Why Death Stranding 3 May Still Happen One Day

Summary

Kojima says no to directing a potential Death Stranding 3, possibly leaving it up to others.
A roadmap exists for Death Stranding 3, but risks include straying from the original vision and story closure.
The Death Stranding franchise expands with a movie and anime, hinting at a potential third game down the line.

Over five years since the first game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is finally almost here, primed and ready to expand on the story, world, and unorthodox gameplay mechanics introduced by its predecessor. Despite being more of a cult hit initially, over time, Death Stranding has garnered a considerable following, which is great news for Hideo Kojima’s fairly new studio, Kojima Productions. Now, Death Stranding 2 is prepared to carry that success even further with improvements to gameplay that should, in theory, open the door to a much broader audience.

Unfortunately, it has seemed more and more likely lately that Death Stranding‘s legacy could come to an end with the launch of the sequel. In a recent interview with VGC, Hideo Kojima confirmed that, while he does already have a concept for a third game, he does not plan to direct it. Ultimately, this means that Death Stranding 2 could be the last game fans get from the series, especially if it underperforms. That being said, the possibility of Death Stranding 3 happening shouldn’t be written off too hastily, as there may yet be an opportunity for it to be realized, even without Kojima’s involvement.

Death Stranding 2 Is Already Making One Thing Clear About Sam

Sam isn’t the broken wanderer he once was, and Death Stranding 2 makes it clear that his next journey is shaped by purpose, not by pain or obligation.

Kojima May Step Back, But Death Stranding Might March On

Kojima’s Concept for Death Stranding 3 Might Be a Roadmap

Currently, it’s unclear just how extensive Hideo Kojima’s concept for Death Stranding 3 goes, but it might at least be enough to kickstart a third game if someone at Kojima Productions chose to take the idea and run with it, even after Kojima himself has opted out of heading up the project. With enough details, the studio could build on the foundation laid by the first two games to create a third. If that’s the case, then fans could expect Death Stranding 3 to eventually materialize, though it would be a bit of a gamble without Kojima’s involvement.

In a recent interview with VGC, Hideo Kojima confirmed that, while he does already have a concept for a third game, he does not plan to direct it.

The most prominent danger someone other than Hideo Kojima would face in developing Death Stranding 3 is potentially alienating the series’ most dedicated fans if something were done to compromise the IP’s identity. Another risk in developing a third Death Stranding game is that Death Stranding 2 could end on a very definitive note and leave little to no room for a third entry. Since Kojima has stated that he will not be directing a third game if there is one, it’s likely he has already planned for Death Stranding 2 to conclude the series in a way that it wouldn’t make sense for a third installment to keep it going. Nevertheless, it’s still possible Death Stranding 3 could happen, given the existence of a concept for it already.

The Death Stranding Franchise Is Already Expanding

Something else to consider when it comes to whether Death Stranding 3 could eventually happen is the fact that the IP is already expanding beyond its initial borders. Currently, both a Death Stranding movie and an anime are in development, suggesting Kojima Productions wants to build Death Stranding into a larger multimedia property. The more the Death Stranding universe grows, the more likely a third game in the series becomes, even if it’s an entirely different experience from what fans are familiar with.

Even if Death Stranding 2 ends the story Kojima set out to tell, the growing presence of the franchise and the developer’s concept for a third game suggest the world of Death Stranding may not be finished just yet. Kojima Productions has already proven it can handle ambitious projects, and should the team ever decide to revisit this universe, Death Stranding 3 could still find a way to materialize. It may take time, but the groundwork is already there for the series to continue, long after its creator steps away.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Systems

Released: June 26, 2025
ESRB: Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Engine: Decima
Franchise: Death Stranding
Number of Players: Single-player
PS5 Release Date: June 26, 2025