Hideo Kojima on How COVID-19 Influenced Death Stranding 2's Themes

In a recent interview with WIRED, legendary video game designer Hideo Kojima revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered his vision for the highly anticipated sequel to his acclaimed game, Death Stranding 2. Set for release on PlayStation on June 26, 2025, the game explores profound themes of connection and isolation, mirroring societal shifts prompted by the pandemic.

Kojima's original concept for Death Stranding, released in late 2019, centered around the idea of connecting people in a world increasingly divided by political and social strife. "The theme, the story, and the gameplay of the first chapter all revolved around the idea of connectivity," stated Kojima. However, the onset of the pandemic just three months after the game's release prompted him to rethink this narrative. "After going through that experience, I felt something wasn’t right, and I rewrote it," he explained.

The gameplay in Death Stranding 2 delves into the complexities of human interaction in a digitally connected yet physically isolated world. As Kojima articulated, the pandemic highlighted the limitations of virtual connection, stating, "Communication between human beings shouldn’t be like that. You meet people by chance and see unexpected things. With the path we were on, all of that would be lost."

This sequel will showcase a more action-oriented gameplay style while still retaining the core themes of the original. Kojima emphasized that players would have more freedom to choose their paths, whether through combat or connection, reflecting the duality of the current social landscape. "In the end, connecting with the rope isn’t the solution to everything," he noted, indicating a narrative shift that addresses the complexities of modern relationships.

The game also incorporates thematic elements of loss and mourning, influenced by Kojima's personal experiences during the pandemic. He stated, "It comes from within, so I’d say it’s half based on real experiences I’ve had and half from fiction. It comes from a very intimate place, from thoughts like a sense of loneliness and the mystery of where the dead go."

In terms of technological advancements, the transition from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 has enabled the development team to enhance both the gameplay mechanics and the narrative structure.