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

Video games have long transcended the realm of mere action and adrenaline-pumping experiences. Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear Solid series, introduced a profound exploration of division and connection with Death Stranding. Released in a pre-pandemic world, the game's highly conceptual narrative and innovative delivery-focused movement mechanics opened up new avenues for gaming. Now, with the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, set to launch on June 26, 2025, Kojima delves deeper into the question: "Should we have connected?" As societal divisions continue to widen, we sought to understand Kojima's stance on this theme as he crafted the sequel's story.

The development of Death Stranding 2 took place amidst the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. This unique context forced Kojima to reevaluate the concept of "connection." How did he reconstruct this theme while grappling with his understanding of technology, production environments, and the nature of human relationships?

In an exclusive interview, Kojima shares his philosophical approach to the game's production. He discusses what elements from the original game were left behind and which were carried forward into the sequel. Additionally, he reflects on contemporary society and its intricate relationship with his games.