Rumors and speculations about what will come next from legendary director Hideo Kojima have surfaced yet again. From reports about a collaboration with Xbox to rumors about his involvement with Blue Box studios' upcoming PS5 exclusive horror game Abandoned, and now Norman Reedus' comments about a plausible Death Stranding sequel, the ball seems to be rolling in multiple directions simultaneously.
For an independent studio with just over 100 employees, it seems Kojima Productions has a lot on its plate. Expecting it to churn out multiple games in close proximity seems a bit absurd though, despite Kojima suggesting they are working on several smaller projects alongside its next big AAA title – which could very likely be a Death Stranding sequel.
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Death Stranding 2 and Kojima's Xbox Game Announcement Could Come Simultaneously
Kojima Productions' release pattern indicates a big AAA release every three-to-four years, though this is likely to change given the current work-from-home situation. Death Stranding launched in 2019, and as such, the studio's next AAA title should presumably be out by 2022 or 2023. Given how Kojima likes to tease games for years with crpytic trailers, a reveal in 2021 seems likely. The biggest question, however, is what Kojima's next game will be.
Norman Reedus, who plays the protagonist Sam Bridges in Death Stranding, believes that Death Stranding 2 is happening. Reedus spilling the beans on a potential Death Stranding sequel just days after Kojima Productions revealed a hefty gameplay trailer for Death Stranding: Director's Cut seems more than just a coincidence.
The upcoming PS5-exclusive Director's Cut version of Death Stranding is more than just a remaster of the original, as it adds new gameplay maneuvers and story missions beyond of visual enhancements. Such an upgrade paints an intriguing picture and reflects the company's dedication to introducing and investing players into this universe, which in turn strengthens the possibility of Death Stranding 2. In fact, Death Stranding: Director's Cut could add a post-credits scene that teases a sequel in some way. Reedus' comment, Death Stranding: Director's Cut, and Kojima's own statements on expanding the 'Strand' genre suggest a Death Stranding 2 is inevitable, though this puts Kojima's rumored Xbox game in a precarious position.
Kojima Productions is an independent studio, and it can release exclusive games for both the PlayStation and Xbox brands. Kojima Productions has yet to tease a collaboration with Xbox, though a report from notable game journalist Jeff Grubb seems like a solid confirmation of the existence for such a partnership. Kojima's cloud-based Xbox game could be one of the smaller projects that he mentioned earlier, which means it could possibly release before the company shifts its attention toward the next big AAA game.
This next AAA game from Kojima Productions could be Death Stranding 2, which presumably would be pretty early in development at this point. Given how Kojima would likely want to start Death Stranding 2 from scratch, it could be a while before fans get their hands on it. However, this doesn't mean that an announcement couldn't happen anytime soon. Death Stranding was announced before the game entered full production, and Kojima Productions could pull off the same move with a subsequent entry.
Thus, Kojima Productions could be announcing its next game soon. In the latest Death Stranding: Director's Cut trailer, there is a Moby Dick reference at the end, which has become Kojima's unique way to announce a brand-new game. Kojima's Xbox deal is reportedly set to be publicized before the end of the year, so it could be the first announced. If it is indeed a small project and not a big AAA open-world game, then it is likely to release first as well.
As for Kojima and PlayStation, head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst recently acknowledged PlayStation's years-long partnership with Kojima Productions, possibly indicating another collaboration. But with the looming shadow of Kojima's Xbox game, many fans may think that Death Stranding 2 is in an awkward state, and perhaps Reedus' and Hulst's comments were made to combat that. This could also be followed with a sequel's announcement, even if Death Stranding 2 is still a few years down the line.
Death Stranding is now available on PC and PS4.
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