Video games have evolved far beyond mere action-packed thrill rides. Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear Solid series, introduced a profound exploration of division and connection with Death Stranding, set in a pre-pandemic world. The game's innovative narrative structure and unique delivery-focused movement mechanics opened up new avenues for gaming experiences.

In the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, set to release on June 26, 2025, Kojima delves deeper into the question: "Should we have connected?" As societal divisions continue to widen, we sought to understand Kojima's stance on this theme as he crafted the story for the sequel.

The development of Death Stranding 2 took place amidst the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. This unique context forced Kojima to re-evaluate the concept of "connection." How did he reshape his understanding of technology, production environments, and the essence of human relationships in light of these global changes?

In this exclusive interview, Kojima shares his philosophical approach to the game's production. He discusses elements from the original game that have been carried forward into the sequel, as well as how contemporary societal issues have influenced his creative process.