Kojima Reckoned You'd Either Love or Hate Death Stranding – And He Was Bloody Right
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Turns out Kojima knew *Death Stranding* would split the room like a poorly aimed grenade, and honestly, that's kind of the point. Good on him for sticking to his weird guns and giving us something truly unique, even if it involved a lot of walking.
Hideo Kojima, the mad genius behind *Death Stranding*, always knew his weird and wonderful post-apocalyptic delivery simulator would be divisive. Speaking in a recent interview, Kojima admitted he anticipated a love-it-or-hate-it reaction to the game, predicting scores would either be a perfect 10 or a dismal zero. Seems about right, doesn't it?
As reported by Game Rant, this revelation comes on the heels of the success of *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. Despite facing development challenges during the pandemic – which, let's be honest, felt like its own *Death Stranding*-esque scenario – the sequel has been met with critical acclaim. Good on 'em.
Kojima further elaborated on his willingness to take creative risks, stating, "If there is no risk, there won't be any good things that would be born.” Fair dinkum. He also emphasized that he listens to all feedback, not just the praise, which is a rare and commendable quality in the sometimes ego-driven world of game development. He even addressed the, uh, *unique* ways some players have used *Death Stranding's* photo mode (we won't go into detail, but it involves bypassing age verification – cheeky buggers!).
When quizzed about *why* he made a sequel, Kojima’s answer was brilliantly blunt: "It's my IP. *Death Stranding* is actually my IP, Kojima Productions’ IP. I wanted to leave my IP in the future.” Can’t argue with that, mate. If you own it, why not expand on it, especially when you've got a world as intriguing (and baffling) as *Death Stranding's*?
Adding fuel to the speculative fire, Sandfall Interactive, the developers of *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, recently visited Kojima Productions, sparking rumors of a possible crossover. Both games boast stunning visuals and unusual storylines, so a collaboration *could* be pretty special. Although, whether or not we need even *more* existential dread in our gaming lives is debatable.
So, what’s next for Kojima? Aside from *Death Stranding 2’s* continued success, he's currently working on *OD*, a horror game, and *Physint*. And let’s not forget the live-action *Death Stranding* movie being developed by A24. Michael Sarnoski, director of *A Quiet Place: Day One*, is slated to direct, with a potential release window in 2027. That's ages away! But hey, good things come to those who wait… probably.
Ultimately, *Death Stranding's* legacy seems secure. It's a game that dared to be different, even if that difference involved delivering packages across a bleak landscape while battling invisible monsters and existential angst. And you know what? The gaming world is better for it.
Tags: Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima, Kojima Productions, Game Development, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant