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

Hideo Kojima has already conceptualized what could become *Death Stranding 3*, but it won’t be under his direction. Read on to learn how *Death Stranding 2* opens the door for multiple sequels, and what’s next for the visionary game designer.

Death Stranding 3 May Not Be Under Kojima’s Lead

Death Stranding 2 Makes Way For "Endless Sequels"

In a recent interview with VGC on May 8, *Death Stranding 2* director Hideo Kojima confirmed that he already has a concept in mind for *Death Stranding 3*. However, he made it clear that he does not plan to lead its development himself. The idea stems from a new gameplay mechanic introduced in *Death Stranding 2*: the “Plate Gates.” These allow for potential expansions of the series into different global settings, opening the door for numerous follow-ups.

Kojima explained, "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels." While he won’t be personally developing them, he hinted that if someone else were to take over the concept, they could bring additional entries to life. This suggests that while fans may not see a Kojima-led sequel anytime soon, the universe is ripe for continuation by other creative teams under his initial framework.

The Pandemic Changed Death Stranding 2’s Theme

Kojima also shared insights into how the global pandemic altered the thematic direction of *Death Stranding 2*. The first installment launched in November 2019—just months before the world went into lockdown. Originally centered around themes of connection during a time of rising isolation and division (such as Brexit), the message of the game took on unexpected relevance.

He reflected, "The world was heading towards isolation and division... 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."

When the pandemic hit, Kojima observed how the real-world reliance on digital networks mirrored the Chiral Network in the game. He noted that the internet allowed people to stay connected during lockdowns, yet paradoxically also became a source of further human fragmentation.

He added, "We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online... However, the same Internet is now the cause of division for humanity. 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."

This realization influenced the tone shift in *Death Stranding 2*. While the original focused on the need for connection, the sequel explores the consequences of being too connected. Kojima teased, "Maybe it’s not such a good thing to connect so much," with the game's logo symbolism reflecting this evolution—from “Let’s Connect” to “We should not have connected.”

More Projects To Come

Despite stepping back from future *Death Stranding* titles, Kojima remains deeply involved in several high-profile projects. In December 2023, he unveiled his upcoming game OD (formerly known as Overdose) alongside Jordan Peele at The Game Awards. This collaboration with Microsoft Game Studios represents an ambitious vision that Kojima has nurtured for nearly half a decade.

He recalled, "The project required infrastructure that was never needed before... They really seemed to think that I was mad." Now with the right support, the game is finally moving forward.

Additionally, Kojima announced a brand-new original IP during PlayStation’s State of Play in January 2024—an action espionage title described as a full-circle moment in his career. 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." Development will begin after *Death Stranding 2* launches.

While those titles are still in the distance, fans can look forward to *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach*, set for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. As anticipation builds, stay tuned for more updates and details about the game and Kojima’s expanding creative ventures.