Hideo Kojima: 'Thrilled to Complete Death Stranding 2: On the Beach'

Video games have long transcended mere action-packed thrillers, and Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding masterfully explored the themes of division and connection in a pre-pandemic world. With its innovative delivery-focused mechanics and a deeply conceptual narrative, it opened up new avenues in gaming. Now, with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach set to release on June 26, 2025, Kojima delves deeper into the same question, albeit in a more intricate manner: "Should we have connected?" As societal divides continue to widen, we're keen to understand the stance Kojima has taken in crafting this sequel's story.

The development of Death Stranding 2 took place under the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced Kojima to re-evaluate the essence of "connection." How did he reimagine this concept while grappling with his views on technology, production settings, and the dynamics of human relationships?

In this exclusive interview, Kojima sheds light on the philosophy that guided the production of the game. He discusses elements from the original Death Stranding that have been carried forward into the sequel, as well as how contemporary societal issues are reflected in his work.