Few video game directors become celebrities outside their industry, but Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid director Hideo Kojima broke the mold.
Just recently, Kojima shared that he received a back injury but is still adamant about working on the game. He posts that he’s back at work, but fans can’t help but tease him a little for the posts.
Get Well Soon, Kojima-Sensei!
His assistant, Ayako Terashima, has shared photos of Kojima in the studio. One image features Kojima sitting on a chair that will supposedly be better for his back. Terashima has also shared a photo of Kojima working while standing up.
The posts seem to be good-natured ribbing; fans are posting suggestive edits of Kojima’s recovery method. Here are some of the photos appearing online:
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click to enlarge + 4There are also people posting reaction images to Kojima’s butt (bonus points for Metal Gear references):
click to enlarge + 4It’s also funny that some suggested he get an exoskeleton suit because that’s exactly what the Death Stranding character Heartman has in the sequel. He even shows off that he can pass out in the suit and fall asleep on his feet.
What Should Fans Expect from Death Stranding 2?
When it comes to the marketing of the first Death Stranding game, Kojima Productions had been purposeful in their vague marketing, relying heavily on visuals and vibe to sell the game.
Probably the simplest description for Death Stranding is that players take control of Sam Bridges (Norman Reedus), a delivery person in the apocalypse where the world is plagued by monsters that have forced humans into hiding. Sam’s job may seem menial, but he becomes essential in humanity once again connecting with each other via the packages that he delivers.
After the game released, it was considered to be a glorified sci-fi walking simulator, but a lot of fans have praised Kojima’s actual structuring for the game and its meta emphasis on themes of connection and humanity.
With the first game taking place in an alien-torn United States, the sequel is said to be expanding the world and having Sam travelling to other countries to try and help them connect with each other.
click to enlarge + 4Hideo Kojima: Video Game Auteur
While fans expect certain things for any AAA title, there has been a tendency for big studios to play it pretty safe—which is pretty much what happened with Star Wars Outlaws.
With Kojima’s reputation as someone who thinks out of the box though, fans who will be lining up for Death Stranding 2 are already expecting something that they possibly can’t conceive. It would just be disappointing if the sequel turns out to be something predictable.
Hopefully that won’t be the case with DS2. Fingers crossed KojiPro makes an update on the game before the year ends.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is expected to launch for the PS5 sometime in 2025.
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