The COVID-19 pandemic made Hideo Kojima change Death Stranding 2

Kojima had already begun writing Death Stranding 2's narrative before the pandemic hit, but he found himself revisiting the drawing board when the world started mirroring the dystopian themes of his game. The tale of Sam Porter Bridges, who is a courier helping to rebuild a fragmented society, resonated eerily with the heightened importance of delivery services. But, the pandemic-induced reality rendered the previous interpretation of 'strand' in the game inadequate, necessitating a significant rewrite of the game's script.

The first Death Stranding was rich in linguistic wordplay and layered meanings of the word 'strand'. From symbolizing the shore of a beach to implying abandonment, and even defining the game's genre as a "strand-type game", the word served as a multifaceted metaphor.

The sequel promises to continue this linguistic exploration, yet with a focus on redefining what the genre represents in a post-pandemic world.

Beyond the thematic pivot, Kojima revealed plans to experiment with music in Death Stranding 2, promising to venture into areas yet untouched in gaming and cinema. The aim, as with the first installment, is to continue pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territories in gameplay and narrative.

Adding to the excitement, Kojima also offered some insights into the much-anticipated Death Stranding movie announced last December. The film, although derivative of the game, will be an entirely different entity, with Kojima coming aboard in a supervisory role. The movie is set to introduce new characters and might potentially exclude the game's protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges.

With the pandemic serving as an unexpected muse, Kojima's imaginative reinterpretation of "strand" and "connection" has further amplified anticipation for Death Stranding 2. As we await its release, one thing is certain: Kojima is not holding back in his mission to use this sequel as a platform for exploring our changing understanding of connection in a rapidly evolving world.

If the first game was any indication, Death Stranding 2 will be another captivating work from Kojima, an auteur who is no stranger to blurring the boundaries between fiction, reality, and the manifold spaces in between.

Aside from Death Stranding 2, Kojima is working on a game with Xbox and another presumably unannounced title.