Will We Get Death Stranding 3? Here’s What Hideo Kojima Has to Say

TL;DR

  • Death Stranding 2’s mid-credits scene establishes Tomorrow as the likely protagonist for DS3
  • Hideo Kojima confirmed having a concept for Death Stranding 3 but won’t direct it himself
  • Plate Gates introduce revolutionary mechanics enabling infinite sequel possibilities across continents
  • Kojima Productions is focused on OD and Physint, delaying DS3 development timeline
  • The franchise could explore new gameplay systems while maintaining core delivery mechanics

Following numerous production delays exacerbated by global circumstances, Death Stranding 2 has emerged as a critically acclaimed sequel that leaves players contemplating the franchise’s future trajectory. The game concludes with a revealing mid-credits sequence that functions similarly to post-credit scenes in cinematic universes, offering crucial narrative breadcrumbs about where the series might venture next.

Elle Fanning in death stranding 3
Image Credit: Kojima Productions and PlayStation (via in-game screenshot by Ajithkumar/Beebom)

The sequence unfolds in a landscape where nature has dramatically reclaimed civilization, suggesting significant temporal progression since the events of the main storyline. While geographical specifics remain ambiguous, environmental clues indicate this isn’t the familiar Australian continent from previous games. The DHV Magellan vessel now appears as a historical relic, emphasizing the passage of substantial time.

We witness Tomorrow, portrayed by Elle Fanning, now matured and wearing the distinctive porter uniform that symbolizes the series’ core themes. She’s positioned adjacent to a Plate Gate structure—a revolutionary transportation mechanism introduced in the sequel that enables interdimensional travel between landmasses. Her dialogue expresses profound appreciation for the porter profession while she reviews photographic mementos revealing positive outcomes for beloved characters, including Rainy embracing motherhood.

The scene’s pivotal moment occurs when Tomorrow rises and approaches the Plate Gate, strongly implying her impending departure on an expedition to uncharted territories. This visual narrative strongly suggests that Death Stranding 3 would feature Elle Fanning’s character as the central protagonist, continuing her father Sam’s legacy while forging her own path.

This cinematic conclusion aligns perfectly with pre-release statements from the game’s visionary director, which we’ll examine in the following section.

Prior to Death Stranding: On the Beach’s launch, Hideo Kojima disclosed in his VGC interview that he has already developed a conceptual framework for Death Stranding 3. This revelation confirms that narrative and gameplay foundations for continuing the saga exist beyond what players witnessed in the sequel’s conclusion.

Hideo Kojima
Image Courtesy: (X/@KojiPro2015_EN)

The introduction of Plate Gates within Death Stranding 2 represents a masterstroke of world-building that enables virtually limitless sequel opportunities. These interdimensional portals facilitate travel between continents, creating narrative possibilities comparable to established franchises like Battlefield’s class systems in terms of expandability. “By implementing this Plate Gate concept, I could theoretically produce endless sequels,” Kojima remarked during the discussion.

However, the acclaimed auteur clarified that he doesn’t intend to personally oversee multiple sequels. Instead, he has prepared the conceptual blueprint for one additional installment—Death Stranding 3. Kojima explicitly confirmed he will not direct the Death Stranding 3 project, potentially influenced by considerations about his creative longevity. He expressed confidence in transferring creative leadership to another director who could continue the franchise in future years.

“Naturally, I have no immediate intentions to pursue this path, but the conceptual foundation for another sequel already exists. While I won’t personally develop it, if I delegated this concept to another creative team, they could likely execute it successfully.”

This approach mirrors how successful franchises like Battlefield’s evolving development teams maintain continuity while introducing fresh perspectives.

Currently, neither Kojima nor Kojima Productions representatives have announced concrete development plans for the third Death Stranding installment. The studio’s current focus centers on two major projects: OD, a collaborative horror experience with Xbox Studios, and Physint, a stealth-action title developed alongside PlayStation. This diversified project portfolio suggests Death Stranding 3 remains in conceptual rather than active development phases.

Based on the compelling post-credit narrative and Kojima’s confirmed conceptual framework, we can reasonably anticipate future announcements regarding the franchise’s continuation. The established foundation enables numerous intriguing development possibilities:

Gameplay Evolution: Death Stranding 3 could introduce revolutionary mechanics building upon the delivery systems that defined the series. Potential innovations might include cooperative porter missions, dynamic environmental challenges that evolve based on player actions, and expanded social strand systems that deepen connection mechanics beyond previous implementations.

Narrative Directions: Tomorrow’s journey through the Plate Gate opens narrative possibilities across entirely new continents with distinct cultures, ecosystems, and supernatural phenomena. This approach could explore themes of intercontinental connection and cultural exchange while maintaining the philosophical depth characteristic of Kojima’s storytelling.

Development Timeline: Realistically, players should anticipate a significant waiting period before Death Stranding 3 materializes. With Kojima Productions committed to their current projects, development likely wouldn’t commence for several years. However, the conceptual groundwork ensures that when resources become available, the project could advance rapidly.

The franchise’s future appears secure, with mechanisms in place for both immediate continuation and long-term sustainability. As with mastering complex game systems in titles like Battlefield weapon mechanics, understanding Death Stranding’s future requires recognizing both the established foundations and the potential for innovative evolution under new creative leadership.

Action Checklist

  • Replay Death Stranding 2’s final chapter to analyze the mid-credits scene details
  • Study Plate Gate mechanics and their implications for interdimensional travel systems
  • Follow Kojima Productions announcements for project updates and potential DS3 reveals
  • Analyze character development arcs for Tomorrow and supporting characters to predict narrative directions
  • Explore similar franchise transitions in gaming history to understand potential creative direction changes

No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » Will We Get Death Stranding 3? Here’s What Hideo Kojima Has to Say Exploring Death Stranding 3's potential storyline, gameplay innovations, and Kojima's creative vision for the franchise future