Since his departure from Konami, Hideo Kojima has been flourishing with his studioKojima Productions. ThroughDeath Stranding, he demonstrated that he is capable of shaking up the industry while working independently, butHideo Kojima isn’t done creatingjust yet. There are quite a few projects the studio is busy with, and while none of them are likely to release in 2023, gamers will almost certainly find out more about these projects this year.
Kojima Productionsis expanding theDeath Strandingfranchise with a sequel game and movie. As the release date for these projects draws nearer, more information should be released, though it is likely to be cryptic, as is the case with most of Kojima’s marketing. Gamers can also expect to learn about the Xbox game the studio is busy with. Though Kojima seems very excited about it, gamers know next to nothing about this secret project so far.
RELATED:Death Stranding 2 Marketing Could Be Dialed Back from The Chaos That Was DS1
Death Stranding 2
At The Game Awards 2022, Kojima Productions confirmed thatDeath Stranding 2is on the way. The reveal trailer featuresSam Bridges, although he looks much older. Fragile also makes an appearance, and she is seen rescuing what seems to be an infant version of Lou. A large machine is shown emerging from an expansive body of water, and this suggests that the upcoming game may be taking gamers underwater. According to Kojima, he had written much of the story, but changed everything following the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps most interestingly, whileDeath Strandingwas all about building connections,Death Stranding 2seems to be focused on interrogating the dangers that come with making those connections.
Death Stranding 2has yet to receive a release date, and it would be unwise for gamers to expect the game to release this year. When gamers viewed character artist Frank Aliberti’s ArtStation profile, they noticed thatDeath Stranding 2was listed with a 2024 release date. His profile has since been changed. Though this is not conclusive proof of the game’s release date, it does lend further evidence thatDeath Stranding 2is far more likely to release next year than this year.
Nevertheless, fans can expect to see Kojima continue his cryptic marketing campaign throughout 2023. Last year, he began teasing fans with posters featuring performers such asShioli Kutsuna and Elle Fanning, though it is not yet known what role they will play. It is nearly impossible to predict what direction the enigmaticDeath Stranding 2marketing will go next. If gamers want to find out more, they should tune intoBrain Structure, which is Kojima’s podcast on Spotify.
RELATED:Death Stranding 2’s Soundtrack has Big Shoes to Fill
Death Stranding Movie
The upcoming game isn’t the onlyDeath Stranding-related project Kojima Productions is busy with. There is also aDeath Strandingmovie in the works, which follows the trend of many recent IPs on PlayStation. The movie is being made in collaboration with Alex Lebovici, who is the executive producer of the movieBarbarian. Not much has been revealed about this movie, though Kojima claims it will be revolutionary. According to the auteur, “theDeath Strandingmovie is taking a direction that nobody has tried before with a movie adaptation of a game.” He also claims that it is not a typical blockbuster film, but instead, it will be an arthouse movie.
With no release date announced, and no news regarding any filming, it is highly unlikely that fans will see the film in 2023. However, gamers could find out more about the upcoming move this year, such as potential reveals regarding the cast. In theory, it should be relatively easy to cast for theDeath Strandingmovie, as many of the mocap performers such asNorman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Margeret Qualley are already movie stars.
Kojima Productions' Xbox Game
In 2022, Kojima announced that his studio is busy with an Xbox game that will utilizeMicrosoft’s Xbox cloud technology. He has shown great enthusiasm for the project, and he claims it is something he has wanted to do for a long time, though the necessary technology was never available. According to Kojima, the game will feel like an entirely new medium, and if pulled off correctly, it could revolutionize things “not just in the game industry, but in the movie industry as well.” With no title announced or even a reveal trailer, gamers will likely only see the game after the release ofDeath Stranding 2, though this doesn’t mean that there won’t be more information about the game in 2023.
If industry insider Tom Henderson is to be believed, theproject Kojima Productions is busy with is titledOverdose, and it is a horror game. Henderson also claims that the game features Margaret Qualley and that players will be able to control the game using their mobile phones. None of these leaks have been verified, though Henderson has a track record that has made him a reliable source. It also seems in line with Kojima’s aspirations, as he has shown interest in making a horror title for a long time. Though he briefly had an opportunity withSilent Hills, he left Konami before he had the opportunity to execute on his ideas.
Kojima Productions isn’t a studio known for churning out a great number of games, but it still manages to grab the attention of the gaming world thanks to its ability to provide truly unique experiences.Death Strandingwas a good glimpse of the innovation the studio is capable of, and it appears that developers are interested in taking things to the next level with the upcoming projects. Furthermore, the studio will be embracing the world of film, which is unsurprising, asHideo Kojima is a lifelong movie buff. Though there likely won’t be any new game releases from Kojima Productions this year, games can look forward to plenty of updates regarding the many projects in development.
Death Stranding 2is in development.
MORE:What Death Stranding 2’s Leaked Release Window Means for the Xbox Cloud Game
