Hideo Kojima has already cooked up a concept for Death Stranding 3, but he’s made it clear he won’t be the one making it. With so many projects on his plate, including the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for PlayStation 5, Kojima focuses elsewhere while leaving the door open for others to take the reins on the next sequel.
The legendary creator, known for Metal Gear, shared in a recent chat with VGC that the new game’s “Plate Gate” concept could let future Death Stranding titles look at different countries worldwide. He said, “If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels.” But he’s not planning to do that himself. Instead, he’s got a concept ready that someone else could bring to life.
It’s interesting how Kojima’s thoughts on connection and isolation evolved, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The first Death Stranding was all about connecting people to avoid disaster. Then the pandemic hit, and the game’s themes suddenly felt eerily accurate. Kojima explained how the internet, like the game’s Chiral Network, helped people survive lockdowns but also created new divides.
He pointed out how remote work and online streaming replaced face-to-face interactions, making everything feel too virtual. Kojima worries this shift might be a step in the wrong direction, saying, “Communication between human beings is not meant to be this way.” He’s concerned about losing those spontaneous moments when you meet people or see unexpected sights in real life.
Interestingly, Kojima rewrote the story for Death Stranding 2 after the pandemic started. The tagline, “We should not have connected,” flips the original game’s message. He hinted that the game’s logo and characters hold clues about this new perspective on connection, teasing players to think deeply about what it means to be connected.
With Kojima juggling multiple projects, including a new Xbox game and a movie, it makes sense he’s stepping back from directing the next Death Stranding. But knowing he’s left a concept behind means the series might continue in fresh hands, possibly exploring new places and ideas through the Plate Gate mechanic.
What do you think about Kojima’s take on connection and isolation? Are you curious how Death Stranding 3 could go with a new director? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
