developers.

The Pandemic Influenced Death Stranding 2’s Theme

Kojima also shared how the COVID-19 pandemic, which began shortly after the first game's release in November 2019, significantly impacted the thematic direction of DS2. Originally, the game's theme was about connection, reflecting the world's growing isolation and division. "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," Kojima stated.

The pandemic underscored the importance of connectivity, mirroring the game's Chiral Network, which Kojima likened to the Internet. "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online," he noted. However, he also pointed out the divisive nature of the Internet today, with a growing reliance on the metaverse leading to less real-world interaction. This realization prompted Kojima to reconsider the theme of DS2, shifting from "Let’s Connect" to "We should not have connected," as symbolized by the strands in the game's logos.

More Projects on the Horizon

While stepping back from directing Death Stranding 3, Kojima is not slowing down. In December 2023, he unveiled OD (formerly Overdose), a new project in collaboration with Microsoft Game Studios and filmmaker Jordan Peele, announced at The Game Awards 2023. Kojima described this project as something he's been contemplating for years, requiring unprecedented infrastructure.

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 new IP marks a significant milestone for Kojima, as he aims to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his game production career. "I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work," he stated, indicating that development will begin post-DS2 completion.

As fans eagerly await these future projects, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is slated for release on June 26, 2025, on PlayStation 5. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated sequel and Kojima's other ventures.