As a long-time Kojima fan, few things make my ears perk up faster than the words “Death Stranding 3.” But Kojima’s latest comments aren’t just about another sequel-they signal a seismic shift for the series, and maybe for his own legacy. Before Death Stranding 2: On The Beach even hits shelves, Kojima’s already musing about a third game, but in true Kojima fashion, nothing is ever simple or straightforward.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Kojima Productions |
| Release Date | TBA (Death Stranding 3), June 26, 2025 (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach) |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Science Fiction |
| Platforms | To be announced |
Let’s get into it: Kojima told VGC that a new concept—dubbed “Plate Gates”—introduced in Death Stranding 2 could, in theory, enable infinite sequels. “If I used the Plate Gate concept, I could create an infinite number of sequels,” he said, before adding, “Of course, I don’t intend to do that myself, but I already have a concept for another sequel… If I passed it on to someone else, they could probably make it.”
Here’s what jumps out: Kojima, the ultimate auteur, is talking openly about stepping back from his own creation. If you’ve followed Kojima’s career—Metal Gear drama and all—this is huge. The man is notorious for his hands-on, idiosyncratic approach. But the reality is, Kojima Productions is now spinning a lot of plates (no pun intended): a cryptic horror project (OD) for Xbox, a next-gen stealth game for PlayStation, and even a film. For the first time, it feels like Kojima’s legacy IP might actually live beyond his direct involvement.
The “Plate Gates” themselves are still mysterious. Based on the snippets and trailers, some speculate they’re portals or traversal nodes—possibly letting players move quickly between far-flung locations. If that’s true, it could be a game-changer: imagine a Death Stranding game where the world feels even more interconnected, or where sequels can leap to wildly different settings (the teasers mention Mexico and Australia). Kojima’s always been about breaking conventions, but making Death Stranding a platform for “infinite” sequels? That’s both compelling and a little concerning.
As a fan, I can’t help but wonder: will a Death Stranding not helmed by Kojima have the same weird, experimental soul? Part of the original’s appeal was its unapologetic weirdness—the long walks, the cryptic symbolism, the sense of isolation and hope. If the series becomes a hand-me-down, can it hold onto that identity, or will it go the way of so many franchises stretched thin by endless sequels?
For gamers, this is a double-edged sword. On one hand, Death Stranding has the bones to become a lasting, evolving franchise—one that could outlive its creator, much like Metal Gear did (for better or worse). On the other, handing the keys to someone else is always risky. Will a new director double down on the oddball vibes, or sand down the edges for mainstream appeal? Knowing Kojima’s track record, he’ll want to pass the torch to someone who “gets it,” but there’s no guarantee.
TL;DR: Kojima’s already dreaming about Death Stranding 3, powered by a mysterious “Plate Gates” system that could let the series run forever. But with the legendary auteur stepping back, the future of Death Stranding is as uncertain—and as full of weird potential—as ever. For fans, that’s both thrilling and a little nerve-wracking. Here’s hoping the next generation of directors can keep the soul of the series intact, even as the world—and the gates—expand.
Source: Kojima Productions via GamesPress